Making a tasty tuna salad isn’t just about mixing tuna with mayo—it’s about adding the right spices and herbs! These flavor boosters can transform a plain tuna sandwich into something truly special. Whether you like your tuna salad classic or want to try something new, these 16 seasonings will help you create the perfect mix every time.
1. Dill
Dill transforms ordinary tuna salad into a refreshing delight with its distinctive grassy flavor. The feathery herb adds a subtle tang that cuts through the richness of mayo while complementing the natural taste of tuna.
Sprinkle dried dill for convenience or chop fresh dill fronds for maximum impact. Either way, this herb creates a classic Scandinavian-inspired profile that makes your sandwich taste like it came from a fancy café. For best results, add dill just before serving to preserve its delicate flavor.
A little goes a long way—start with half a teaspoon of dried or a tablespoon of fresh, then adjust to your taste.
2. Onion Powder
Onion powder packs all the flavor of onions without the crunch or tears! This fine, tan powder dissolves easily into your tuna mixture, spreading savory goodness throughout every bite without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Unlike raw onions, the powder won’t leave you with dragon breath or that strong aftertaste. It’s perfect for kids who pick out onion pieces but still need that depth of flavor in their sandwich.
Try mixing it directly into your mayo before adding to the tuna for even distribution. About a quarter teaspoon per can of tuna creates the perfect balance—you’ll taste the difference immediately!
3. Garlic Powder
Garlic powder brings a warm, toasty flavor that makes tuna salad taste homemade in the best way possible. Unlike fresh garlic’s sharp bite, the powder version offers a mellower, more rounded taste that spreads evenly throughout your salad.
Just a pinch transforms plain tuna into something worth craving. The powder form means no sticky fingers or garlic breath that lingers for hours after lunch. For an extra flavor boost, try toasting the garlic powder in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding it to your mix.
This simple trick brings out a deeper, nuttier dimension that elevates your sandwich from basic to gourmet.
4. Celery Seed
Celery seed might be tiny, but its impact on tuna salad is mighty! These small brown seeds pack the concentrated essence of celery into every speck, giving your salad that garden-fresh taste without the stringy texture of actual celery.
The seeds have a slightly bitter, earthy quality that balances the richness of mayonnaise perfectly. They add a subtle crunch that keeps your sandwich interesting from first bite to last.
Try crushing the seeds slightly between your fingers before adding them to release more of their essential oils. A half-teaspoon per can of tuna creates the ideal flavor—any more might overpower the delicate taste of the fish.
5. Paprika (Regular or Smoked)
Paprika sprinkles a sunset-colored magic into tuna salad, adding both visual appeal and a sweet-peppery kick. The regular version brings gentle warmth, while smoked paprika transforms your ordinary sandwich into something that tastes like it was made over a campfire.
Beyond flavor, the bright red color makes your tuna salad Instagram-worthy! Kids especially love the way it makes their sandwiches look special without adding any spiciness they might avoid.
Try sprinkling some on top of your finished tuna salad as a garnish—it works as both seasoning and decoration. For extra flair, mix regular and smoked varieties for a complex flavor that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.
6. Parsley (Fresh or Dried)
Parsley brightens tuna salad with its fresh, clean taste and beautiful green flecks. The herb acts like a palate cleanser, cutting through the heavy mayo and fish flavors with its subtle peppery bite.
Fresh parsley brings the most vibrant color and flavor, but dried works in a pinch when you’re making a quick lunch. The curly variety adds more texture, while flat-leaf (Italian) parsley delivers stronger flavor. For maximum impact, add parsley at the very end of mixing.
This preserves its color and prevents it from wilting. A generous tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley per tuna can is just right—enough to taste without turning your sandwich into a salad!
7. Lemon Zest
Lemon zest adds sunshine to tuna salad without making it soggy like juice can! Those tiny yellow shavings contain concentrated citrus oils that wake up all the other flavors while cutting through the richness of mayo and fish.
The bright, aromatic quality transforms even canned tuna into something that tastes fresh-caught. Unlike lemon juice, which can make your salad watery, zest provides pure flavor without changing the texture. Use a microplane for the finest zest that distributes evenly throughout your mix.
Just the zest from half a lemon per can of tuna creates the perfect balance—too much can make your salad taste like cleaning product, so start small!
8. Chives
Chives bring a gentle onion flavor that whispers rather than shouts in your tuna salad. These slender green tubes add pretty color and a mild zip that even onion-skeptics enjoy. Snipped into tiny rings, chives distribute evenly throughout your mixture, ensuring every bite gets just the right amount of flavor.
They’re especially wonderful in summer tuna salads when you want something lighter than regular onions. For the freshest taste, add chives at the last minute before serving. They lose their bright flavor quickly when mixed with acidic ingredients.
About a tablespoon of freshly snipped chives per tuna can creates the perfect accent—they’re meant to complement, not overwhelm!
9. Black Pepper
Black pepper might seem basic, but it’s actually the secret weapon in amazing tuna salad! Those little dark specks add a gentle heat that builds with each bite, cutting through the richness of mayo without overwhelming the delicate fish flavor.
Freshly cracked pepper from a grinder delivers way more flavor than the pre-ground stuff in shakers. The coarse texture also adds tiny bursts of spiciness that keep your sandwich interesting from first bite to last.
Try using a mix of fine and coarse grounds for the perfect balance—fine pepper for consistent flavor throughout, and coarse for those exciting little pops of heat. About 1/4 teaspoon per tuna can is a good starting point for most people.
10. Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard works magic in tuna salad, acting as both flavor booster and secret binding agent! Its tangy, slightly spicy character cuts through the richness of mayo while complementing the natural flavors of the fish.
Dijon has a sophisticated depth that makes your sandwich taste like it came from a fancy café. The smooth texture blends perfectly into the mix, ensuring every bite gets equal mustard goodness. Start with just a teaspoon per can of tuna—you can always add more.
For extra creaminess, whisk the Dijon with your mayo before adding to the tuna. This creates a more uniform dressing that coats every morsel perfectly!
11. Tarragon
Tarragon brings French bistro flair to ordinary tuna with its unique licorice-like flavor. This elegant herb has delicate, slender leaves that add a sophisticated sweetness unlike any other seasoning.
Fresh tarragon makes the biggest impact, but dried works too—just use about a third as much since the flavor concentrates when dried. The herb pairs wonderfully with creamy elements, making it perfect for mayo-based tuna salads.
Try mixing tarragon with a squeeze of lemon for a classic French combination that makes canned tuna taste gourmet. A teaspoon of fresh chopped tarragon leaves per can is enough to transform your sandwich into something special without overwhelming the other flavors.
12. Basil
Basil brings Mediterranean sunshine to tuna salad with its sweet, slightly peppery flavor. The bright green leaves add a summery freshness that transforms plain tuna into something you’d find at an Italian seaside café.
Fresh basil makes the biggest impact, releasing its aromatic oils when torn or chopped. The herb pairs beautifully with lemon and olive oil, creating a lighter alternative to mayo-heavy tuna salads.
For maximum flavor, tear or chop basil just before mixing it in—cutting too far ahead can turn the leaves black. About 5-6 fresh leaves per tuna can creates the perfect balance. Try the Thai basil variety for a surprising twist with hints of licorice and mint!
13. Thyme
Thyme adds a sophisticated earthiness to tuna salad that makes it taste extra special. Those tiny leaves pack a concentrated herbal punch that stands up beautifully to the strong flavors of fish and mayo.
Fresh thyme leaves need to be stripped from their woody stems, while dried thyme can be sprinkled right in. The herb has slightly minty, lemony undertones that brighten the overall flavor profile of your sandwich.
Try warming dried thyme in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding it to your mix—this simple step wakes up the essential oils for maximum flavor. About 1/2 teaspoon of dried or 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves per can creates the perfect accent without overwhelming.
14. Red Pepper Flakes
Red pepper flakes kick boring tuna salad into high gear with their bright heat and eye-catching color! Those tiny red and white flakes add excitement to every bite—some bites mild, others delivering a surprise zing.
Unlike hot sauce, which can make your salad watery, the flakes add pure heat without changing the texture. They’re perfect for grown-up tuna salads when you want something more interesting than the usual lunch. Start with just 1/8 teaspoon per can and adjust to your heat preference.
For extra flavor dimension, try toasting the flakes in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding them to your mix—this simple step intensifies their smoky quality while taming some of the raw heat.
15. Curry Powder
Curry powder transforms ordinary tuna into a global adventure with its warm, complex spice blend! The golden-yellow mix typically contains turmeric, coriander, cumin, and other spices that bring depth and warmth to cold tuna salad.
The earthy, slightly sweet flavor pairs surprisingly well with creamy mayo and fish. For extra dimension, try blooming the curry powder in a teaspoon of hot oil before cooling and adding to your mix—this simple step wakes up all the essential oils in the spices.
Start with just 1/2 teaspoon per can of tuna and adjust to taste. For a complete curry tuna experience, add some chopped apple, raisins, or mango for sweetness to balance the savory spice blend!
16. Old Bay Seasoning
Old Bay Seasoning brings instant East Coast crab shack vibes to your tuna salad! This iconic orange-red blend contains paprika, black pepper, celery salt, and secret spices that were made for seafood.
The complex mix adds a savory, slightly spicy kick that transforms bland tuna into something special. Since it already contains salt, you might need less additional salt in your recipe. Just a half-teaspoon per can creates the perfect Maryland-inspired tuna salad.
For an authentic touch, serve your Old Bay tuna salad on saltine crackers or with potato chips on the side. The seasoning also pairs wonderfully with a squeeze of lemon to brighten all those savory notes!
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