Italian Tuna and White Bean Salad

Packed with flavor and perfect for summer, my Italian Tuna and White Bean Salad recipe is one you’ll reach for whenever you’re craving something easy, healthy, and budget-friendly.

My grandma’s tuna salad

As a teenager, I worked in delis and learned all the secrets to making amazing New York deli tuna salad, which I’ve shared with you in my recipe and YouTube video.

But the first tuna salad I ever ate, was Italian tuna and white bean salad. This is really the only way my grandma would ever make it, and since it’s made with olive oil and lemon juice, it’s a great healthier alternative to the heavier deli-style tuna salad made with mayo.

My recipe includes red onion and fresh parsley and since my family loves it with arugula, I’ve included that in the recipe as well.

This is a great one for evenings when you’re not sure what to eat and don’t really feel like using the stove or oven (especially in summer)!

Recipe Ingredients

All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.

• Tuna. Unlike my deli-style healthy tuna salad which uses albacore packed in water, this Italian tuna salad relies on canned yellowfin tuna packed in olive oil. This is the tuna I use for dishes like pasta al tonno. Costco will often have great prices on this type of tuna if budget is a concern. If the tuna you use is not packed in high-quality olive oil, you may wish to drain it and add more of your own good-quality oil.
• White beans. Cannellini beans are my white bean of choice for this salad, but you could also use great northern beans, navy beans, and butter beans.
• Lemon and olive oil. Good quality extra-virgin olive oil and fresh-squeezed lemon juice make a simple and delicious dressing for this salad.
• Arugula. I love baby arugula with tuna and white bean salad, but you can use other similar greens, or omit them entirely.
• Red onion. I love the color and flavor red onion brings to this salad, but white onion can also be used.
• Additions. I encourage you to add other items as desired! Roasted red peppers, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, or capers would all be great!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

More Italian summer salads

If you’re looking for more light and delicious Italian summer salads, give these a try.

• Summer shaved zucchini salad
• Italian white bean salad
• Orange fennel salad