Tuna salad is typically a blend of two main ingredients: tuna and mayonnaise or mayonnaise-substitute. The tuna used is usually pre-cooked, canned, and packaged in water or oil. Pickles, hard-boiled egg, celery, relish, and onion are ingredients that are often added. When the spread is placed on bread, it makes a tuna salad sandwich. Tuna salad is also regularly served on top of lettuce, tomato, avocado, or crackers, or by itself.
Quick homemade tuna salad is often made by omitting the eggs and only adding relish to the tuna and mayonnaise.[1] Eggs are omitted because they must be cooked whereas the other ingredients are purchased ready to eat. Relish adds a piquant flavor but, unlike commonly added vegetables, requires no chopping.
In Belgium, the dish pêches au thon / perziken met tonijn (peaches with tuna) is made from halved canned or fresh peaches stuffed with tuna salad.[2] It is widespread throughout the country, and due to its ease of preparation, it is common fare at potlucks.
Tuna salad is sometimes made with a mashed avocado and a squeeze of lemon instead of mayonnaise as a healthier alternative in Tuna salad.