Tuna salads come in a lot of types.
And you can add almost any types of ingredients you want. However, the most popular tuna salad is the Mexican one that contains beans and hot peppers.
While you can have a delicious tuna salad by itself and call it a meal, there are also certain side dishes that will ensure an even better culinary experience if you like them along with your tuna salad.
You can pair tuna salads with onion rings, french fries, vegetable salads, coleslaw, potato chips, and many other dishes including soups and meat dishes.
Best 12 Dishes That Go Great With Tuna Salad
Choose the best side dish to go with your tuna salad according to your preferences as there are many options to go for when you put together such a meal!
1. Onion rings
Onion rings might be one of your favorite snacks. However, you can also combine them with a tasty tuna salad and you will not regret it.
Onion rings are easy to prepare at home as long as you have good size onions and a crust mix. The crunchy onion rings will complement the texture of tuna salad in a beautiful way.
It is important to have freshly made onion rings so you can maximize this type of meal as much as possible.
2. French fries
French fries are some of the best side dishes for almost any type of food and a tuna salad is no exception.
You can either use regular potatoes or sweet potatoes to make a portion of spicy French fries. Add some French fries seasonings to your meal so you enhance the taste even more.
You can also use your favorite sauce on the side for extra flavor.
3. Vegetable salads
It might seem weird to combine two different salads together. However, a vegetable salad and a tuna salad are actually one of the tastiest combinations you can make for your meal.
You can use any type of vegetable salad from those made with fresh veggies to those made with grilled veggies. They will be a great side dish when you have your favorite tuna salad.
As an important tip, try not to use the same vegetables that you already have in your tuna salad so you get a wider variety of nutrients in your meal.
4. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is one of the most popular salads. It goes great with tuna salads as well as with plain tuna cans.
You can find coleslaw salads already made. You can also make it from scratch as it is one of the easiest dishes to prepare at home.
All you need is cabbage, carrots, mayonnaise, and olive oil, along with some seasonings of your choice to enrich the flavor of the ingredients.
5. Potato chips
Potato chips can be homemade or you can buy them from one of the popular brands that are already on the market.
These chips are very compatible with tuna salads and they will enrich the taste of tuna in a significant manner. Plus, you can prepare one of the best comfort foods by adding a portion of chips next to your tuna salad.
6. Your favorite soup
Tuna salads go great with different types of soups including veggie soups that could be cream soups or regular soups. You can make the most out of your tuna salad if you eat it with a warm soup and maybe some sour cream to make your soup even tastier.
Tuna salad will go best with soups that are based on veggies rather than those that have meat. Ultimately, it is going to come down to your personal preferences.
7. Olives
Olives and tuna are a match made in heaven.
You can enjoy any type of olives, from plain ones to those that are stuffed with peppers, cheese, or almonds. Your tuna salad might already come with some olives but if it doesn’t, you can always add them on the side.
If you want to enjoy your tuna salad with olives, go for a type of olives that is different from the ones in the salad.
8. Steak
You wouldn’t think that tuna goes well with steak.
However, you might be amazed if you try this combination. A tender juicy steak can be delicious next to a tuna salad and you can choose any type of meat you want.
The only type of meat that will not complement a tasty tuna salad is another type of fish. However, beefsteak, for instance, can be a great side dish to your tuna salad.
It will provide a wide variety of protein from your meal.
9. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes, just like fries, go great with almost anything and this side dish will be very tasty with your tuna salad as well. You can enjoy your mashed potatoes with some plain tuna from your favorite can as well and you will obtain a tasty meal.
Regular potatoes and sweet potatoes make a great tuna salad side dish. You can try other types of mashed veggies like mashed broccoli or mashed peas as well if you want to experiment in the kitchen.
10. Fruits
Fruits are never the first choice when you think of a side dish for your tuna salad.
But many fruits taste great along with a tuna salad like apples, pears, and berries. You can combine these fruits in a salad or just have some slices on the side along with a tuna salad as the main dish.
Oranges and sweet melon are a great choice to pair with your tuna salad as well. Feel free to use any topping you prefer on your fruits or simply eat them plain.
11. Bruschettas or bread
Bread or bruschettas are some of the most common side dishes for a tuna salad as well as for many other main dishes.
If you don’t want to have some plain bread, making a bruschetta recipe at home is fairly easy and you can add other toppings to it such as chopped tomatoes or ham.
You can get as creative as you want with your bruschettas and even have them plain with olive oil and garlic.
12. Pasta
Pasta can be a great addition to your tuna salad.
You can use spaghetti or farfalle, as you prefer but any type of pasta will appear and taste great with a Mexican tuna salad.
If you want, you can use the tuna salad as a topping and actually add it on top of your pasta for a more complete dish.
What To Eat With Tuna Salad Instead Of Bread?
If you like to have your tuna salad with bread, you are not the only one. Many people prefer this combo. However, if you don’t have bread, you can always enjoy your tuna salad with fries or mashed potatoes.
Potatoes tend to be the best substitute for bread. Pasta is also another option to use instead of bread regardless of what type of pasta you go for.
What Vegetable Goes With Tuna Salad?
When it comes to the best veggies that go with tuna salad we will recommend red peppers as well as corn and potatoes as some of the main choices.
You will love your tuna salad with fresh veggies as well such as tomatoes and cucumbers and you can enrich the flavor with the right dressing for a perfect meal.
What To Eat With Tuna Macaroni Salad?
If you are having a tuna macaroni salad, chances are you will not want to apply other types of pasta in it or as a side dish.
However, you can enjoy it with a nice salad made of fresh veggies. Such salad goes great with a side of pickles as well and some of your favorite olives.
Final Tips
Tuna salads are some of the most delicious tuna dishes in the world. And almost every country has its own version of tuna salad. You will, however, enjoy this dish even more if you mix it with one or more of the options in this guide.