This Tuna Caesar Salad is a delicious twist on the traditional Caesar, blending creamy and crunchy textures. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a light dinner, this dish is versatile enough to fit any occasion. The rich flavors can be enjoyed on their own, but itโs also great served over a slice of crusty bread or on top of a cracker for a simple snack. It's a great way to elevate a classic while keeping things quick and convenient.

I love this Tuna Caesar Salad on pumpernickel bread and in lettuce wraps, similar to these Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps and my Crispy Onion Shrimp Lettuce Tacos. My husband prefers spreading it on crackers or rolling it in a tortilla wrap. Itโs such a versatile dishโyou can enjoy it any way you like! I usually make a big bowl of it for dinner and pack leftovers for lunch the next day. It's also perfect for making sandwiches for kids' lunches!
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Ingredients
- Tuna: Choose tuna packed in olive oil for richer flavor and moisture. You can also use water-packed tuna, as a healthier, lower-calorie option.
- Eggs: Depending on your preference, soft-boiled (6-7 minutes) gives a creamier yolk, while hard-boiled (10-12 minutes) provides a firmer texture. I prefer hard-boiled eggs for this recipe.
- Lettuce: Romaine lettuce is traditional for Caesar salads because of its crisp texture, which contrasts nicely with the creamy dressing. Avoid iceberg lettuce since itโs less flavorful and lacks that ideal crunch.
- Red Onion: Like in this Burrata Cheese with Marinated Mushrooms and Tomato Salsa recipe, thinly sliced or diced red onions add a mild sharpness to the salad, even though they arenโt typically found in a Caesar salad. But then again, neither is tuna!
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmigiano-Reggiano (the real deal!) has a nutty, sharp flavor that elevates the salad. Pre-shredded parmesan is convenient but it lacks that fresh flavor of block cheese, which you can grate or shave directly over the salad.
- Caesar Salad Dressing: You can make your own Caesar Salad Dressing or you can go with store-bought for convenience. If buying, choose dressings with real anchovies or anchovy paste listed in the ingredients for authentic Caesar flavor.
- Croutons: The smaller, the better, as the tuna salad can also double as a spread or a crispy filling for deviled eggs. If mini or tiny croutons aren't available, you can easily break larger ones into smaller pieces by hand.
see the recipe card at the end of the post for the ingredient quantities
Substitutions and variations
- Lettuce: You can also use mixed greens, baby spinach, or kale. Butter lettuce or arugula also work well for a softer or peppery flavor.
- Croutons: Use toasted nuts, like almonds or walnuts, or seeds (sunflower or pumpkin) for extra crunch. You may also like to try using crispy onions, like we do in this Crispy Onion Shrimp Lettuce Tacos and our Sweet and Crunchy Beet Salad. Gluten-free croutons or toasted chickpeas can also be used for a gluten-free version.
- Red Onion: Green onions (scallions), or thinly sliced radishes, as I used in this Asparagus and Mango Salad Recipe, for a milder taste.
- Add Vegetables: Toss in cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted red peppers, or avocado slices to add color, flavor, and nutrients.
- Make It Spicy: Add a kick by mixing in a bit of sriracha or hot sauce to the dressing or sprinkle red pepper flakes over the salad.
- Low-Carb Variation: Skip the croutons entirely and replace them with extra veggies, like roasted cauliflower or zucchini chips.
Preparation
STEP 1: Cook the eggs
Boil the eggs to your desired doneness (hard or soft), peel them, then place them in a large salad bowl and mash.
STEP 2: Add canned tuna
Drain the canned tuna and add it to the bowl with the mashed eggs. Stir in the Caesar dressing, mixing and mashing everything until well combined.
STEP 3: Combine
Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and gently stir until everything is well combined.
Top Tips
- Ensure you drain the canned tuna thoroughly to avoid excess moisture in the salad. Pressing it lightly with a fork can help remove any extra liquid, especially if you're using water-packed tuna.
- Grating parmesan cheese directly from a block rather than using pre-shredded or powdered versions provides a richer, more authentic flavor.
- To save time, you can prep the boiled eggs, chop the lettuce, and slice the onions in advance, storing them separately until youโre ready to assemble the salad.
- You can also add a pinch of freshly cracked pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, fresh tuna is a great alternative. You can grill, sear, or bake a tuna steak to your preferred doneness, then flake it into the salad. You may need to add a little more dressing for additional moisture.
Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If possible, keep the croutons separate to avoid sogginess.
Solid white albacore tuna has a firm texture and mild flavor, while light tuna has a softer texture with more flavor.
Serving suggestions
Serve the salad on its own, as a spread on bread or crackers, or use it as a filling to make deviled eggs, similar to these Cod Liver Deviled Eggs. I usually like to serve the Tuna Caesar Salad with my Oven Roasted Potato Cubes and this Cheesy Chicken with Mushrooms Recipe. If you're serving the salad at a dinner party, they're great alongside some appetizers, such as these Caprese Salad With Microgreens and Cinnamon Pineapple and Beef Appetizer.
Other nutritious salad recipes
If you tried this Tuna Caesar Salad or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ๐ star rating and let me know how it went in the ๐ comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Tuna Caesar Salad
Equipment
- Sauce Pan For cooking the eggs
- Cutting Board for cutting the lettuce and red onion
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 can tuna flaked and in olive oil preferred
- 3 tablespoons Caesar dressing
- 1 cup lettuce chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 cup croutons
Instructions
- Boil the eggs to your desired doneness (10 minutes for hard or 6 minutes for soft), peel them, then place them in a large salad bowl and mash.2 large eggs
- Drain the canned tuna and add it to the bowl with the mashed eggs. Stir in the Caesar dressing, mixing and mashing everything until well combined.1 can tuna, 3 tablespoons Caesar dressing
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and gently stir until everything is well combined.1 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup red onion, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup croutons
Notes
- Ensure you drain the canned tuna thoroughly to avoid excess moisture in the salad. Pressing it lightly with a fork can help remove any extra liquid, especially if you're using water-packed tuna.
- Grating parmesan cheese directly from a block rather than using pre-shredded or powdered versions provides a richer, more authentic flavor.
- To save time, you can prep the boiled eggs, chop the lettuce, and slice the onions in advance, storing them separately until youโre ready to assemble the salad.
- You can also add a pinch of salt, freshly cracked pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors just before serving.
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