This Tuna Caesar Salad is a quick, easy, and flavorful dish that everyone will love. Whether you're craving a light lunch or a hearty dinner, this salad fits the bill with its perfect balance of fresh ingredients and satisfying flavors. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make this salad in minutes and enjoy a meal that’s both healthy and delicious.
This is my go-to when I'm looking for a quick, delicious, and healthy meal, and it will be yours too. I promise, it's perfect for those days when you're running short on time but still want something that feels satisfying. It’s super easy to whip up—takes less than 15 minutes—and it's packed with protein, so it'll keep you full.
If you are looking for more quick and easy lunch recipes, check out my Lobster Caesar Salad, California Chicken Salad, Dill Pickle Egg Salad, Cottage Cheese Pizza Bowl, or Salmon Sushi Stacks.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick And Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes, this salad is a great option for those busy days when you need a tasty lunch or light dinner.
- Customizable: You can add your favorite toppings, or swap ingredients to meet your taste and dietary requirements.
- High Protein: This is such an easy and delicious way to get more protein into your diet.
Ingredients
- Romaine Lettuce: A classic Caesar salad recipe made with crunchy romaine lettuce, but if you don't have romaine you can use kale or any type of lettuce you like.
- Canned Tuna: I recommend using Ahi Yellowfin canned tuna or albacore tuna packed in water. You could also use skipjack tuna if you like. When shopping for canned tuna, make sure you purchase wild-caught, and look for a brand that does 3rd party mercury testing. My favorite brand is Safe Catch, but Wild Planet is also great. I'm not a fan of tuna that is packed in olive oil—while it does add a lot of flavor, I prefer to have more control over the ingredients when possible.
- Parmesan Cheese: I don't think this salad would be the same without good-quality Parmesan cheese! It adds a salty, nutty, and savory flavor to the salad. I always recommend using freshly grated cheese as opposed to the pre-shredded kind.
- Croutons: I love using homemade croutons. I make them out of leftover sourdough bread. You can use storebought or make your own. If you are gluten-free be sure to use gluten-free crutons.
- Caesar Dressing: I use my homemade Chipotle Caesar dressing, or my gluten-free Caesar dressing for this recipe, but if you don't want to make your own dressing you can use store-bought Caesar dressing. Look for high-quality brands that use minimal filler ingredients, like Primal Kitchen Caesar dressing.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions And Variations
- Extra Protein: A great way to up the protein is by adding some hard-boiled eggs, grilled shrimp, or chopped bacon to the salad.
- Additional Toppings: Feel free to add your favorite toppings like red onion, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, briny capers, or Persian cucumber. Any of these would be a great addition.
- Croutons: I love making my own crunchy croutons using leftover sourdough bread, but you could swap them out and use parmesan crisps if you are looking to keep this low-carb.
- Canned Tuna: You can certainly swap your can of tuna for fresh ahi tuna. It will take a little longer to prepare, but it would be a fun twist on the classic salad.
How To Make Caesar Tuna Salad
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1. Add the chopped lettuce to a large bowl, along with the tuna, parmesan, and croutons.
Step 2. Add the Caesar dressing and toss to combine. If you like a well-dressed salad, add a little more creamy dressing and toss again. You can also finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of black pepper.
Expert Tips And Notes
- High-Quality Tuna: Tuna is the star of the show, so don't settle for low-quality brands like Starkist. I recommend spending the extra dollar or two for a reputable brand like Safe Catch or Wild Planet.
- Homemade Dressing: While the store-bought dressings work well in a pinch. I recommend prepping your own dressing in advance.
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Serving Suggestions For Tuna Caesar Salad
- Sandwich & Bread Pairings: Serve with a warm slice of garlic bread or alongside a turkey sandwich. You can also grab a tortilla and turn it into a tuna Caesar wrap.
- Protein Additions: Add grilled shrimp or Dutch oven shredded chicken, for an even heartier meal. Hard-boiled eggs also work well for extra protein.
- Side Dishes: Pair with a bowl of roasted tomato soup, Saffron Mushroom Risotto, or baked sweet potato fries for a cozy meal.
Storage
- Storage: This salad is best served fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. To keep the salad from getting soggy, store the dressing separately and toss it with the salad just before serving.
Recipe FAQs
While the tuna and dressing can be prepped ahead of time, it’s best to keep the ingredients separate and combine everything right before serving. This will help prevent your lettuce and croutons from getting soggy.
Absolutely! You can grill or sear fresh tuna and flake it to use in the salad.
It depends on the croutons and dressing used. To make it gluten-free, swap out the croutons for gluten-free ones and make sure that your salad dressing does not contain Worcestershire sauce.
Other Related Seafood Recipes
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Tuna Caesar Salad Recipe (Quick And Easy)
Ingredients
- 4-6 cups Romaine Lettuce
- 1 can Tuna wild-caught
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese freshy grated
- ¼ cup Croutons
- ½ cup Chipotle Ceasar Dressing
Instructions
- Add the chopped lettuce to a large bowl, along with the tuna, parmesan, and croutons.4-6 cups Romaine Lettuce, 1 can Tuna, ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, ¼ cup Croutons, ½ cup Chipotle Ceasar Dressing
- Add the Chipotle Caesar dressing and toss to combine. If you like a well-dressed salad, add a little more creamy dressing and toss again. You can also finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of black pepper.
Notes
- High-Quality Tuna: Tuna is the star of the show, so don't settle for low-quality brands like Starkist. I recommend spending the extra dollar or two for a reputable brand like Safe Catch or Wild Planet.
- Homemade Dressing: While the store-bought dressings work well in a pinch. I recommend prepping your own dressing in advance.
Nadia says
I love making this recipe for a quick lunch during the busy work week. I hope you enjoy it!