All about Tuna Salad

We at Gotham believe it’s never really too much tuna. Tuna salad is a delightful combination of ingredients that has stood the test of time. Tuna, mayo, onion, celery, some spice. Classic recipes like this don’t get invented every day. We sincerely hope you cherish the tuna salad.

Tunafish salad on a bagel

Who came up with tuna salad? 

The first written mention of tuna salad in America dates back to 1907. Salads in general were in vogue at that time—and were considered a little fancy, bringing an element of European delicateness to industrious American kitchens. Leading up to that, tuna and other canned fish had been popular for some time, but tuna in particular really got famous in America in the 1930’s—so famous, in fact, that all the tuna off the coast of California were depleted. But tuna had captured the heart of the nation and production ramped up to meet demand in the next decade.

A recipe for tuna salad by Hellman’s Mayo. (Source: Pinterest)

The tuna salad sandwich

Putting tuna on bread was the next natural step! When sandwiches became the standard for working Americans, this delicious and mild fish was an obvious choice. In the 50’s, tuna sandwiches were fed to countless kids, and eaten by countless business people on lunch break. Tuna salad was piled high in deli displays across the nation.

Tuna Salad recipe in a Star-Kist ad, Sunset magazine, July 1951. (Source: Pinterest)

Why do we love tuna salad?

Nutrition! Tuna salad is a nutrient-dense food. It’s remained a go-to health food since the 1960’s. Bountiful vitamins, protein and minerals such as iron, selenium and phosphorus can be found in tuna. Tuna fish contains those much-loved omega 3 fatty acids, and is low in fat to boot. Not to mention how good it tastes! Tuna salad tastes good. Salty, soft, and buttery tuna combined with creamy mayonnaise, the bite of onion, and the aromatic crunch of celery can’t be beat.

The inside of a bagel sandwich with tuna

Try it on a bagel!

Gotham’s finest traditional tunafish salad on pumpernickel—with a little red onion, some tomato, a pile of arugula—now that’s health! Order online today in Chicago and Madison.

Sarah Kutz