Warm Tuna Salad (Easy, No Mayo)

Name: Warm Tuna Salad (Easy, No Mayo)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 medium onion; 1/2 inch piece of ginger (about 1 teaspoon chopped); 2 cloves garlic, chopped; 12 oz can of Tuna in water; 3 stalks celery; 1/2 cup red cabbage (approximately 1/4 of a very small cabbage); 1 teaspoon mustard seeds; 1/2 teaspoon cumin; 1/4 teaspoon turmeric; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper (or according to your preference); 1 teaspoon sesame seeds; 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice; 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil

ByShashi CharlesUpdated on October 19, 2026

This warm tuna salad is a quick, spiced, mayo-free way to turn a can of tuna into a comforting, high-protein meal. Canned tuna is tossed with sautéed onion, garlic, ginger, celery, mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and paprika, then finished with red cabbage, sesame seeds, and a squeeze of lemon. It is budget-friendly, high in protein, and perfect for the changing seasons. Eat it with a fork, scoop it up with celery or chips, or pile it in a sandwich.

Jump to Recipe

Bowl of warm easy tuna salad with a fork in it.

This warm tuna salad is different from classic tuna salad as it is made without any mayo. Aromatics and a delicious blend of spices make this salad taste so good, it never lasts long when I make it.

A quick glance at this warm tuna salad

No mayonnaise. Sautéed aromatics and spices give it flavor instead.
Budget-friendly. It’s made with pantry-staple ingredients such as a can of tuna and everyday vegetables.
Quick. One pan and less than 20 minutes from start to finish, including prep.
Versatile. Serve it as a warm salad, a dip, a sandwich filling, or over rice. While this recipe is for 2, it can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger family and/or to meal prep.
High protein. About 34 g of protein per serving.
Dairy-free. This warm tuna salad can fit into a lactose-free diet.

Ingredients and substitutions

Canned tuna: one large can of tuna in water, drained, or two small cans. I use albacore tuna when I make this warm salad.
Onion, garlic, and ginger: make up the flavor base. You can use a red onion or a yellow onion. Fresh onion, garlic, and ginger work best. Some grocery stores sell pre-chopped versions of these aromatics, and these can be used. But I would suggest refraining from swapping in powdered versions of these three.
Celery: adds crunch and freshness. Green bell pepper could be swapped in instead.
Red cabbage: adds color and crunch. Green cabbage or shredded carrot works too, though the color will differ.
Mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric, and paprika: these warm spices give the salad its depth. If you don’t have mustard seeds, leave them out.
Sesame seeds and lemon juice: finish the dish with nuttiness and brightness.
Extra Virgin Olive oil: or any neutral oil for sautéing.

Salt (or kosher salt) and black pepper are also needed to round off this dish.

Warm Tuna Salad in a bowl with celery and cabbage

Instructions

This salad comes together in a few simple steps:

Prep the ingredients. Peel and chop the onion, ginger, and garlic. Wash and chop the celery and cabbage.
Sauté the base. Cook the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger in olive oil until the onion is translucent and slightly golden, around the 10-minute mark.
Bloom the mustard seeds. Then add the mustard seeds and stir.
Add the tuna, celery, and spices. Stir in cumin, paprika and turmeric, along with the tuna and celery.
Finish with cabbage, sesame seeds and lemon. Add the cabbage last and cook only briefly so it keeps its vibrant color. Some fresh parsley can also be added as a garnish.

What to serve with warm tuna salad

With celery sticks, pita chips, or sliced English cucumber as a dip.
With my homemade Gouda rosemary crackers or jalapeño cheddar crackers.
Spoon it over cooked wild rice (a reader served it this way and loved it) or with pasta for a tuna pasta salad.
In a sandwich or lettuce wrap.
On a bed of lettuce or salad greens with lemon and capers.
This might sound different, but this warm tuna salad works well on a baked potato.
It can also be enjoyed with a side of dill pickles, sweet pickle relish, and hard-boiled eggs.

Warm Tuna Salad in two bowls with lemon and red cabbage on a cutting board

Storage and make-ahead tips

Store leftovers in an airtight bowl in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or the microwave, or enjoy it cold as a dip. Because the cabbage can lose some color when stored, add it fresh if you can.

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A trip down memory lane…

A while ago, Rachael Ray had a show titled “$40 a Day” on the Food Network. She would visit a city and eat at local hot spots for $40 a day or less. I loved that show, but I always thought $40 a day for one person was a lot.

When my daughter and I used to travel when she was younger, we would keep our food budget at about $40 a day for both of us. Staying at hotels with free breakfast was a bonus. Over the years, we have traveled through Disney, the Pacific Northwest, California, New York, Italy, Abu Dhabi, and London, and we have mostly stuck to it. It is still far more wiggle room than I had on my $40-a-week college budget!

Back during my college years, canned tuna played a big role. It was a delicious way to get lean protein, omega-3, healthy fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. When I realized my daughter was an adventurous eater, I started making jalapeños stuffed with tuna, this salmon pasta, this tuna salad on a baked potato (it sounds weird, but it tastes so good).

Warm Tuna Salad in a bowl surrounded with celery and chips.

Warm tuna salad FAQs

Can tuna salad be served warm?

Yes. Canned tuna is already cooked, so warming it simply heats it through and lets it soak up the spices.

Can I use tuna in oil instead of water?

Yes, but tuna in water is preferred. Make sure to drain the tuna well first.

Can I use fresh tuna?

This recipe is written for canned tuna. For fresh tuna steaks, you would sear them separately.

How do I keep the red cabbage from losing its color?

Add it at the very end and cook only for a minute or two.

Is warm tuna salad healthy?

It has about 333 calories and 34 g of protein per serving, with no mayo.

Looking for more warm salads?

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