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Jimmy John’s-style tuna salad is canned tuna folded with mayonnaise, finely diced celery and white onion, a small splash of soy sauce, and black pepper. This copycat takes about 10 minutes, needs no cooking, and does include both celery and onion. Amounts are in the recipe card below.
I’m a dietitian, and I love this recipe because it’s creamy, savory, and has a good crunch. It also works as a sandwich filling, a lettuce wrap, or a cracker topper.
What Is in Jimmy John’s Tuna Salad?
Jimmy John’s tuna salad is a popular filling at Jimmy John’s famous sandwich shop. This copycat uses canned tuna, celery, white onion, mayonnaise, soy sauce, black pepper, and a little parsley.
The result is creamy and savory, with a little crunch in every bite.
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How Close Is This to the Jimmy John’s Version?
This is a home-style copycat. I built it around the flavor and texture people describe: finely chopped, creamy, and mild, with celery and onion. It is not an official formula, and the restaurant can change its ingredients or suppliers at any time.
If you have an allergy or a dietary need, check the nutrition and allergen information on the chain’s website instead of relying on a copycat.
Ingredients
- Canned tuna: This base ingredient helps to bind the ingredients and adds a great flavor.
- Soy sauce: Soy sauce gives a savory flavor as well as an umami taste. Plus, it helps bring out the flavors in the rest of the ingredients.
- Celery: Celery adds a nice crunch and texture to the salad.
- White onion: The onion provides a mild flavor as well as an extra layer of texture.
- Mayonnaise: This condiment helps bind all of the ingredients together while adding some creaminess.
- Black pepper: This spice helps to add a bit of heat and depth of flavor.
- Chopped parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright note to the dish, as well as some color.
How to Make Jimmy John’s Tuna at Home
Step 1: Prep
Open the tuna and press the lid against the fish to squeeze out all the liquid. Dice the celery and white onion very small, about the size of a pea, so they blend into the salad instead of dominating it.
Step 2: Mix
Add the tuna to a bowl and break it into small flakes with a fork. Add the celery, onion, mayonnaise, soy sauce, and black pepper. Stir just until everything is evenly coated.
Step 3: Chill and Serve
Cover and chill for 30 minutes so the onion mellows and the flavors blend. Serve over fresh lettuce leaves with a sprinkle of parsley, or pile it onto bread.
Does Jimmy John’s Tuna Have Onions or Celery?
This copycat has both: finely diced celery for crunch and white onion for a mild bite. The chain’s tuna is generally described as a creamy mix with celery and onion, but the exact recipe isn’t published as a formula, so check the restaurant’s ingredient list if you need certainty.
If you don’t like raw onion, use a smaller amount or swap in chives. See the substitutions below.
How Does Jimmy John’s Make Their Tuna?
I can’t speak to their kitchen process, and I won’t guess. What I can tell you is how to get the same kind of result at home. Drain the tuna well, flake it fine, dice the vegetables small, and mix gently so the salad stays spreadable.
Tips for the Best Texture
- Don’t over-mix, or the tuna turns mushy.
- Add a splash of lime juice for extra tartness. Capers, pickles, or olives also work if you want a briny twist.
- If you are not a fan of mayonnaise, yogurt can be used as an alternative.
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
- Canned tuna: You can substitute with canned salmon or cooked chicken breast.
- Soy sauce: You can use tamari or coconut aminos as a gluten-free option.
- White onion: Green onions, shallots, or chives are all good substitutes.
- Mayonnaise: For those who don’t like mayonnaise, you can substitute it with plain Greek yogurt or mashed avocado.
Jimmy Johns Tuna Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Spatula
- etc
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of white onion diced, adding a mild and sweet onion-like flavor that brings a subtle freshness and aromatic element to the tuna mixture.
- Black pepper to taste, allowing you to season the mixture with a subtle spiciness and depth, enhancing the overall flavor profile. The black pepper adds a hint of warmth and brings balance to the other flavors in the dish.
- 8 tablespoons duke's mayonnaise adding a creamy and velvety texture that binds the ingredients together and brings richness to the tuna mixture.
- 2 sticks of celery diced, providing a refreshing and crunchy texture that adds a delightful crispness and a hint of herbal notes to the dish.
- 4 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce providing a savory and umami flavor that enhances the overall taste profile and adds depth to the dish.
- 22 ounces of canned tuna drained, offering a substantial amount of protein-rich and flavorful fish that adds a satisfying meaty texture to the dish.
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients together and place them into a bowl for mixing.
- Stir until all the ingredients are fully blended together.
- You can serve atop some fresh lettuce leaves, garnished with a sprinkle of parsley if you wish.
Notes
- When adding ingredients to the bowl, make sure you don’t over mix or it will become too mushy.
- You can also add a splash of lime juice for extra tartness and flavor. In addition, feel free to experiment with other ingredients, such as capers, pickles, or olives.
- If you are not a fan of mayonnaise, then yogurt can be used as an alternative.
What Should I Serve With Jimmy John’s-Style Tuna Salad?
Sandwiches are the obvious choice. Pile the tuna onto soft bread with lettuce and tomato. My Jimmy Johns Bread Recipe is made for this, and my Super Soft Bread Recipe is another good loaf.
It also works in lettuce wraps, on crackers, or with pita chips and raw veggies.
Is There a Greek Cucumber Salad to Go With It?
I don’t have an official Jimmy John’s recipe for a Greek cucumber salad, so I won’t claim this is one. For a fresh side, toss sliced cucumber with red onion, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and a little feta. My Spiral Cucumber Salad is another crisp, cooling option next to a rich tuna sandwich.
Nutrition Information
One serving of this tuna salad contains approximately:
- 155 calories,
- 7g fat,
- 8g carbohydrates, and
- 14g protein.
These are estimates. Your numbers will shift with the brand of mayo and whether the tuna is packed in water or oil.
How Do I Store Leftover Tuna Salad?
Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing it. Mayonnaise-based salads separate when thawed and turn watery.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Tuna Salad?
Often yes, in moderation. Mercury is the main concern. Canned light tuna is generally the lower-mercury choice, while albacore (white) tuna should be limited. Check current FDA guidance and ask your provider what’s right for you. Keep the salad refrigerated and eat it within a few days.
Is This Tuna Salad Gluten-Free?
Not with regular soy sauce, which contains wheat. Use tamari labeled gluten-free, or coconut aminos, and check your mayonnaise label.
Wrapping Up
This copycat Jimmy John’s tuna salad is quick, creamy, and easy to adjust. If you try it, I’d love to hear how you served it.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.