PF
Close-up of a fresh tuna salad with vegetables and lemon garnish.
Stovetop~20 minComplexity

Italian Tuna Salad

This Italian Tuna Salad delivers 18g protein and 188 calories per serving — a lean, low-calorie lunch. Quick-preps 6 servings on the stovetop and holds reliably throughout the week. Use it as a filler meal during fat-loss phases or between higher-protein meals.

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Ingredients

6 servings
  • Tomatoes, Sun-Dried, Packed In Oil(80g)
  • Beans, Cannellini, Canned, Drained
  • Greek Yogurt (Nonfat)(120g)

    Plain Greek yogurt — nonfat (0%) or low-fat (2%). Not regular yogurt.

  • Olive oil(30g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Lemon Juice, Fresh(4g)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Onion powder(1g)
  • Canned Tuna(340g)
  • Celery(1200g)
  • Capers, Canned, Drained(45g)
  • Parsley, Fresh(30g)
  • English Muffins, Plain
  • Spinach

Instructions

  1. 1Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl and cover with hot water. Set aside to reconstitute for 10–15 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
  2. 2Add the drained cannellini beans (reserving about 1/4 of them) and Greek yogurt to a food processor. Blend for 2–3 minutes until the beans begin to break down and combine with the yogurt, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Process for another 1–2 minutes until smooth, scraping the bowl once or twice.
  3. 3Flake the drained tuna into a large mixing bowl, keeping it fairly chunky. Add the reserved whole cannellini beans, diced celery, drained capers, and chopped fresh parsley.
  4. 4Drain the sun-dried tomatoes and pat dry with paper towels. Add them to the tuna mixture.
  5. 5Pour the Greek yogurt dressing over the tuna mixture. Gently stir with a spatula to combine, then switch to a fork and continue stirring for 2–3 minutes until all ingredients are evenly distributed and no clumps remain.
  6. 6Toast the English muffins over medium heat or in a toaster for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  7. 7Divide the tuna salad evenly into 6 airtight containers while fresh. Layer each with fresh spinach or serve the salad on top of toasted English muffins.
  8. 8Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 4 days.

Nutrition — Per Serving

188

calories

18g

protein

9g

fat

Carbohydrates
11g
Saturated fat
1.5g
Sodium
596 mg
Dietary fiber
4.5g

6 servings per batch · ~308g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Italian Tuna Salad have per serving?

Each serving provides 18g of protein and only 188 calories, with 9g fat and 11g carbs. This is a lean, low-calorie option suited for high-volume eating without spiking daily totals.

How long does Italian Tuna Salad take to prep?

Italian Tuna Salad qualifies as quick prep and makes 6 servings in one batch, so you can prepare an entire week of lunches with minimal stovetop time. The ingredient list is short, keeping total prep time under 15 minutes.

Is Italian Tuna Salad good for fat loss?

At 188 calories and only 18g protein per serving, this recipe works best as a side or light lunch option rather than a standalone meal for fat loss. Pair it with additional protein sources or carbs to round out your macros for the day.

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