Great sauces for canned tuna range from classic creamy bases like mayonnaise (often with Dijon & lemon) to zesty vinaigrettes, Asian-inspired blends (soy, sesame oil), or spicy mixes (sriracha, hot sauce), pairing well with fresh herbs, pickles, or capers for added flavor and texture.
13 Sauces That Pair Well With Tuna
You can add creamy bases like mayo or Greek yogurt, crunchy veggies (celery, onion, carrots, pickles, peppers), fruits (grapes, apples), herbs (dill, parsley, cilantro), and spices (paprika, garlic powder, cumin) to canned tuna; for more flavor, try mustard, lemon juice, hot sauce, soy sauce, wasabi, olives, or even curry powder for a classic salad, or mix it with pasta, rice, or make tuna patties.
Instead of using mayonnaise in your tuna salad, you can use a simple olive oil based dressing like this one that uses lemon juice and Dijon mustard. What can you eat tuna with besides bread? You can serve this tuna salad recipe on a bed of lettuce, in a tortilla wrap, on your favorite bun, or even in a lettuce wrap.
My general go to tuna combos are:
For a super quick lunch, grab a can of tuna in olive oil (it's so much better than the in-water alternatives) and mix with a little Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. For an added crunch, add shredded carrots, finely chopped red onion and celery. Season with salt and pepper.
Cherry tomatoes burst with acidity and sweetness that brightens heavy tuna preparations, while cucumber adds refreshing crunch and subtle cooling effects. Root vegetables offer different pairing opportunities. Thinly sliced radishes provide peppery bite, while carrots contribute natural sweetness and satisfying crunch.
a small amount of some dried herbs - feel free to experiment between dill, oregano, etc. coarsely diced baby dill pickles. I specifically like the babies because they are crunchier than large pickles, and they are added not just for the acidic counterbalance to the fish/mayo, but as a textural component.
Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt can be used as a 1:1 swap for mayonnaise on sandwiches, whisked into homemade salad dressing, or folded into potato salad. It's a protein-rich substitute that offers the same creamy consistency of traditional mayonnaise.
No Mayo Tuna Salad
In a mixing bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, dill, garlic powder, salt, pepper and red chili flakes until well combined. Add the drained tuna on top, along with the celery, bell peppers, red onions and capers. Gently stir until well combined.
7 Ways to Turn a Can of Tuna Into Lunch (or Even Dinner)
Tuna is not only delicious and easily pairs with your favorite recipes, it fuels your body, too! 1. Is canned tuna fish good for you? Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus.
Some tuna cans that say do not drain because they don't add oil, water, fillers, preservatives, and GMO soy broth. Cans that say do not drain contain only tuna or sometimes salmon. They only have natural occurring fish oils and juices and those are rich in omega threes.
While some tuna salad recipes lean on olive oil or even Greek yogurt, it's hard to beat creamy, savory mayonnaise. To keep things from getting too heavy, fresh lemon juice and a little Dijon mustard bring balance and brightness.
Be inspired to put that humble tin of tuna to delicious use with our easy tuna recipe ideas.
Tuna + Cheese
The classic—with red onion, celery, and cheddar—is favorite for good reason, but we like to switch the flavors up a bit, subbing the celery out for chopped fennel, which adds light, refreshing flavor. Or give tuna the cheesesteak treatment on long rolls with Swiss cheese and a red-pepper mayo.
In a small-medium work bowl, combine the yogurt/sour cream, mustard, horseradish, dill, salt, and pepper. and add both to the yogurt/sour cream mixture. Add chives/green onions. You're done.
Other healthy options:
Options include Hellmann's Light, Blue Plate Light, Kraft Reduced Fat Mayo with Olive Oil, Spectrum Light Canola Mayo, Kraft Flavored Mayo (e.g. Chipotle), and The Ojai Cook Lemonaise Light.
Switch up the spread
Another smart swap is to replace regular mayonnaise or high-fat spreads with hummus or Greek yogurt. These options add creaminess while also offering a healthy dose of protein and probiotics. You can mix Greek yogurt with herbs and spices to create a flavourful and lower-calorie sandwich spread.
Greek yogurt offers a creamy, tangy, and nutritious substitute for mayonnaise in tuna salad. Greek yogurt has a thicker and creamier texture than regular yogurt and contains more protein.
You can add creamy bases like mayo or Greek yogurt, crunchy veggies (celery, onion, carrots, pickles, peppers), fruits (grapes, apples), herbs (dill, parsley, cilantro), and spices (paprika, garlic powder, cumin) to canned tuna; for more flavor, try mustard, lemon juice, hot sauce, soy sauce, wasabi, olives, or even curry powder for a classic salad, or mix it with pasta, rice, or make tuna patties.
Ingredients
🐟🌶️ Try these genius tips to elevate the flavor of canned tuna like never before! 🤩💥 👉 Mix in some sriracha or hot sauce for a spicy kick! 🌶️🔥 👉 Add freshly squeezed lemon juice for a tangy twist! 🍋😋 👉 Sprinkle in some dried herbs like dill or parsley to enhance the taste!
5 Ways to Make Your Canned Tuna Healthier, According to Registered Dietitians
Tunas in olive oil are tasty, practical and versatile, but another key advantage is that they are also highly nutritious (of course, we're talking about high quality tuna).