Tuna salad has been eaten for over 100 years. The first written reference to tuna salad, in America, appeared in 1907, and by 1914, dozens of recipes had been published.[2] Tuna salad, especially with celery, is similar to chicken salad while also being more convenient (due to the use of canned tuna), a fact that helped its early rise in popularity.
Due to the high nutritional content of tuna salad, it assumed the reputation of a diet food in the 1960s.[2]
Dishes
In the United States, tuna salad is often considered its own dish. However, it may be added to noodles with its standard ingredients (onions, mayonnaise, and celery) to make a tuna pasta salad. Tuna salad is also commonly seen in American salad bars.[citation needed]
In Belgium, the dish pêches au thon/perziken met tonijn ('peaches with tuna') is made from halved canned or fresh peaches stuffed with tuna salad.[3] It is widespread throughout the country, and, due to its ease of preparation, it is common fare at potlucks.