Mediterranean Tuna Salad is fresh, filling, and flavorful, with crisp veggies, olive-oil-packed tuna, and tender orzo tossed in a bright lemon dressing.
Family Favorite
A Lighter Tuna Salad: The Mediterranean Way!
As much as I love a creamy, mayo-filled tuna salad, there’s nothing like the bright, fresh taste of one with vinaigrette!
This Mediterranean Tuna Salad hits the spot—it’s fresh, bright, and so delicious! You might recognize the lemon dressing—it’s adapted from my popular sweet potato quinoa salad.
One day, I had a little dressing leftover and mixed it with canned tuna and veggies for a quick lunch. After one bite, I knew it needed to become a full recipe. I think you’re going to love this one!
Mediterranean Tuna Salad Ingredients
The full recipe is below, but here are a few quick tips:
- Pasta: Only cook 1 cup of pasta, not the whole box. Any small pasta will work.
- Veggies: Drain the olives well and chop all the veggies into even pieces.
- Cucumbers: Use English cucumbers for better flavor, and no peeling needed!
- Onion: If you’re sensitive to raw onion, soak the diced onion in salted ice water first.
- Parsley: Choose flat-leaf parsley over curly parsley for better flavor.
What Kind Of Tuna To Use
I recommend tuna packed in olive oil — it’s richer and adds more flavor to the salad. Drain it well before using!
How To Make Mediterranean Tuna Salad (Tips)
- Salt the Pasta Water: Don’t skip it — it’s the easiest way to boost the salad’s flavor.
- Toss Pasta with Dressing: Add dressing to warm pasta so it soaks up more flavor.
- Make It How You Like It: Swap or skip ingredients, keeping amounts the same.
Quick Tip
Serve this salad as a main dish straight from the bowl, stuffed in pitas, or spooned into lettuce wraps. You can also leave out the tuna and enjoy it as a side with grilled chicken or burgers. I love it with crackers for a quick lunch!
Storage
Storing Mediterranean Tuna Salad
- Dressed Salad: Doesn’t store well. Veggies soften and orzo bloats from the dressing.
- Make Ahead: Keep all parts separate. Toss together and dress right before eating.
- Meal Prep: Store the salad without dressing. Keep onions, olives, and feta separate and add fresh so the flavors don’t take over.
- Leftover Dressing: It may harden or separate in the fridge. Let it sit out for 20 minutes, then shake well.
More Light And Fresh Recipes:
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Equipment
- Wide-mouth Mason Jar or other sealable container
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 large lemon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup orzo pasta measured when dry
- 2 (5-ounce) cans tuna packed in olive oil, drained
- 1 cup diced roasted red bell peppers jarred
- 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup finely diced parsley
- 1/2 cup diced red onion 1/2 an onion, see note 1
- 1-1/3 cup chopped cucumber 1 English cucumber or 3 salad cucumbers
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Dressing: Add all the dressing ingredients to a mason jar. Zest the lemon to get 1/2 tsp zest and juice it for 3 tbsp juice. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper (or to taste). Seal the jar and shake well. Chill in the fridge while you prepare the salad.
- Bring 12 cups of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt, then 1 cup orzo. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water for 20 seconds, and shake off any extra water. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl.
- Shake the dressing again and pour about 1/3 of it over the pasta. Toss to coat evenly, then refrigerate until fully cooled.
- Add drained tuna, roasted peppers, olives, parsley, red onion, cucumber, and feta to the bowl with the pasta.
- Drizzle on as much dressing as you like. You probably won't use it all. As the salad sits out, it can soak up the dressing, so you might want to add a little more later. Gently toss and enjoy right away. This salad doesn’t store well once dressed.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I am drooling right now! This looks so tasty and perfect for summer!
hey girl- this looks so yummy! y’all have a great weekend!
Looks perfect for summer!!!
This looks so good I need to make it. I’m not a fan of tuna so I would leave that out but everything else sounds amazing!
Hayley Dawn xo