Skip the boring tuna salad and make this avocado tuna salad packed with fresh cilantro, avocado and ranch. Whip this simple salad up in just 5 minutes. Tuna will never be the same again!
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Love tuna but hate mayo? This Avocado Ranch Tuna Salad is for you then.
There are quite a few who are not mayonnaise fans can still enjoy a delicious tuna salad thanks to avocado!
I also have a not-so-tuna salad for my vegetarian friends--I have made this Vegan Chickpea "Tuna" Salad for several parties and get rave reviews from even my biggest meat eaters. Serve it up on crackers and everyone's happy!
If you are a mayo fan, try this Strawberry Pecan Chicken Salad as well! And if you are interested in all things salad, check out our list of favorite salad recipes!
Why You Will Love This Avocado Ranch Tuna Salad:
- Simple to whip up--only about 5 minutes! Doesn't take long to make this flavorful avocado ranch tuna salad recipe. Mash the avocados and toss all the ingredients together.
- Packed with protein. Tuna on its own is one thing, but adding avocado makes for a protein filled recipe.
- It's so delicious! No reason to make the same old tuna salad. The addition of avocado adds a level of creaminess to start but the ranch and cilantro take it to the next level of flavor. Simple ingredients to make your tuna incredible.
What You Will Need:
- tuna: most cans are 5 oz. so two cans will do for this recipe.
- avocado: nice and ripe--make sure they are really soft.
- ranch dressing: you can use your favorite. Heck, maybe you have a homemade ranch dressing around, bonus!
- cilantro: freshly chopped for the best flavor
- red onion: you can most certainly skip the onion if desired, my husband is not a fan so I omit it often.
- lemon juice: This will really help if you are not planning on eating the tuna salad right away. Lemon will help keep the avocado from browning too much.
- garlic powder: I just add a dash or two since there is already plenty of seasoning in the ranch dressing. Add a bit more if desired.
Recipe Tips:
- Keep your avocado tuna salad from browning. If you want to keep the avocado in this tuna salad from browning, add plastic wrap over the tuna and press it into it before putting the lid on the airtight container. This will help keep it from browning much before serving.
- Chill your avocado tuna salad for the most flavor. It isn't 100% necessary to chill this tuna salad before digging in, however if you can, I encourage it. The flavor is so much better if you give the flavors some time to really meld.
- Vary the flavor with lime juice instead of lemon juice. Since we are working with cilantro, perhaps a bit of lime juice versus the lemon juice is worth a try??
Other Tuna Salad Recipes:
- AVOCADO AND WHITE BEAN LETTUCE WRAPS
- VEGAN CHICKPEA "TUNA" SALAD
- SPINACH MANDARIN SALAD WITH HONEY BALSAMIC DRESSING
- STRAWBERRY POPPY SEED CHICKEN SALAD
- SIMPLE CAPRESE FARRO SALAD
- BLACK BEAN CAULIFLOWER RICE SALAD
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Avocado Ranch Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- 10 oz tuna in water
- 2 small avocados, ripe
- ¼ c chopped red onion
- 2 T Ranch dressing
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ¼ c chopped cilantro (I use a heaping ¼ cup)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Sea salt and pepper to taste
- Dash of garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Remove seeds and scoop avocado into a medium bowl and mash.
- Add in ranch, onion, cilantro, lemon juice and spices and mix well. If you prefer a touch more of garlic (depends on how strong the garlic tastes in your ranch dressing) add that as well.
- Chill for about 15 minutes before serving.
- Store in refrigerator in airtight container for 1-2 days. To keep the avocado from browning, put plastic wrap over the tuna and press it into the tuna and then add the lid on your container.
Notes
- Keep your avocado tuna salad from browning. If you want to keep the avocado in this tuna salad from browning, add plastic wrap over the tuna and press it into it before putting the lid on the airtight container. This will help keep it from browning much before serving.
- Chill your avocado tuna salad for the most flavor. It isn't 100% necessary to chill this tuna salad before digging in, however if you can, I encourage it. The flavor is so much better if you give the flavors some time to really meld.
- Vary the flavor with lime juice instead of lemon juice. Since we are working with cilantro, perhaps a bit of lime juice versus the lemon juice is worth a try??
Jennifer says
This sandwich looks so amazing!!! I don't think I have ever mixed avocado and tuna together, but it totally makes sense. And they are two of my favorite foods!!! Thanks for the recipe!
Lorie says
Seriously Jennifer, it’s a game changer!
Lyndsey says
I love seeing new tune recipes! I will be trying this I love that Mayo is not used in this recipe and I can not wait to try it out.
Lorie says
Hope you love it!
Johanne says
So sorry that you had a difficult relationship with food. The best of luck on this new food journey with your son! As for the recipe: yum! I love avocado and if I could I would put cilantro in everything, haha.
Lorie says
Amen on the cilantro!
Paula says
Looks so yummy and perfect for a quick lunch
Lorie says
Exactly, my favorite kind of lunch!
Mimi says
I love anything with avocado and tuna sandwiches are the best, such a great combo
Lorie says
Agree!
Erin Haugerud says
This sounds super good! I'm going to have to try it out!
Lorie says
Hope you love it, Erin!
Devi says
ONG! Mouth watering! Can't wait to try it! Thanx a lot!
Lorie says
You bet! Hope you love it Devi!
candy says
Putting avocado on anything always makes it taste better in my book of food. Hubby loves tuna so whites would be a winner at our house.
Lorie says
Amen, Candy!
Sue says
Can't wait to try this! My sweetie hates mayo but loves tuna... this sounds like a delicious alternative!
Lorie says
Yea, the avocado changes everything!
Amber Stanfield says
I’m not a huge fan of avocado but this looks delicious and I love Tuna Salad Sandwiches. I’m definitely going to have to give this recipe a try. Thanks for sharing!
Lorie says
Absolutely, enjoy Amber!