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    Home » Recipes » Salads and Bowls

    Tuna and Orzo Pasta Salad

    Published: Apr 14, 2021 · Modified: Jun 29, 2022 by Jenny

    Jump to Recipe

    Olive oil-packed tuna is mixed with orzo, celery, dill, lemon and mayo to make a light and flavorful cold tuna and orzo pasta salad. 

    bowl of canned tuna, orzo, celery and dill this recipe

    I especially love this tuna and orzo pasta salad when the weather gets warm. It's a perfect cold pasta salad to make earlier in the day (or the day before) and then pull out of the refrigerator for an easy dinner.

    Olive oil-packed tuna gives this pasta salad a moist texture and savory flavor, without having to add tons of mayo. Crunchy celery, herby dill and lots of lemon add light and bright flavor.

    What is Olive Oil-Packed Tuna?

    Canned tuna is sold either packed in water or oil. For this recipe, I use olive oil-packed tuna because the tuna is moist and flavorful and the olive oil helps coat the orzo so that not as much mayonnaise is needed.

    Cooks Illustrated wrote an article about The Best Tuna Packed in Oil. They recommend higher end brands of tuna, which you can use if you like.

    However, I make this recipe with regular grocery store tuna, specifically Trader Joe's Solid Light Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil.

    Can I Use Water Packed Tuna?

    Water packed tuna has a drier texture than olive oil packed and doesn't taste as good in this salad.

    If you only have water packed tuna, then drain it well and mix the tuna with olive oil and salt, plus a little mayo, before adding it to the orzo salad.

    Can I Use Salmon Instead of Tuna?

    Yes, you can flake fresh cooked salmon into the salad or use smoked salmon.

    I don't think that canned salmon tastes as good as canned tuna, but that's a personal preference.

    a bow of orzo and canned tuna with dill

    Can I Leave out the Mayonnaise?

    Mayonnaise gives this orzo salad a texture that is more moist and creamy, but it's not absolutely necessary.

    If you're not a mayonnaise fan, then whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and pour it over the salad. You could also add a teaspoon of mustard and clove of garlic to give the olive oil dressing more flavor.

    You might also ask, "Can I Add MORE mayo?" Sure! This recipe only has a small amount of mayonnaise added. If you love the creamy flavor of mayonnaise, then add as much as you like.

    ingredients for tuna pasta salad: orzo, canned tuna, lemon, dill, celery and mayo

    Add More Flavor

    You can add even more flavor to this tuna salad by adding one or more of the ingredients:

    • Cucumber -  sliced
    • Capers - 2 tablespoons, drained 
    • Carrot - 1 or 2 grated 
    • Onion - I usually add green onion, but you can add red or sweet onion
    • Fresh herbs - parsley, chives, basil or mint
    • Arugula or sprouts - 1 large handful, you can roughly chop the arugula so it blends in easier

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    Print

    📖 Recipe

    Tuna and Orzo Pasta Salad

    a bowl of orzo with canned tuna and herbs
    Print Recipe
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    ★★★★★

    5 from 5 reviews

    Olive oil-packed tuna is mixed with orzo, celery, dill, lemon and mayo to make this light and flavorful cold tuna and orzo pasta salad. 

    • Author: Jenny Meier | Kitchen Skip blog
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 8
    • Total Time: 23 minutes
    • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Pasta
    • Method: boil
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 pound (about 2 ½ cups) uncooked orzo
    • Two 5-ounce cans tuna packed in olive oil
    • â…“ cup mayonnaise, plus more to taste
    • 2 ribs celery, chopped (or more to taste)
    • 2 to 4 green onions, sliced
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh dill or parsley (or more to taste)
    • Zest of 1 small lemon
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or more to taste)
    • A few grinds black pepper
    • Salt, to taste

    Optional Additional Ingredients

    • Cucumber, sliced
    • Capers (about 2 tablespoons)
    • Grated carrot
    • White or red onion, finely chopped
    • More fresh herbs (mint or basil)
    • Arugula or sprouts (roughly chopping the arugula makes it easier to eat in the salad)

     

    Instructions

    1. Cook the orzo according to package instructions, or use your Instant Pot to make Instant Pot Orzo. 
    2. Let the orzo cool to room temperature while prepping the rest of the ingredients. 
    3.  In a large bowl, combine the orzo with the entire cans of tuna (tuna + oil), mayonnaise, celery, green onion, dill, lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix well. 
    4. Add a few grinds of black pepper and a generous amount of salt to taste.
    5. Taste and adjust the flavor to your liking, adding more mayo and/or lemon juice if needed.
    6. If this salad has been refrigerated for a day, you'll probably have to adjust the flavors again before serving, most likely adding more lemon and salt. 

    Notes

    This tuna salad keeps for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator

    Keywords: orzo salad, pasta salad, tuna salad, orzo and tuna pasta salad

    Please rate and review this recipe!

    Your reviews help other readers. They also help me provide the best recipes possible. Thanks!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

    1. Beth

      September 15, 2021 at 2:04 pm

      I'm a big fan of tuna and this is right up my alley! Perfect for my lunch tomorrow and so tasty! Great combination and so delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Alison

      September 15, 2021 at 1:50 pm

      Super easy and delicious! Thanks for adding all the optional add-ins! I added cucumber, carrots, onions, and arugula so I could include my veggies and make this a one dish meal!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Rika

      September 15, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      This is just the perfect lunch item! I love orzo pasta and the tuna goes well with it.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Carrie Robinson

      September 15, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      I just love how light & healthy this looks! Perfect lunch for me. 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Traci

      September 15, 2021 at 12:47 pm

      So easy and always delicious! It's really the perfect weekday lunch staple. YUM!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jenny!
    I'm a professional recipe developer and Mama of two. I create easy dinner recipes for busy parents like you!
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    bowl of canned tuna, orzo, celery and dill
    a bowl of orzo with tuna salad and herbs

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