Giada De Laurentiis Shares Secrets for Perfecting Italian Tuna Salad Sandwiches

The celebrity chef reveals how raisins, olive oil, and other unexpected ingredients can elevate a classic tuna sandwich.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis shared her tips for adding an Italian twist to tuna salad sandwiches, including soaking raisins in hot water to soften them, using high-quality olive oil instead of mayo, and incorporating other Mediterranean ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, red onions, and capers. De Laurentiis believes the sweetness of the raisins perfectly balances the savory and briny flavors of the tuna.

Why it matters

Tuna salad sandwiches are a lunchtime staple for many Americans, and De Laurentiis' advice offers a creative way to elevate this classic dish with Italian flavors. Her recommendations showcase how simple ingredient swaps and preparation techniques can transform a basic tuna sandwich into something more unique and flavorful.

The details

According to De Laurentiis, the key to perfecting an Italian-style tuna salad sandwich is soaking the raisins in hot water overnight to soften them and bring out their sweetness. She also suggests using high-quality olive oil instead of mayonnaise to achieve a "creamy, velvety texture." Other ingredients De Laurentiis recommends adding include sun-dried tomatoes, red onions, cannellini beans, capers, and lemon juice. She notes that cranberries can also work as a substitute for raisins if needed.

  • De Laurentiis shared these tips in an exclusive interview with Food Republic in 2026.

The players

Giada De Laurentiis

An Italian-American chef, entrepreneur, and TV personality who hosted the Food Network program "Giada at Home" and is known for her expertise in Italian cuisine.

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What they’re saying

“I love the sweetness of the raisins in the bread. Just the raisin and a high quality ciabatta or some kind of loaf, country loaf with raisins is delicious. And I love the sweet with the savory. I think that really works wonderfully.”

— Giada De Laurentiis, Celebrity Chef (Food Republic)

“You need to soak them first in hot water to kind of bring them back to life so they're not so chewy. As a result, they will become softer, tastier, and easier to digest.”

— Giada De Laurentiis, Celebrity Chef (Food Republic)

“The olive oil really is sort of the creamy, velvety texture that you would get from a mayonnaise.”

— Giada De Laurentiis, Celebrity Chef (Food Republic)

The takeaway

Giada De Laurentiis' tips for elevating a tuna salad sandwich with Italian flavors, like soaking raisins, using olive oil instead of mayo, and adding Mediterranean ingredients, showcase how simple tweaks can transform a classic lunchtime staple into something more unique and delicious.