When you’re in the mood for tuna salad, it’s likely that you make do with whatever type of canned tuna you have in your pantry. Making an intentional choice next time you’re at the grocery store, however, can make all the difference in the taste of your tuna sandwich. We talked with Rodger Bowser, Chef and Managing Partner at Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, and Melanie Shurka, Executive Chef and owner of Kubeh in Greenwich Village, to get the skinny on what tuna lends itself fantastic tuna salad.
Shurka recommends looking at imported tuna if you’re interested in elevating your sandwich. She uses dark Italian, Sicilian, Tunisian, or Spanish tuna in the tuna salad at Kubeh. Bowser prefers American tuna, and recommends looking for “the best line-caught, water-packed tuna you can find.” He’s specifically a fan of American Tuna, a San Diego-based tuna company that uses eco-friendly fishing methods that cut down on the amount of mercury in the finished product.
Whether you stick with your go-to tuna or you choose top-ranked canned tuna brands, you’ll also want to think about whether you want to go with tuna canned in water vs. oil. As we mentioned, Bowser uses tuna packed in water for a lighter taste, while Shurka prefers the fattier flavor of tuna that’s been packed in oil.
Other tips to build the flavor profile of your tuna salads
After you’ve found your preferred brand, it’s time to upgrade your canned tuna so you can create tuna salad that will have you craving more. Dicing up fresh produce can be a great way to start your tuna salad. You don’t have to stop at the standard tuna salad additions of red onion and celery — cucumber can add freshness, jalapeño peppers can add spice, and diced apples can add a touch of sweetness (this is Martha Stewart’s go-to addition for crave-worthy tuna salad). Failing to add textural contrast is one of the most common mistakes home chefs made when creating tuna salad — adding some walnuts or chopped cashews can work well alongside the crunch of produce.
Consider adding unexpected elements to top off your tuna salad. Bacon, for example, adds a ton of flavor that can take your tuna salad to the next level. Adding crispy potato chips to your sandwich just before serving can also add a delicious, salty, savory crunch, and can help stop your toast from getting soggy.
