White Bean Tuna Salad
Updated Feb 12, 2026
A high-protein white bean tuna salad with 38g protein per serving, made without mayo and tossed in olive oil and lemon juice.
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My White Bean Tuna Salad is So Good!
I’m sure you’ve had tuna salad before, but I can guarantee you haven’t tried one like this! This white bean tuna salad has more protein (and fiber!) because of canned beans, and it’s super filling. Unlike traditional tuna salad, I like to skip the mayonnaise and use a dressing made of olive oil, hot sauce, and lemon juice that’s delicious, but still light. The avocado makes it creamy, I don’t even miss the mayo. My go-to ways of eating this tuna and cannellini bean salad are on top of toast as an open-faced sandwich, with mixed greens, or scooped up with pita chips or crackers!
White Bean Tuna Salad Ingredients
- White beans: I love the texture of white beans, but chickpeas are a great alternative for this recipe!
- Canned tuna: I like to use albacore tuna in water, but feel free to use any type of canned tuna you like.
- Avocado: Look for a ripe, soft avocado. It’s the creamy part, so you really want it to easily blend in.
- Olive oil: I prefer the taste of olive oil, but you can sub in avocado oil if you like.
- Lemon juice: You’ll need 1 fresh lemon for 4 tablespoons of juice!
- Hot sauce: I like to use a splash of hot sauce in this white bean tuna salad, but you can also try ½ teaspoon (or a teaspoon if you like it REALLY spicy) of red pepper flakes or cayenne instead!
How to Make White Bean Tuna Salad
White Bean Tuna Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans drained and rinsed
- 2 (5-ounce) cans albacore tuna drained
- 2 avocados diced
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the white beans, tuna, and avocado. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice and hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Stir everything together carefully to avoid mashing the avocado too much.
- Serve immediately, or chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Variations
- Add crunch: Stir in ¼ to ⅓ cup finely chopped celery, 2–3 tablespoons finely diced red onion, or sliced green onions for more texture.
- Add herbs: Fresh dill works really well here. I’d use 1–2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, but if you only have dried, ½ to ¾ teaspoon dried dill is enough.
- Make it Mediterranean: Add ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped cucumber, or 1–2 tablespoons capers.
- Make it creamy (still no mayo): Add 1–2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt if you want it slightly more bound together.
- Turn it into a sandwich filling: Mash it slightly and pile onto toasted sourdough or stuff into pita pockets.
Recipe Tips
- Drain your tuna. If you’re using tuna that’s packed in water, make sure to drain the water off. That said, if the tuna is packed in oil, you can add it with the oil (just note that the recipe’s nutrition facts won’t be accurate).
- Stir carefully. You want to mix your white bean tuna salad well, but try not to be too vigorous. You don’t want to mash the avocado or crush the beans!
Serving Ideas
- Serve with bread. I love to make a traditional tuna melt with this white bean tuna salad, but it’s also great in a wrap with a flour tortilla, or served on a slice of air fryer bread.
- Add a side. For something a bit more filling, I love eating this salad alongside my air fried baby potatoes, my crispy zucchini fries, or my baked sweet potato chips.
FAQs
Add more dressing! A splash of olive oil, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or a tablespoon of yogurt can help bring moisture back to the salad. If it’s still too dry, try mixing in a small amount of mayonnaise or a bit of the liquid from the canned tuna for extra flavor and creaminess.
Comments
This was SO good! It made a ton and Iโve eaten it for three days and shared it too and still have plenty left. Iโll probably half it next time but thatโs the only thing Iโd change! Absolutely delicious!! Iโm making this again for the upcoming weekend! Thank you!!!
Amazing!! Aww, so glad you love it! Thank you, Stacey!!
Love how easy this was to make! It’s tangy and delicious with lots of protein and healthy fats. I will definitely make it again!
Yay, so glad you love it!! Thanks!
So healthy and delicious! Always looking for ways to incorporate more beans into our diet and this is perfect. Thanks for the recipe.
When I finished the recipe I tried a sample and I found myself saying what Yumna says at the end of her videos: โSo good!โ I wasnโt sure how the combo of beans and tuna would go. But it was so good! The lemon juice and hot sauce were key. I like my food a bit spicy so I added extra hot sauce. Iโll definitely be making this again! And again!
Aww, so happy you liked it!! Love that you made it your own and added extra spice. Thank you so much, Amy!
I’m 80 already (how did that happen!) with thousands of saved recipes. This and other of Yumna’s recipes are delicious AND healthy, two characteristics that aren’t always found together. I wish I had found her website when I was 20.
Aww so happy you love my recipes, Hope! Thank you so much!!