Copycat Jimmy John's Tuna Salad Recipe

We know that Jimmy John's lives by the motto, "Freaky Fast," and that's one of the reasons why it's one of the most popular sandwich chains in the country. Everything from their sandwich-making abilities, to their fast delivery, lives up to their motto, and this particular recipe is just as fast. In just 5 minutes, you can make a batch of fresh tuna salad, just like the kind you would order at the popular sandwich chain. Instead of grabbing a bite at Jimmy John's, you can prepare this copycat tuna salad recipe in your own kitchen, saving you time and money. 

Recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating is the mastermind behind this copycat Jimmy John's tuna salad recipe that's great between buns or over lettuce. "I love how adding just a few basic ingredients to canned tuna can transform it into this super more-ish salad," she raves. Brookes also shares what makes her version stand out. "In this recipe, mayo adds creaminess, the celery and onion add crunch and flavor, and the soy sauce adds a salty, umami taste," she says. Keep reading to find out how to make this copycat tuna salad recipe. 

If you've made tuna salad before, then you know the drill. Head to the store, and grab a few cans of tuna, mayonnaise, celery, white onion, soy sauce, and black pepper to taste. "I'd say the soy sauce is the standout ingredient that makes this a little different [than] other tuna salad recipes. It really adds that extra depth of flavor," Brookes notes. 

Once you have those few ingredients, you can whip up your own batch of Jimmy John's tuna salad.

First, toss the chopped onion and diced celery in a bowl, along with the tuna, mayonnaise, soy sauce, and black pepper to taste. "Be sure to drain the tuna really well when removing it from the can, otherwise the salad may end up a little soggy," Brookes says.

Mix the ingredients together, using a spoon or a spatula to combine, and there you have your tuna salad.

Once you finish mixing the ingredients, simply top with a bit of fresh chopped parsley, if you wish. Then, the only thing left to do is dig in. If you want to serve this like they do at Jimmy John's, Brookes also shares a few of her favorite serving suggestions. "It's great served on sandwich [bread], pita bread, over lettuce leaves, or as a side with veggies and rice," she adds. 

And, it's great to eat for lunch over a few days. "Leftovers can be kept in the fridge up to 2 days," Brookes notes.