Home » Blog » Paleo Diet » Paleo Diet Recipes » Paleo Salad Recipes » 36 Terrific Paleo Tuna Recipes
Louise| July 24
Although any kind of fish is a great source of protein on a Paleo diet, tuna really takes the cake! Did you know that there is, on average, 29 grams of protein in every 100 grams of canned tuna fish? This is definitely an ingredient you’ll want to have in your kitchen all the time!
What I love even more is how versatile tuna is. Whether you love the ease of canned tuna fish, ready to eat on a moment’s notice, or an elegant grilled ahi tuna steak, this fish can please any palate.
I’ve put together 36 Paleo-friendly tuna recipes that showcase this delicious fish. I’ve made sure to include a whole range of recipes, from tuna salads that are ready to eat in under five minutes to Japanese-inspired ahi tuna sashimi, perfect for a gourmet dinner party.
Here are just a few of the Paleo Tuna Recipes we’ve included:
- Pan-Fried Apricot Tuna Salad Bites Recipe [Paleo, AIP]
- Lemon Black Pepper Tuna Salad Recipe [Keto, Paleo, AIP]
- Apple Curry Tuna Salad
- Paleo Italian Tuna Salad Recipe
- Paleo Coconut Tuna Fish Cakes Recipe [Keto, Grain-Free, Nut-Free]
- Paleo Tuna Casserole Recipe [Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free]
- Roasted Cauliflower Broccoli Tuna Bowl [Paleo, Keto, AIP]
If you click or tap any of the links above, it will instantly take you to the recipe below. Or download the entire list by clicking on the green button below.
Paleo Tuna Salads
Pan-Fried Apricot Tuna Salad Bites Recipe [Paleo, AIP]
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: apricots, tuna flakes, thyme leaves, olive oil, sea salt, coconut oil, blueberries.
This paleo-friendly dish would make such a pretty appetizer for your next dinner party! You have a lovely combination of colors, textures and flavors from the tuna and the fruit and a good herby taste from the thyme. These could be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge or could be a great low carb snack for lunchtime. These are best made with really ripe apricots as they are softest.
Lemon Black Pepper Tuna Salad Recipe [Keto, Paleo, AIP]
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: cucumber, avocado, lemon juice, tuna, paleo mayo, mustard, salt, salad greens, black pepper.
Tuna is a delicious meaty fish and if you are using canned, it can be a great way to make a satisfying paleo meal at a reduced cost, making it ideal for people on a lower budget, or for larger families. Combining the fish with fresh cucumber and creamy soft avocado gives you a combination of flavor and texture that will be guaranteed to please for a light summery meal or a quick snack.
Apple Curry Tuna Salad
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: tuna, apples, curly parsley, mayo, curry powder, salt.
The ingredients in this paleo salad make fifteen servings, but you can cut them in half to make less if there are only two of you! This tuna salad has a slight curry flavor and is not too strong and the apple adds a lovely fresh flavor and great texture to complement the soft tuna. As canned tuna can be sourced quite cheaply this would be the perfect recipe for a larger family and the salad can be served as it is or on lettuce leaves.
Paleo Italian Tuna Salad Recipe
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: sun-dried tomatoes, tuna, ribs of celery, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, salt, pepper.
The garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in this dish give the Italian influence and work well with the soft tuna. Canned tuna can be sourced quite cheaply, so this would be a budget-friendly dish for the family for a low carb paleo lunch. You can serve this in cucumber boats or, instead of adding the chopped celery, you could cut the celery into pieces and load the tuna salad onto them.
Simple & Sneaky Tuna Salad
– Meatified
Photo Credit: Rach from Meatified
Ingredients: avocados, wild caught tuna, skinless boneless sardines in olive oil, red onion, lemon juice, fine sea salt or himalayan salt, salted capers, cilantro, parsley or chives, lettuce or mixed greens, sweet potato chips, plantain strips or plantain chips.
This may be a simple salad but with the addition of the sardines it is packed with flavor. Tuna salad is great for paleo people as it is quick to make and filling enough for lunch if you serve it over greens or with some plantain chips for added crunch. The textures in this paleo recipe are great as you have soft fish, crunchy celery and the smooth and creamy avocado, all finished with a squeeze of lemon for a citrus kick.
Super Simple Tuna Fish Salad
– The Healthy Foodie
Photo Credit: Sonia from The Healthy Foodie
Ingredients: mixed greens, tomato, parsley, mint, kalamata olives, zucchini, avocado, green onion, light tuna, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, himalayan or fine sea salt, black pepper.
Although this is a simple recipe, the tuna salad has a lot of textures and a rainbow of colors from the tomato and olives and would look great on your dinner table! The flavors almost have an Italian feel, so this would be a great appetizer for your next Italian-themed dinner. There are also fresh mint and parsley in this recipe, giving this salad a different taste to your regular tuna salad.
Green Peas And Tuna Salad
– The Healthy Foodie
Photo Credit: Sonia from The Healthy Foodie
Ingredients: wild caught albacore tuna, green peas, capers, seedless cucumber, belgian endive, green onion, iceberg lettuce, alfalfa sprouts, raw walnuts, non-dairy greek yogurt, garlic, white balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, thyme, himalayan salt, black pepper.
This tuna salad uses frozen peas which can be found everywhere, but if you get the chance to buy fresh, they would also work well. It also uses alfalfa which is rich in vitamins and is a good source of calcium but if you can’t get it you could use bean sprouts. This healthy paleo recipe is easy to make and, with its lovely creamy dressing, tastes delicious served on lettuce or endive leaves.
Paleo Tuna Salad
– Paleo Effect
Photo Credit: Meghan & Angel from The Paleo Effect
Ingredients: albacore tuna, celery rib, shallot, garlic, paleo mayo, paleo dill pickle relish, lemon juice, stoneground mustard, dill, parsley, onion powder, cayenne pepper, coarse sea salt, black pepper, paleo white bread.
Tuna salad has been a favorite in many families for years and has the tendency to be a bit boring sometimes. Well, not this one! It has spice, crunch and tastes so good! You can serve this on toasted paleo bread as a sandwich or use it as a filling for a baked sweet potato, but it also makes a fantastic lunchbox dish to take to work with you or to pack for the kids at school.
Easy Tuna Salad
– A Girl Worth Saving
Photo Credit: Kelly from A Girl Worth Saving
Ingredients: tuna, eggs, mayo, dijon mustard, garlic powder, red onion, paleo bread.
This easy paleo recipe can be prepared and ready to eat in under ten minutes which is perfect for busy people to rustle up for a simple salad for lunch served with greens or eaten as it is. It has only one gram of carbohydrate and fits well with your paleo plan. This dish also packs more protein than some tuna salads because it has boiled eggs as well, although this can be omitted for anyone with egg intolerance.
Paleo Tuna Cakes & Boats
Paleo Coconut Tuna Fish Cakes Recipe [Keto, Grain-Free, Nut-Free]
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: tuna or salmon, basil, jalapeno, eggs, coconut flour, coconut flakes, olive oil, salt, coconut oil.
These delicious fish cakes are grain and nut free and taste amazing, even just on their own without any sauce or garnish. They can be stored for a few days in the refrigerator so you could have lunch all ready for through the week. If you don’t have tuna handy, any other strong fish such as salmon or even sardines would work here. I like to add some finely chopped parsley to the mix before frying.
Tuna Cakes with Green Olives
– Meatified
Photo Credit: Rach from Meatified
Ingredients: sweet potato, cauliflower rice, tuna, green olives, sea salt, coconut oil or animal fat.
With most fish cake recipes you need to use egg to bind the mixture, but this is a grain and egg free paleo and AIP recipe that uses mashed sweet potato as the binder instead. You will probably not need to add any salt to this dish as the tuna and olives have their own saltiness, so taste it first! This is an adaptable recipe as you can use salmon instead of tuna and a different root like parsnip if you don’t have white sweet potato.
Bacon Tuna Boats
– Popular Paleo
Photo Credit: Ciarra from Popular Paleo
Ingredients: tuna fish, bacon, scallions, parsley, celery, mrs. dash original seasoning blend, avocado, lemon juice, black pepper, english cucumber.
This is a perfect paleo recipe for people who don’t, or can’t, use mayonnaise to bind the salad together. The creamy texture of the avocado makes a fabulous substitute, making this salad a great filling for cucumber boats. You may like to peel the cucumbers first as the skin can be slightly tough, but you can tell when you cut them whether you need to do this.
Whole 30 Tuna Poke Avocado Boats
– Anya’s Eats
Ingredients: sushi-grade tuna, coconut aminos, toasted sesame oil, cucumber, macadamia nuts, black sesame seeds, avocados.
This recipe uses raw tuna, but if you buy sushi-grade tuna it is delicious. These boats look great for an appetizer for a dinner party or for a lunch. As the fish is raw, use these up in a couple of days and keep them in the fridge. Instead of the sesame seeds you could try nigella (black onion) seeds, then just enjoy this great paleo dish!
Spicy Tuna Cakes
– Nom Nom Paleo
Ingredients: ghee, albacore tuna, scallions, cilantro, baked sweet potato, lemon zest, jalapeño pepper, eggs, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, ground black pepper, lemons wedges.
Canned tuna is something you find in most store cupboards, so why not spice it up and try making these delicious paleo-friendly fish cakes! The flavor of the tuna is strong enough that it can easily carry the heat from the chilies and the scallions and lemon give them a fresh and citrus kick. If you have trouble with these sticking to the tray, you could invest in a silicone tray which makes it easier to remove them.
Tuna Salad Endive Boats
– Autoimmune Wellness
Ingredients: cans of tuna, green apple, carrot, ribs celery, cucumber, red onion, dill, garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, sea salt, endive heads.
I love to serve tuna salad in leaves as it looks quite impressive and this would be a lovely appetizer next time you are entertaining friends. You have a load of different textures from the crunchy apple and celery and the soft fish, and the dill adds a great herby note to the salad. This recipe is compliant with paleo and AIP eating plans and is full of flavor, so this would be great for lunchtime for the whole family.
Spicy Tuna Stuffed Avocados
– All Day I Dream About Food
Ingredients: sushi grade ahi tuna, mayonnaise, sriracha, toasted sesame oil, california avocados, sesame seeds.
Avocado is such a great ingredient as it is packed with healthy fats and has a lovely smooth texture, turning a quick lunch into something special. Heaped up with tasty tuna salad, these avocado ‘boats’ would be a fun appetizer, but they can be quick to make so would be perfect for lunch for busy folks. This recipe is suitable for both paleo and keto diets and are so tasty you will want to make them on a regular basis!
Smoky Tuna Pickle Boats – Low Carb & Gluten Free
– I Breathe I’m Hungry
Photo Credit: Mellissa from I Breathe I’m Hungry
Ingredients: albacore tuna, smoked tuna, sugar free mayonnaise, dehydrated onion flakes, garlic powder, ground black pepper, whole dill pickles.
These paleo pickle boats make a lovely dish for a family picnic as they are easy to eat with the fingers. The tang of the pickles sets off the smoky flavor of the tuna and we all know how well tuna and mayo go together! To make them look even more appealing for a party dish, sprinkle them with a little paprika or a few pink peppercorns for garnish.
Asian Tuna Cakes – Paleo, Low Carb, Gluten Free
– Peace Love And Low Carb
Photo Credit: Kyndra from Peace Love and Low Carb
Ingredients: sustainable tuna, pastured eggs, shallot, garlic, Italian flat leaf parsley, coconut aminos or gluten free soy sauce, ginger, toasted sesame seeds, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, black pepper, olive oil.
Fish cakes are a great dish to serve to make sure your family eat healthier as even the youngest members will love these. Canned tuna is normally quite cheap, so this recipe would also suit if you are a student or working to a budget. Just remember to drain all the water from the fish as this can make the cakes very crumbly. Serve these with green salad leaves and a wedge of lemon for a lovely filling low carb lunch!
Other Paleo Tuna Recipes
Paleo Tuna Casserole Recipe [Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free]
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: tuna, onion, peas, carrots, celery, sweet potato, coconut cream, eggs, coconut flour, shredded coconut, coconut oil, salt, pepper.
Canned tuna can be bought in any store at a reasonable price, so this tuna casserole would be great for students or families working off a tight budget. The moist chunks of tuna and tender vegetables are filling and delicious and the coconut topping takes on a slight crunch after cooking, giving you added texture. This casserole would make a lovely midweek gluten free and Paleo meal for the whole family.
Roasted Cauliflower Broccoli Tuna Bowl [Paleo, Keto, AIP]
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: head of cauliflower, head of broccoli, olive oil, lemon, salt, tuna, parsley, tahini, gluten-free tamari soy sauce, sesame oil.
Roasting vegetables gives them a milder and sometimes sweeter flavor and cauliflower is perfect for roasting. The tahini gives this dish a bit of a kick, but it goes really well with the fish. This dish is simple but packed with flavor and texture and makes the ideal paleo and keto-friendly packed lunch, filling and satisfying, to keep you going through a busy day.
Tuna Croquette Canned Tuna
– My Heart Beets
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets
Ingredients: mashed sweet potato, ghee, white onion, garlic, ginger, serrano pepper, salt, coriander powder, black pepper, kashmiri chili powder, turmeric, garam masala, wild planet tuna, almond flour, tapioca flour, egg.
The tuna croquettes in this recipe are spiced with Indian spices and these can be made for an appetizer or as finger food for a party. With a light and crispy coating, these would be great to serve with a side of greens or even with a paleo dip. When you add the spices, please remember to fry them for a couple of minutes as this takes the sharp raw taste away and makes them more subtle. If you can’t use egg, ghee can be a good alternative.
Tuna Fettuccine Alfredo
– My Heart Beets
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets
Ingredients: ghee, garlic, shallot, sea salt, black pepper, coconut cream, chicken stock, nutritional yeast, lobster tails or wild caught tuna, capello’s grain free fettuccine, cherry tomatoes, parsley.
The first thing you will notice about this dish is how pretty it looks, with the fettuccine, tuna and vivid red tomatoes. The sauce is creamy because of the coconut cream and goes really well with the fish and ‘pasta’. This dish tastes great made with zucchini noodles or strips and because the tuna mixture packs a load of flavor, even non-paleo people will love this dish.
Tuna Avocado Lettuce Wraps
– The Healthy Foodie
Photo Credit: Sonia from The Healthy Foodie
Ingredients: hard-boiled eggs, light tuna, avocado, green olives, extra virgin olive oil, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, white pepper, black pepper, boston lettuce leaves.
In this low carb wrap recipe the olives and cumin give the earthy notes we expect from this Mediterranean-inspired dish, and they all sit well with the salty tuna. I find that some tuna salad recipes can be a bit dry, so if you find this you can add in a little peeled and chopped cucumber at the end of preparation and this should make sure the salad is moist and tasty.
Seared Ahi Tuna Sushi Bowls
– PaleOMG
Ingredients: coconut aminos, sriracha, sesame oil, coconut vinegar, salt, tuna steak or sushi grade tuna, high heat avocado oil, cauliflower rice, cucumber, avocado, green onions, pickled ginger, black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds.
This amazing paleo dish gives you all the flavors of sushi but without the hassle of having to arrange it and roll it up! Try to use the best quality tuna you can find as this makes a big difference to the whole dish, and marinade it for a few hours to allow the flavors to soak into the fish. You have a lovely mix of textures here, thanks to the creamy avocado and crunchy seeds, making this a show-stopper!
Mango Ahi Tuna Poke Avocado Bowls
– PaleOMG
Ingredients: sushi grade ahi tuna, avocado, mangos, cucumber, green onions, coconut aminos, coconut vinegar, sriracha, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, salt, white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds.
With all the flavors of Asia, this amazing tuna dish could be the star of the show at your next dinner party. The sushi grade tuna is tender and goes well with the ginger, garlic and aminos to give you sushi flavors without all the fuss. The mango adds a lovely contrast in taste and texture and adds color to this paleo plateful. If you can’t source fresh tuna you can buy frozen and defrost it before adding to the poke bowl mixture.
Tonnato Sauce
– Nom Nom Paleo
Ingredients: tuna, anchovies, capers, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, paleo mayonnaise, kosher salt, ground black pepper.
Tonnato sauce is a classic Italian sauce that is so good and packs that umami flavor that we all love. This goes well with vegetables crudities as a dip, poured over grilled chicken or as a dressing for a salad – the choice is yours! This is a gluten free sauce that will store in the refrigerator for up to a week, so if this is for a party or special meal, you can make it ahead of time.
Tuna “Noodle” Salad
– Maria Mind Body Health
Ingredients: hearts of palm, celery, tuna, organic mayo, dill pickles, celtic sea salt.
This delicious tuna salad has all the classic flavors you are used to but made a bit more filling thanks to the hearts of palm ‘noodles’. This is a paleo recipe but it is also quite low in calories, which could be helpful if you are trying to lose weight and need something quick and easy for lunch. You can make it even more filling by adding in a chopped boiled egg or some extra vegetables – peas or chopped celery work really well here.
Thai Tuna Salad Wraps
– Autoimmune Wellness
Ingredients: canned tuna, red onion, green onions, ginger, coconut cream, lime juice, fish sauce, thai basil, head romaine lettuce.
The Thai inspiration in this dish comes from the ginger, lime and fish sauce and can give you a lovely alternative to your normal tuna salad. The Thai basil has an aniseed flavor which is different to normal basil, but sets off the flavor of the tuna really well so it is worth giving it a go. If you are serving these as snacks you could serve on smaller leaves such as Baby Gem lettuce. This recipe is paleo and AIP-compliant.
Tuna Chard Wraps with Fresh Dill Sauce + Apple Dips
– Healthful Pursuit
Ingredients: swiss chard, fresh tuna or canned tuna, full fat coconut milk, green onions, dill, lemon juice, herbamare or himalayan rock salt, ground pepper.
Tuna salad makes a wonderful filling for wraps like these tasty paleo ones as it is super-tasty but soft and creamy too. If you don’t have chard you can use romaine lettuce instead. This is a great example of how well dill works with fish, giving it a subtle aniseed flavor and complementing the fish. This recipe is dairy and gluten free and gives you a lovely summery lunchtime treat.
Tuna Slaw with Mini Roasted Peppers
– Meatified
Photo Credit: Rach from Meatified
Ingredients: sweet peppers, oil of your choice, seasonings of your choice (– garlic, oregano & red pepper flakes), bpa-free tuna, coleslaw mix or finely sliced cabbage, olive oil, lime juice, salsa.
The roasted peppers make this dish so pretty and this can be a good way to encourage picky eaters to eat healthy. The tuna slaw is really tasty and the mini peppers add a sweetness to the flavor. They also add a bit of spice as you are coating them in spices before roasting, but it is up to you what spice you use. If you prefer, you can use plain cabbage instead of slaw mix and add in any veggies you have for extra paleo goodness.
Ahi Tuna Sashimi with Pineapple & Avocado-Ginger Cream
– Meatified
Photo Credit: Rach from Meatified
Ingredients: pineapple, ahi tuna, avocado, olive oil, lime juice, coconut aminos, ground ginger, garlic powder.
Just imagine how impressed your friends would be if you served them a platter of these delicious sashimi! You have a piece of pineapple for freshness and sweetness topped with your fresh tuna and the lovely avocado and ginger cream to crown it all. This paleo recipe is grain and dairy free and if you omit the sesame seeds it also fits with the autoimmune protocol.
The Ultimate Dill Tuna Salad Sandwich
– Wicked Stuffed
Photo Credit: Amanda from Wicked Stuffed
Ingredients: tuna, mayo, dried dill, salt, pepper, hamburger dills.
If you are like me and are a great fan of tuna salad, here is a fantastic recipe for you to try! Make these for a tasty lunch and you will really enjoy the combination of soft and creamy tuna salad with the zingy taste of the pickles. Using small pickles would also make these low carb ‘sandwiches’ perfect as party food. If you don’t like pickles you can substitute cucumber, but you will lose some of the flavor.
Tuna Bites
– Adventures In Partaking
Photo Credit: Adventures in Partaking
Ingredients: tuna, broccoli florets, medium sweet potato, cassava flour, herbs d’provence, garlic flakes, sea salt, gelatin, hot water.
These lovely golden tuna bites are full of flavor and are a great source of protein. They can be eaten hot or cold, making them perfect for your lunchbox, but they also make great party food or a tasty lunch served with fresh greens. The tuna bites are paleo-friendly and suitable for AIP folks too. You can store these in the fridge for a few days but they can also be frozen and then reheated in the oven or microwave.
Avocado Tuna Salad – Low Carb, Gluten Free, Paleo
– Peace Love And Low Carb
Photo Credit: Kyndra from Peace Love and Low Carb
Ingredients: cans of tuna, avocado, rib celery, garlic, mayonnaise, red onion, spicy brown mustard, italian flat leaf parsley, salt, pepper.
This is such an easy recipe with only four ingredients and using the avocado shells to serve makes it look so appetizing and cuts down on the dreaded washing-up! Tuna salad is a great lunch-time meal and ideal for using up leftover tuna. If you are not too keen on strongly-flavored onions, try using red ones instead as they are sweeter and not so strong. This is a great gluten free paleo recipe!
Tuna Stuffed Endive with Avocado Oil Vinaigrette [Recipe]
– Ketogasm
Photo Credit: Tasha from Ketogasm
Ingredients: endive, solid albacore tuna, red onion, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, salt.
This salad recipe is quite straightforward, but the emphasis is on the flavor of the tuna. When you add the apple cider vinegar you will find it adds sharpness and cuts through any oily taste from the fish. I would advise you taste the tuna salad mixture before adding seasonings, as some canned tuna is already salty enough. Can’t find endives? Just serve this on lettuce leaves for a great keto lunch!
Spanish Tuna Salad With Roasted Red Peppers
– And Here We Are
Ingredients: red bell peppers, white salad onion, tuna packed in olive oil, parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, sherry vinegar, salt, pepper.
With the flavors of the roasted peppers and sherry vinegar, this tasty salad has an authentic Mediterranean flavor and every bite is a great combination of textures from the meaty tuna, fresh onion rings and soft peppers. Be careful when you are combining the ingredients as you want to keep the tuna in chunks, not flakes. This paleo recipe works really well with sardines too!
