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Tuna and Potato Salad

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You will love this mayo-free Tuna and Potato Salad with capers. With 6 simple ingredients and just 25 minutes, you can whip up a healthy potato salad that’s perfect for any occasion. 

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Let me introduce you to the easiest potato salad you will ever make. It is delicious too!

Tuna and Potato salad is made with 6 basic pantry ingredients and makes an amazing side dish or a light main course. 

It takes a classic comfort food recipe and makes it healthier by adding a lot more flavor.

 In fact this potato and tuna salad recipe might taste better than heavy potato salad. A large serving of this over a bed of leafy greens makes a perfect light dinner.

Whether you need more easy recipes everyone will love or are looking for a way to get more healthy food with lots of flavor, this potato tuna fish salad is a great one to start with.

All ingredients laid out on counter for Tuna and Potato Salad

What Ingredients Are in Tuna and Potato Salad?

  • Small Round Baby Potatoes: Creamy texture and mild flavor. I like yukon gold, but red potatoes are great too.
  • Tuna: A protein-packed star of the dish.
  • Red Onion: Adds a hint of sharpness and color.
  • Capers: The zesty, briny pop that elevates the salad.
  • Lemon: Provides a refreshing citrus kick.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Drizzled for a touch of richness.

Pro Tip: I like to add a turn of fresh ground black pepper to the top of my tuna fish salad with potatoes for just a hint of spice, but this step is optional.

Potatoes boiled in water

How to Make Tuna and Potato Salad:

  1. Boil potatoes until fork-tender, then remove with a slotted spoon and cool to room temperature.
  2. Quarter cooled potatoes and add to a large bowl.
  3. Then toss cooked potatoes with tuna, red onion, and capers.
  4. Add lemon juice, drizzle with olive oil, and season to taste.
  5. Give them a gentle toss until well combined.

Pro Tips: 

  • Let the salad chill in the fridge for an hour before serving to bring out the flavors.
  • You can speed cooling the potatoes down by letting them sit in a cold water ice bath for a few minutes. This will give you more of an “al dente” potato instead of a softer more mashed potato texture.
cooked potatoes diced

Can You Make Tuna and Potato Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes you can make potato tuna salad ahead of time! Prepare the salad a few hours in advance and refrigerate. The flavors meld, creating an even more delicious dish.

Pro Tip: Save some capers and lemon to add a fresh touch just before serving.

Cut potatoes added to serving bowl

How to Store Tuna and Potato Salad:

Store tuna and potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Even though this is a mayo-free potato salad, you want to keep it chilled when you are not serving it.

Pro Tip: If the salad looks a bit dry after refrigerating it, a drizzle of olive oil can revive its moisture.

Tuna, Red onion and capers added to potatoes

How Long Does Tuna and Potato Salad Last?

Potato and Tuna Salad can last for 2 days if stored properly. After that, the potato texture changes from sitting in the lemon dressing.

Can You Freeze Tuna and Potato Salad?

No, you should not freeze this potato and tuna salad recipe. The potatoes get mushy when frozen and thawed. Enjoy it fresh for the best experience.

Pro Tip: Make a smaller batch if you’re concerned about leftovers.

All ingredients tossed together and ready to serve

Is Tuna and Potato Salad Keto?

No, even though potatoes with skin have a lot of nutrients, this tuna salad with potatoes is not keto. I have not found any dish with potatoes that is keto friendly. 

Potatoes are high on the glycemic index which means they will affect your blood sugar levels very quickly. The point of ketosis is to keep your blood sugars low to help with fat burning.

Pro Tip: Some people have adjusted this recipe to use sweet potatoes and smaller portions to fit your keto macros. Or find another recipe to keep you consistent without counting macros.

side view of Potato and Tuna Fish salad in serving bowl

Is Tuna and Potato Salad Gluten-Free?

Yes this potato salad recipe is gluten-free! All the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this a safe option for gluten-sensitive individuals.

Pro TipDouble-check the tuna label to ensure it’s gluten-free. Prepackaged items sometimes sneak gluten into the strangest foods.

zoomed out image of two bowls of keto potato salad

Is Tuna and Potato Salad Healthy?

Yes, tuna potato salad is healthy! Packed with protein, vitamins, and healthy fats, this salad is a great choice for a healthy lunch. 

The absence of mayo in this tuna potato salad recipe keeps it light and nutritious.

Pro Tip: Customize your salad with extra veggies like cherry tomatoes or cucumber for added nutritional value.

zoomed in image of Mayonnaise free tuna fish and potato salad

What to Serve with Tuna and Potato Salad:

Serve tuna fish and potato salad with your favorite main dish like Plain Chicken Breast in Air Fryer, Smoked Chicken Tacos, or over a bed of leafy greens for a complete meal. My favorite way to serve it is on the go in a lettuce wrap or tortilla for easy on the go eating.

If you’re looking for other side dishes to serve with it for a complete side dish meal, check out these Salads!

side view of tuna fish and potato salad in bowl

Whether you are looking for a potato salad without mayonnaise or just have too many potatoes and need new ideas, this potato and tuna fish salad dish is tasty and delicious. It can be made ahead of time which makes it perfect for feeding a crowd or serving on those busy weeknights.

Yield: 4 Servings

Tuna and Potato Salad

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Indulge in this mayonnaise free Tuna and Potato Salad with zesty capers. Quick, easy, and versatile, it's a perfect side for any occasion.

Instructions

  1. Place potatoes in a pot on the stove and cover with cold, lightly salted water.
  2. Bring to a boil.
  3. Boil gently until fork tender, between 10 and 15 minutes.
  4. Remove potatoes to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.
  5. Once cooled, halve potatoes lengthwise and then crosswise.
  6. Toss potatoes in salad bowl with tuna, red onion and capers.
  7. Add lemon and toss.
  8. Drizzle with olive oil until desired consistency.
  9. Salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 285Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 317mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 4gSugar: 10gProtein: 15g

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