The Tangy Ingredient That Will Jazz Up Your Tuna Salad

The culinary world is filled with variations of dishes that have the ability to widen eyes and make someone say, "Wow!" But those same meals can have far less allure when they lack flavorful ingredients that elevate them to their full potential. Though it may bring back nostalgic memories of childhood, gone are the days when a simple blend of tuna and mayo qualified as an enticing tuna salad. While a quality mayo can give the dish a nice texture, it doesn't bring much to the table flavor-wise. An appealing tuna salad needs the help of elements that brighten it up, and a relish is one such ingredient.

While you can enhance the flavor of a tuna salad in many different ways, a tangy relish not only seasons it but also lends it a welcome crunchy texture mixed in every bite. However, not all relishes are created equal. There are many different versions to choose from when using relish in a salad, but there are a couple that will best complement the slightly fishy taste of tuna.

You could always be adventurous and add a jalapeño relish that will bring a little heat to the dish, but tangy ingredients are a safer option with a fish salad. A sweet pickle relish made with finely diced cucumbers and onions and seasoned with sugar, mustard seeds, and celery seeds will create a taste and texture profile that will complement the tuna without overpowering it. 

When using wet additives like condiments to flavor the mix, you want to avoid ending up with a soupy mess, so completely draining the meat is essential. Once it has drained as much as possible, place the meat in a bowl and begin adding relish, mayo, and any additional seasonings to the mixture. It's important to add these ingredients slowly so as not to end up with watery tuna salad. You can always add more, but you can't take it out once it's mixed in.

Tuna salad can also be jazzed up with a tangy dill relish. The dill gives the meal a more herbaceous, anise-like zip than sweet relish, and the cucumbers will provide the crunchy texture many yearn for in this classic dish. Because the dill version comes packed with so much flavor, there isn't much you need to add before putting it on a tuna melt.

Relish is a semi-magical condiment that is able to elevate more than just tuna. If seafood isn't your thing, you can make a saltier ham salad and add a touch of sweetness with a pickle relish. Or maybe you don't want meat on the menu. Take a classic potato salad (seen above) up a notch by adding a tangy dill relish, giving the dish a zesty liveliness. A simple egg salad can be boosted with a sweet relish and Kewpie mayo.

Whichever combination you choose, it is crucial to mind how long it sits in the fridge — the only place it should be stored. If left out at room temperature for more than two hours, it could have developed bacterial growth that could make someone ill. A homemade tuna salad will last for three to five days when properly refrigerated in an airtight container, as will a potato or ham version. Because of its short shelf-life, it's best to make smaller batches guaranteed to be eaten quickly. After going the extra mile to add ingredients that will give it some zing, you will want to ensure your tuna salad doesn't spoil before it can be enjoyed.