Martha’s tuna salad is clean and herby. Oil-packed tuna, chopped celery, diced apple (yes, apple), lemon, basil, and just enough mayo to pull it together.
She says to serve it on sourdough. No frills. No lettuce stacks. Just bread and honesty.
It’s not fussy. But it is thoughtful. Like a little lunch that knows how to listen.
What I Did Differently
Didn’t peel the apple. Used regular mayo, not light. Added more lemon than I meant to. Didn’t regret it.
Toasted the bread in a pan with butter because the toaster’s broken. Honestly better that way.
The Way It Happened in My Kitchen
I drained the tuna straight into the sink, forgot the strainer. Chopped the celery with the same knife I used for butter this morning. Didn’t wipe it.
The basil looked tired. I used it anyway. Still brightened the whole thing.
Mae took one bite and said, “oh—this feels like picnic food.” I didn’t ask what she meant. But she smiled. And that was enough.
A Few Things I Learned
Apple in tuna salad is strange. Until it’s not.
Toasted sourdough can fix a lot. So can a good sandwich eaten with someone who doesn’t need small talk.
What I Did With the Extras
Spoonful straight from the bowl at 9 p.m. Mae made hers into a melt the next day with cheddar. Said it was even better. She might be right.
Would I Make It Again?
Yes. Next time the fridge feels empty and I need lunch to hold me together.
That’s As Much As I Remember
The kitchen still smells like lemon and basil. Not a bad way to get through a day.
if you want something warmer, i made martha’s chicken salad with grapes once. it was weird. but it worked. kind of like this.
I Tried Martha Stewart’s Tuna Salad, and It Got Me Through a Day I Didn’t Want to Cook
FAQs
Can I use tuna in water?
sure. just add a splash of olive oil so it doesn’t go dry.
Do I have to peel the apple?
nope. the skin adds color and a little bite. just dice it small.
What’s the best bread for this?
sourdough. toasted if you’ve got the time, buttery if you don’t.
How long will it keep?
3 days in the fridge. stir it before serving—things separate when cold.
Can I use dried basil?
you can. but fresh makes it feel alive. and less like leftovers.
Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 10 minutesRest time: minutesTotal time: 20 minutesServings:4 servingsCalories:380 kcal Best Season:Suitable throughout the year
Description
A light, lemony tuna salad with apple and basil that makes you forget it came from a can. Good on toast. Better on days you don’t want to try.
Ingredients
Instructions
Combine the salad. In a medium bowl, mix drained tuna, celery, apple, basil, mayo, and lemon juice. Stir until it holds together but still has texture.
Season it. Add salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust. Sometimes you need more lemon. Sometimes more salt.
Build the sandwiches. Spread the tuna mixture onto four slices of bread. Top with the others. Cut in half if you’re feeling dainty.
Serve. Right away if you can. Cold works too. Better than expected.
