I never get tired of making copycat favorites at home. This Copycat Jimmy John’s Tuna is a great copycat recipe to make for lunch. It uses just a few ingredients and tastes just like the real deal.
I love the tuna salad at Jimmy John’s. I think this copycat recipe is not only easy to make but it’s perfect for a weekday lunch. You can eat it plain or add your favorite toppings.
Love copycat recipes? Be sure to check out this Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol, Copycat Jason’s Deli Pasta Salad, or feel free to browse all of my Copycat Recipes!
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❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy to make: This is such an easy tuna salad recipe. Just a few ingredients and a few minutes of your time.
- Accurate ingredients: This recipe calls for the exact brands used by Jimmy John’s to give you a closer taste to the real deal. They use Hellman’s mayonnaise and Starkist chunk light tuna (well drained).
- Taste: This tastes just like the restaurant version.
🥣 Ingredients needed
As always the complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card further below in the post.
For this recipe, you will need:
- Canned tuna: If possible, I recommend suing Starkist chunk light tuna in water. Drain it very well removing as much water as possible.
- Mayonnaise: Jimmy John’s uses Hellman’s mayonnaise.
- White onion and celery
- Light soy sauce
🌶️Variations
Spice lover? Try adding some hot peppers in.
🔪 Equipment needed
I recommend using a food processor to get your onion and celery very fine. If you don’t have one, that’s OK too. I’d recommend trying to get it is fine as possible with a sharp knife.
⏲️ Recipe instructions (step by step guide)
Using a food processor finely dice your onion and then your celery (image 1). I recommend doing one at a time so you can accurately measure out the onion.
Drain your tuna very well removing as much water as possible then combine the ingredients into a bowl and stir well (image 2).
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Drain your tuna very well. Remove as much water as possible.
- If possible, use a food processor to dice your onion and celery to get it very small. I also recommend you run your onion and celery separately in the food processor so you can accurately measure out ¼ cup of diced onion.
- If possible, use the brands recommended in the ingredients overview since that’s what Jimmy John’s uses.
🥡 How to store leftovers
Store the tuna salad in an airtight container in your fridge. It will be good for up to three days after making.
📋 Recipe FAQs
Yes, Jimmy Johns uses Starkist canned tuna for their tuna salad. You can see that some locations will have the tuna displayed on a shelf.
More copycat recipes that you may like:
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Pasta Salad
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Maui Mama
- Copycat Subway Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Copycat Jason’s Deli Fruit Dip
If you tried this Copycat Jimmy John’s Tuna or any other recipe on my site, please leave a ⭐ rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you and I’m always happy to try to answer any questions you may have!
Copycat Jimmy John’s Tuna
Equipment
- food processor (or you can finely chop the onion and celery with a knife)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces tuna Starkist chunk light (drain very well)
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise Hellman's is what Jimmy Johns uses
- ¼ cup onion finely diced
- 1 rib celery finely diced
Instructions
- Using a food processor finely dice your onion and then your celery. I recommend doing one at a time so you can accurately measure out the onion.¼ cup onion, 1 rib celery
- Drain your tuna very well removing as much water as possible then combine the ingredients into a bowl and stir well.8 ounces tuna, 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, ⅔ cup mayonnaise
Diana says
This tuna tastes just like jimmy johns recipe. One of my favorites
Jimmy says
Loved it! Tastes just like Jimmy John’s! Thanks for the recipe.
Keith says
Getting that signature deli-style texture at home is an absolute game-changer! The secret is in the fine chop and the perfect mayo balance, which keeps the tuna incredibly smooth and creamy without being watery. It makes for the ultimate quick sandwich or wrap.