A spoonful of this staple adds just the right amount of tang and helps bind every bite.
Key Points
- Dijon mustard adds tangy flavor without overpowering tuna salad.
- It also helps thicken the creamy base and bind the ingredients.
- Start with a teaspoon, then add more mustard to suit your taste.
Tuna salad was the only deli salad I would ever eat growing up, and it was all because of my mom’s “secret recipe.” Slightly tangy and on the drier side, her tuna salad was always the perfect consistency and never fishy. I would spoon it onto crackers and put it on toasted sourdough with melty Cheddar or even stand in front of the open fridge and eat it straight out of the pint container.
I was always under the impression that her tuna salad was unlike any other because I had never tried any other recipe that was up to par. When I moved away to college, I finally asked her to walk me through the process, and I learned that her “secret recipe” was really just one extra ingredient. So what made it so good? Light mayo, plenty of celery, love and nostalgia (of course) and the special touch: a tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
Why It’s the Perfect Upgrade
Sure, it’s not super uncommon to find Dijon mustard in tuna salad recipes, but you’re definitely missing out if you haven’t tried it. While it has a strong bite on its own, the sharpness of the mustard is the perfect counterpart to the creamy mayo that’s typically used as the base of tuna salads. A squirt of lemon might also help brighten the recipe, but Dijon provides a unique, vinegary zip—making it an absolute non-negotiable for me.
When it comes to deli salads, texture is arguably just as important as taste. Adding things like diced pickles or capers to your recipe would provide a similar acidity, but stirring in Dijon mustard ensures that you get the flavor in every single bite. Thanks to its consistency, the mustard also thickens the base slightly, which helps bind all the ingredients together. Plus, it helps preserve the texture of the salad, just in case you’re not a fan of too many crunchy additions.
There’s also a good chance you already have this condiment in your fridge, so why not give it a try? I’ve found that the amount you add is totally up to your preference, but it’s probably a good idea to start small. Since my mom always had her standard portion with two cans of tuna, she usually added about a tablespoon of mustard. Even if you’re not a fan of Dijon on its own, adding just a teaspoon to your recipe adds brightness without overpowering the overall flavor like it might on a sandwich or in a marinade.
Looking for other ways to switch it up? Give it a kick with serrano peppers, as in our Spicy Tuna Salad, or add some simple seasonings to make our Everything Bagel Tuna Salad. No matter how you make it, there are plenty of easy ways to upgrade your tuna salad.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel (or in this case, your tuna salad) to elevate a classic recipe. Adding Dijon mustard to your tuna salad not only enhances the flavor but also helps thicken the mixture without interfering with its texture. Even though my mom’s secret recipe may be not-so-secret anymore, this simple upgrade is too easy and delicious not to share. So if you want to elevate your tuna salad with just one simple condiment, Dijon is your answer.