Italian Salad Recipe with Tuna, Corn and Mozzarella (2024)

Published | Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Jump to Recipe

This authentic Italian Salad with ripe tomatoes, tuna, corn and fresh mozzarella on a bed of greens, drizzled with a mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar is refreshing, light yet satisfying!

If you are a fan of Italian flavours in your salads, check out my Tuscan Panzanella Salad.

Italian Salad Recipe with Tuna, Corn and Mozzarella (1)

This incredible corn and tuna salad with balsamic dressing comes from Italy. It’s not Italian inspired, it’s the real deal. This is how the story goes.

We were in Bologna, on the last leg of our journey. As soon as we dropped our suitcases off at the hotel, we went on a hunt for our last Italian lunch…and all I wanted was a salad. Pasta and pizza are great but I NEEDED my leafy greens.

-Insalata? – I inquired as soon as we walked into a small cafe and a tall, slim and gorgeous Italian waitress answered, -Si.

-What kind?- I asked in English because I can only fake speaking Italian for so long.

Next she listed all the ingredients in perfect English and showed us to a tiny and cozy table outside.

Italian Salad Recipe with Tuna, Corn and Mozzarella (2)

Italian Salad Ingredient List

I will never stop being amazed at how a few simple ingredients produce outstanding results when put together by Italians. How do they manage that? EVERY SINGLE TIME!

As you’ve guessed by now the recipe for this tuna and corn salad is quite simple. Salad greens tossed with cherry tomatoes, olives and extra virgin olive oil, topped with tuna, corn and fresh mozzarella.

Then slightly drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. That’s it. It takes 5 minutes to make. The memory of the gorgeous taste is still fresh in my mind.

Italian Salad Recipe with Tuna, Corn and Mozzarella (3)

It must be in the air or in their soil because the quality ingredients are a must for this gorgeous tuna and corn salad. I’ve used a mix of baby lettuce and arugula with cherry tomatoes.

The only liberty I took with this authentic Italian salad is replacing canned corn with fresh corn on the cob that’s been charred on a grill. I also used canned albacore tuna steaks in hopes it will taste closer to what I had in Bologna.

The verdict is you CAN reproduce the same taste at home, but unfortunately for the scenery you have to fly to Bologna!

Italian Salad Dressing

I absolutely adore how Italians do not over complicate their salad dressings. In fact it’s rare for them to use anything other than

  • High Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • High Quality Wine Vinegar or Balsamic Vinegar
  • Salt

No herbs, spices or garlic are added to authentic Italian dressing recipes. Creamy salad dressings do not exist in Italy either.

Simply beautiful greens and vegetables dressed in premium flavours of olive oil and vinegar.

Italian Salad Recipe with Tuna, Corn and Mozzarella (4)

More authentic Italian recipes inspired by our travels:

  • Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
  • Beef Ragu Recipe
  • Basic Cream Sauce for Pasta
  • Bruschetta Recipe Three Ways
  • Sausage and Broccoli Pasta with Herb and Garlic Breadcrumbs

Originally published in 06/2014, updated with new text and photos in 06/2019

Italian Salad Recipe with Tuna, Corn and Mozzarella (5)

Italian Tuna and Corn Salad

Julia Frey of Vikalinka

Italian Salad recipe with tuna, corn, mozzarella and balsamic dressing.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Appetiser

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 287 kcal

Ingredients

  • 120g/3 cups salad greens
  • 150g/1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 90g/1/2 cup olives any kind you like
  • 2 ears corn, boiled or grilled and cut off the cob
  • 150g/1/2 cup canned Albacore tuna drained and broken into chunks
  • 125g/4oz fresh mozzarella sliced
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp good quality balsamic vinegar
  • 2-3 leaves fresh basil optional
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the corn in a pot of boiled water until done, (approximately 5 minutes after the water has boiled) Alternatively you can grill the corn or use canned corn. Cool the cooked corn, then cut off the kernels off the cob.

  • In a large bowl toss together salad greens, tomatoes and olives.

  • Top with corn, tuna and sliced mozzarella.

  • Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt. Add sliced fresh basil leaves, toss gently and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 287kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 18gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 339mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 940IUVitamin C: 17.7mgCalcium: 183mgIron: 1.2mg

Keyword tuna and corn salad

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Salad

  • Winter Salad with Red Cabbage, Kale and Pomegranate
  • Chicken Caesar Crostini
  • Korean Carrot Salad
  • Festive Red Cabbage Slaw

About Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.
read more..

Related Posts

  • Irish Mashed Potatoes (Champ Recipe)

  • Sweet Cheese Pudding ‘Paskha’

  • Miso Butter Roasted Cabbage Wedges

Italian Salad Recipe with Tuna, Corn and Mozzarella (2024)

FAQs

What does Martha Stewart put in her tuna salad? ›

directions. Combine tuna, celery, apple, mayonnaise, basil, and lemon juice; mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Note: The original recipe calls for Lemonaise instead of Mayonnaise.

How do you make Paula Deen's tuna salad? ›

Directions. In a mixing bowl, combine the tuna, eggs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, celery, relish, and onion. Season the salad with a big pinch of salt and pepper and stir to combine. Serve on a bed of salad greens or on toasted bread, if you like.

What do you eat tuna fish with? ›

You can put it on crackers or on toast, or make it a part of a snack dinner with slices of cheese, fresh fruit, toasted nuts, and other snacky things. But jumping from there, you can turn canned tuna into fish cakes, baked casseroles, salads, wraps, and pasta dishes galore.

Why does restaurant tuna salad taste better? ›

Per The Practical Kitchen, the reason deli tuna salad tastes so different is because it is kept a night or two in the fridge, where "the flavors have time to meld together. The mayo and seasonings absorb into those individual components — the celery, in particular — creating a more cohesive tuna salad experience."

What brand mayo is best for tuna salad? ›

Hellmann's works because it balances fishy flavors of the tuna, Boone said. “Since tuna is oily and has a slightly aggressive flavor and aroma, a mayo with a great baseline flavor and creamy texture like Hellmann's works best,” she said.

What can I use to thicken tuna salad? ›

Additional Fixes For Watery Tuna Salad

If you don't want to end up with more tuna salad than you can eat before it goes bad, ground nuts and bread crumbs are both options for soaking up the sog. Typically, ground nuts are considered superior because they don't get soggy the way breadcrumbs can.

Which canned tuna tastes less fishy? ›

Albacore is firm and meaty, with a light, mild flavor. Yellowfin and skipjack are a bit softer and have a richer, more intense taste. The choice comes down to personal preference: If you like a less “fishy” tuna experience, go for white tuna; if you want stronger flavor, light tuna is a better choice.

How do you make tuna salad without fishy taste? ›

As simple as it sounds, adding a sprinkle of sugar to your canned fish can help diminish the more pungent flavors for which tuna is known — but not always loved — while letting the other ingredients in your salad and sandwich recipes shine.

Do you drain tuna before making tuna salad? ›

If you are using canned tuna packed in water, drain it and add in 1 tablespoon of good-quality extra virgin olive oil. If you are using canned tuna packed in olive oil, you can use as is, without draining it.

Is it OK to eat tuna with cheese? ›

A good, warm, toasty, cheesy tuna melt ranks high on my list of favorite sandwiches. There's just something so idyllic and comforting about a creamy tuna mixture stuffed between two slices of crisp fried bread. In my book, a good tuna melt must meet a few criteria. First, the cheese must be fully melted and oozy.

What to mix with tuna if you don't have mayo? ›

Dijon Mustard: This adds a tangy flavor to mimic mayo, even though there is no mayonnaise in this tuna salad recipe. You can't taste it (I promise), but it's super important. Salt & Pepper: for a bit of seasoning. Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is always best!

What does tuna salad contain? ›

Tuna salad is a light and fresh comfort food classic. Made with a few simple ingredients such as canned tuna, mayonnaise, onion and celery, it's the perfect combination of creamy and crispy. Serve this in a sandwich, wrap it in lettuce, or stuff it in avocado halves for a healthy, throw-together lunch.

What are the ingredients in Save Da Sea tuna salad? ›

Ingredients: young green jackfruit, plant-based mayonnaise (sunflower oil, water, lemon juice and zest, apple cider vinegar, chickpea protein, pea protein isolate, yeast extract, natural flavor, sugars (maple syrup), salt, organic flaxseed oil, beetroot), onion, onion powder, nutritional yeast, black pepper, spices and ...

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6391

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.