QUESTION: chicken/tuna salad alternatives?

Hirgy03
Hirgy03 Posts: 332 Member
in Recipes
All: Not too sure how this forum works, but took a quick look and didn't see an answer, so I'll just post the question......

I've been really craving chicken salad or tuna salad sandwiches as of late. My hesitation is that Mayo...even lite maya....is pretty calorie-laden (maybe thats too much of an assumption on my part).

What are good substitutions for mayo when you want to make some kind of salad like that? Heck, I guess even for potato salad, macaroni salads, etc......

If you have a good, low-calorie suggestion for chicken or tuna salad, I'd love to see them......the cravings are killing m e.

Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    All: Not too sure how this forum works, but took a quick look and didn't see an answer, so I'll just post the question......

    I've been really craving chicken salad or tuna salad sandwiches as of late. My hesitation is that Mayo...even lite maya....is pretty calorie-laden (maybe thats too much of an assumption on my part).

    What are good substitutions for mayo when you want to make some kind of salad like that? Heck, I guess even for potato salad, macaroni salads, etc......

    If you have a good, low-calorie suggestion for chicken or tuna salad, I'd love to see them......the cravings are killing m e.

    First off, hat's off to you for actually trying to search beforehand

    While not an exact sub, you can use greek yogurt to make chicken or tuna. Tuna with dijon isn't half bad either
  • kordell70
    kordell70 Posts: 49 Member
    Horseradish is a nice substitute. I never thought I would like it mixed with tuna until my friend gave me the tuna mix without telling me.
  • CoozyRoo
    CoozyRoo Posts: 82 Member
    Not sure it will help with calories but I've subbed avocado, veganaise, or even a little bit of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Or just try a little bit of mayo and then add in a lot of mustard to get the consistency right. Another trick is to make sure you get the water packed tuna and just don't drain as much water out so you won't need to add much of anything. Best of luck!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Could just be a matter of portion control and getting used to a less creamy chicken/tuna salad. A TBSP of mayo is about 90 calories. A TBSP of low fat mayo is about 40 calories so there is quite a difference. My mother was always stingy with the mayo, both in tuna salad and in other cold salads (pasta, potato) so I've always like it drier. My husband on the other hand likes it super creamy like how you'll find it in most delis or at Subway so he didn't like my tuna salad in the beginning - but he got used to it.

    Another way to boost the moisture (and nutrition) factor is to add chopped up fruits, veg and nuts - grapes, craisins, celery, walnuts, etc.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Greek yogurt works. Or light mayo and mustard. Or Greek yogurt and mustard.
  • Erica0718
    Erica0718 Posts: 469 Member
    X 2 on the greek yogurt or use the mayo made with olive oil it is lower in calories
  • endoftheside
    endoftheside Posts: 568 Member
    I like mixing it with avocado and/or yogurt. Tried it with cottage cheese earlier this week and it was surprisingly good. I realized that I need two things, one, to add moisture, and two, a *little* fat for flavor, but I don't have to add ALL the moisture with fat. Vegetables like tomatoes, shredded carrots, and celery can add some moisture and flavor without fat, as can fruits like cut up grapes.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    I agree with leaving a little water on the tuna so that you won't need so much moisture. I use Miracle Whip, which is 40 calories/TBS, which is enough for me as long as I don't drain my tuna dry.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    hellman's light mayo is 35 cals a tablespoon. make your own tuna and chicken salads and control what you put in to it.
  • davidwallaceasia
    davidwallaceasia Posts: 6
    I Love Gulden's Mustard instead of mayo for my tuna salad. A little horseradish never hurts, pepper, etc.

    If you like mustard, give it a shot. (Subbing mustard into potato salad is even better IMHO, though I'm laying off spuds these days.)
  • FixIngMe13
    FixIngMe13 Posts: 405 Member
    hellman's light mayo is 35 cals a tablespoon. make your own tuna and chicken salads and control what you put in to it.

    ^^ This. I actually make mine with the light mayo, and it tastes the same as the reg. mayo.
  • TallGlassOfQuirky
    TallGlassOfQuirky Posts: 282 Member
    I love tuna mixed with red pepper (or even regular) hummus. It's also good with salsa and/or guacamole.
    I don't like canned chicken so I can't tell you if the same things mix well with that, too.
  • keem88
    keem88 Posts: 1,689 Member
    plain greek yogurt with seasonings such as dillweed, sage, cloves, onion powder, garlic, pepper etc. with avocado. i do this and mash chickpeas instead of using tuna or chicken and it is delish
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    I love tuna mixed with red pepper (or even regular) hummus. It's also good with salsa and/or guacamole.
    I don't like canned chicken so I can't tell you if the same things mix well with that, too.

    I literally said "OOOO" out loud to myself. AWEsome idea. :heart:
  • paintlisapurple
    paintlisapurple Posts: 982 Member
    Avacado tastes good, but still has a ton of calories. One tablespoon of low calorie dressing should do the trick for less.
  • momblobnomore
    momblobnomore Posts: 19 Member
    Hidden valley ranch pack + greek yogurt is good for chicken salad
  • poohpoohpeapod
    poohpoohpeapod Posts: 776 Member
    1/2 greek plain yogurt 1/2 mayo, they have kraft olive oil may 35 calories a serving. add spices or seasonongs, celery maybe chopped onion you are good to go.
  • poohpoohpeapod
    poohpoohpeapod Posts: 776 Member
    forget water to thin use pickle juice for tuna.
  • Malaylah
    Malaylah Posts: 32
    Walden Farms makes calorie free mayo, check them out on amazon.com
  • karensdream
    karensdream Posts: 135 Member
    I like to use low fat cottage cheese that I either mash with a fork or zap with an immersion blender. I prefer this because it adds extra protein to the recipe. I am all about the seasonings. I like to add celery, carrots, and onions, and season with a bit of salt and pepper and a dash of garlic and dill weed. Let it marinate a little bit. Very good! Works with chicken or tuna.
  • flumi_f
    flumi_f Posts: 1,888 Member
    I mix yogurt with some spicey mustard or wasabi paste into my tuna salad. I think that tastes awesome. Haven't had mayo at home in year, because it always went bad.... And I add different veggies and olives too.

    My salad dressing is a mix of bouillon, oil and vinegar. I make about a cup at a time and keep it in the fridge. Cuts the oil down to 25% of a normal dressing and tastes good. fI my tuna salad is too dry, I put some of this in the salad too.
  • writergeek313
    writergeek313 Posts: 390 Member
    My basic tuna salad recipe is a can of tuna, 2 tablespoons of Kraft Light Mayo (35 calories per tablespoon), and a teaspoon or so of sweet pickle relish. When I have more ingredients on hand, I add grated carrot and onion, diced celery, and/or diced hardboiled egg whites (I don't like the yolks, so that's not really a sacrifice for me). I like to eat it in lettuce leaves, on wheat toast, or with some wheat crackers.

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