Tuna sandwiches are a classic lunchtime staple, known for their delicate yet satisfying flavor profile. Yet, deciding what to serve alongside this beloved sandwich can sometimes be a challenge. After all, you want something that complements the sandwich without overwhelming it.
I’ve put together a list of 16 tasty side dishes that go great with tuna sandwiches just for you.
For sides with tuna sandwiches, the best things to eat are tomato soup, fried pickles, ricotta, salad Nicoise, carrot and celery sticks with ranch dip, sweet potato fries, pasta salad, fruit salad, coleslaw, bean salad, and shrimp Louie salad.
French fries go great with tuna sandwiches because they are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. The simplicity and comforting familiarity of French fries make them a fantastic companion to any sandwich. Plus, they offer a pleasing textural contrast to the softer tuna sandwiches.
Tomato soup and sandwiches are a classic pairing. When you mix the rich, creamy tuna with the sour and sweet tomato soup, you get a well-balanced and satisfying meal. Serve it hot, garnished with a dollop of cream or some croutons for an extra treat.
For a tangy, crispy side, consider serving fried pickles with your tuna sandwiches. The pickles’ sour taste goes well with the tuna’s creamy texture, and the crunchy coating gives it a nice crunch. These little bites are sure to be a hit.
Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill are mixed together to make the tangy and fresh Tzatziki sauce. It goes well with any tuna sandwich spread. You can also serve it as a side dip for vegetables or pita bread. Its cooling and creamy qualities can help balance out the rich, salty tuna, making for a delicious contrast in flavors.
Add some honey to ricotta cheese and serve it on the side with a tuna sandwich for a sweet and creamy treat. You can spread the ricotta on the sandwich to make it creamier, or you can eat it by itself, which is a great way to balance out the savory sandwich.
Blooming onions can be a fun and tasty side dish for tuna sandwiches. They have a great crunch and a slightly sweet taste. The strong onion flavor goes well with the mild tuna, and the crunchy fried petals make for a fun contrast in texture. Serve it with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Salad Nicoise, with its mix of fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and olives dressed in a sour vinaigrette, can be a great side dish for a tuna sandwich. Its a nod to the classic French dish, tuna Nicoise salad, and the flavors complement each other beautifully.
A Shrimp Louie salad is a great side dish. It usually has fresh lettuce, boiled shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, and Louie dressing, which is a creamy dressing like Thousand Island. The salad is light and refreshing, and goes well with the tuna sandwich. The seafood connection makes it even better.
The tuna fish sandwich is a ubiquitous lunchtime staple – familiar, convenient and endlessly versatile. While a classic tuna salad stuffed between two slices of bread never gets old, sometimes you want to spice things up and take your sandwich game to the next level. The good news is there are countless options for customizing your tuna fish sandwiches and pairing them with delicious sides to make a more exciting, well-rounded meal.
Exploring Creative Toppings and Mix-Ins
A huge part of tuna fish sandwich appeal is just how amenable it is to customization. Mix up your usual tuna prep by incorporating creative ingredients to add intrigue and depth of flavor. Here are some topping ideas to inspire your sandwich artistry:
- Sliced avocado for creaminess
- Sautéed mushrooms for meatiness
- Sliced hard boiled egg for protein
- Crumbled bacon for crunch
- Sliced cucumbers for freshness
- Sautéed onions for savory depth
- Sprouts and microgreens for texture
- Roasted red peppers for sweetness
- Pesto sauce for herby flavor
- Hummus for creaminess
- Sundried tomatoes for richness
- Sauerkraut for tanginess
- Jalapeños for spice
- Pine nuts for crunch
The possibilities are practically endless when it comes to produce herbs and other mix-in ingredients that pair well with tuna salad’s cool creamy fishiness. Get creative with textures, flavors and visual appeal to take your sandwich up a notch.
Explore an Array of Bread Options
An easy way to keep tuna sandwiches feeling fresh is to swap out standard sliced bread for different artisanal loaves and rolls Here are some bread alternatives to stimulate the senses
- Pretzel rolls for chewiness
- Focaccia for herbs and olive oil
- Ciabatta for airy lightness
- Brioche for buttery richness
- Pita for portable convenience
- Bagels for fun shaping
- Naan for exotic flair
- Croissants for flaky decadence
- Tortillas for wrapped ease
- Rye for nutty complexity
- Sourdough for tangy zing
- English muffins for nooks and crannies
Venture beyond plain white bread and experiment with all the wonderful flavors and textures possible with bakery fresh breads. Finding just the right dough base can bring new life to your tuna fish sandwiches.
Elevating the Tuna Salad Itself
Of course, transforming the tuna salad filling itself opens up even more possibilities for gourmet sandwiches. Some twists on tuna prep to try:
- Mix in Greek yogurt for extra creaminess
- Add cornichons and capers for briny tang
- Use a blend of three fish varieties – tuna, salmon and whitefish
- Toss in chopped hardboiled eggs for protein
- Add hot sauce or sriracha for spicy zip
- Mix in curry powder, citrus zest or sesame oil for exotic flavors
- Substitute cannellini beans for half the tuna to stretch it further
- Top with an olive tapenade or artichoke relish
Taking your tuna salad up a notch not only makes for a great tasting sandwich, it also helps reduce the boredom of eating the same old thing. A little extra creativity goes a long way!
Perfectly Paired Sides
An often overlooked key to making tuna fish sandwiches feel special is pairing them with complementary side items. Instead of just chips, get creative with tuna-friendly sides like:
- Pasta salad: Rotini, chopped veggies, Italian dressing
- Potato salad: Creamy mustard dressing, eggs, scallions
- Fresh fruit: Pineapple, grapes, melon, citrus sections
- Veggies and dip: Carrots, celery, cucumbers, hummus
- Chips and salsa: Blue corn chips, pico de gallo
- Soup: Minestrone, lentil, chicken noodle
- Leafy salad: Spinach, mixed greens, vinaigrette
- Slaw: Creamy coleslaw, jicama slaw, broccoli slaw
- Couscous: With chopped herbs, lemon, olive oil
- Quinoa salad: With corn, black beans, dressing
- Greek salad: Feta, olives, onion, cucumber, tomato
Mix and match to create a complete meal. Not only do great sides make lunch more satisfying, they also complement and bring out new dimensions to your tuna fish’s flavor.
Elevated Presentation for Entire Meal
Once you’ve crafted the ultimate gourmet tuna fish sandwich, consider raising your presentation to match. Use these ideas to elevate the whole meal:
- Serve on artisanal bread boards with sides in bowls
- Garnish sandwiches with greens, tomatoes, pickles
- Include condiments in mini ramikens for dipping
- Make sandwiches into tuna melts under the broiler
- Skewer stacked sandwiches with frilled toothpicks
- Portion sides into pedestal martini glasses
- Arrange side salads in hollowed out vegetables
- Stack sandwiches as pretty towers
It’s amazing what a little extra attention to styling and serving your sandwiches and sides can do in terms of making lunch feel special. Use ingredients and tableware you have on hand to create an Instagram-worthy tuna fish sandwich meal.
Final Thoughts
While the classic tuna salad sandwich will never let you down, it’s fun to explore creative variants using mix-ins, bread options and compelimentary sides to keep things interesting. Elevate the experience with gourmet preparations and artful presentation. With so many possible flavor combinations, textures, colors and servings styles, you could enjoy fresh takes on tuna sandwiches for years to come without repeating yourself. So don’t settle for boring when it comes to your next tuna fish sandwich – craft something to satisfy even the most discerning palates. Get creative!
FAQs About Tuna Sandwich Pairings
What bread goes best with tuna salad?
Some of the best bread options for tuna sandwiches are focaccia, brioche, sourdough, rye, croissants and pretzel rolls. Sturdy artisanal breads with lots of flavor pair well with the hearty tuna salad.
What are some crunchy things to add to tuna salad?
Great crunchy mix-ins for tuna salad include celery, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, peppadew peppers, pickles, apples, water chestnuts, toasted nuts or seeds, and crumbled crackers or tortilla chips.
Can you eat tuna sandwiches without mayo?
Yes, you can make tasty tuna salad without mayo by using olive oil, avocado, hummus, yogurt or tahini instead. Lemon juice, vinegar, mustard and herbs also add lots of flavor.
What goes good on tuna sandwiches?
Great toppings and mixes for tuna sandwiches include avocado, hard boiled egg, bacon, sprouts, lettuce, tomato, spinach, sauerkraut, roasted peppers, pesto, pickles, jalapeños, and hummus.
What is the most popular side with tuna sandwiches?
Some of the most popular sides paired with tuna sandwiches are potato salad, pasta salad, fresh fruit, leafy greens, tortilla chips with salsa, and classic coleslaw.
Pickle Spears
Pickle spears are a go-to side for any sandwich. Their sour crunch goes well with the creaminess of a tuna sandwich. Whether dill or sweet, the contrast of flavors enhances the overall eating experience.
Potato Chips
Nothing goes quite as well with a sandwich as a side of crunchy potato chips. Their salty crispness provides an excellent contrast to the creaminess of the tuna filling. Choose kettle-cooked chips for extra crunch or flavored chips with things like sour cream and onion for more flavor.