sweet dill crunch tuna macaroni salad

2 Pinches
Akron, OH
Updated on Dec 3, 2025

Cold, creamy elbow macaroni carries a cool dill-pickle punch and subtle garlic-celery seed notes with a comforting, slightly starchy backdrop. Every forkful pops with sweet relish tang and that signature triple-crunch from carrot, water chestnut, and onion. It tastes like the best classic picnic macaroni salad crossed with your favorite deli tuna—familiar yet surprisingly fresh and addictive.

prep time 1 Hr 25 Min
cook time
method Stove Top
yield 8 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 2 cans albacore tuna in water, very well drained (5 oz each)
  • 1/3 cup minced onion
  • 1/3 cup diced carrot
  • 1/3 cup diced water chestnuts (from an 8 oz can, drained and patted dry)
  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (lightly drained if very juicy)
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 3/4 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • 2 cups dry macaroni noodles
  • optional add-ins: 1/3 cup diced celery or a diced hard boiled egg

How To Make sweet dill crunch tuna macaroni salad

  • Step 1
    Prepare macaroni as instructed on the package.
  • Step 2
    Drain and set aside.
  • Step 3
    Drain and flake the tuna into a medium bowl.
  • Step 4
    Add onion, carrot, water chestnuts, mayonnaise, relish, dill, celery seed, salt, garlic powder, and dry mustard. Add optional celery now if you are using it.
  • Step 5
    Fold gently until everything is evenly mixed.
  • Step 6
    Fold in hard boiled egg, if using.
  • Step 7
    Taste and adjust mayo, salt, or another half tablespoon of relish if needed.
  • Step 8
    Cover and chill at least 1 hour to develop flavor and not be runny.
  • Step 9
    Keeps 3–4 days in the fridge.

Discover More

Category: Pasta Salads
Ingredient: Pasta
Culture: American
Method: Stove Top

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