If you’re wondering what to serve with your tuna patties, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I list 33 of the most popular side dishes for tuna patties.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best dishes to serve with tuna patties are coconut rice, roasted potatoes, spring couscous salad, and asparagus with hollandaise. You can also try fennel slaw, calabacitas, mac and cheese, or Caesar salad. To transform the patties into delicious sandwiches, try stuffing them in brioche buns.
Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Starches
Pair your tuna patties with a starchy side for the ultimate hearty meal!
I usually go with a flavorful rice pilaf or a creamy pasta dish for indulgence.
But of course you can also nestle the patties in a soft, fluffy bun for a tasty meal on the go.
Coconut rice
Most coconut rice recipes call for adding coconut milk, but Minimalist Baker’s version goes the extra mile and also uses coconut water instead of just plain water.
It’s a simple swap, but the coconut water enhances the rice’s nutty flavors without making it too rich.
Enjoy your tuna patties with coconut rice for a tasty tropical twist.
Why we love this recipe: it works well with other savory dishes.
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Coconut rice
Go Mexican
Restaurant-style Mexican rice
Make it low-carb
Garlic herb cauliflower rice
Brioche buns
You can buy brioche buns anywhere, but making them from scratch is the way to go.
They’re easy to make, but the dough needs two rounds of proofing to make them soft and pillowy.
Slather these buns with tartar sauce before stuffing them with your tuna patties to create a delicious sandwich perfect for picnics and lunches.
Why we love this recipe: you can freeze the excess buns for future consumption.
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Brioche buns
Another classic
Hawaiian rolls
Go Greek
Homemade pita bread
Quick roasted baby potatoes
These roasted baby potatoes are here to save the day if you’re feeling too lazy to cook.
They require minimal prep, and in just 20 minutes, you’ll have perfectly crisp, fluffy potatoes to serve with your tuna patties.
Petite Cooks’ recipe par-boils the spuds so they cook quickly in the oven.
But I’ve also tried roasting them without par boiling and they still turned out great – you just need to roast them for longer!
Why we love this recipe: it’s ideal for those busy weeknights.
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Quick roasted baby potatoes
Make a favorite
Buttery herbed mashed potatoes
Make it decadent
Potato gratin
Homemade mac and cheese
There are so many mac and cheese recipes to pick from, but I always come back to this version when I need something quick and comforting.
Instead of velveeta cheese, this recipe uses a blend of sharp cheddar, gruyere, and gouda to create a rich and silky sauce that’ll have you licking your fingers clean.
Pro-tip: shred the cheese by hand – it’s way better than the pre-shredded variety!
Why we love this recipe: it’s elegant comfort food.
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Homemade mac and cheese
Preheat the oven
Baked ziti
Make it herby
Pesto pasta
Salads
Salads are the way to go if you want a light and nourishing side dish for your tuna patties.
You can keep it simple with a bowl of your favorite greens (mine is arugula) tossed in a bright, zesty vinaigrette.
Or make a crisp and tangy mayo-based slaw for a creamy bite.
Think veggies alone won’t fill you up? A starch-based salad like quinoa will do the trick!
Caesar salad
The key to perfecting this classic salad is making the croutons and dressing from scratch (and using fresh lettuce leaves).
It’ll take a bit more time, but the crunch from the homemade croutons and the creamy, garlicky goodness from a DIY dressing are unbeatable.
Prop your tuna patties over this Caesar salad for a light but satisfying lunch.
Why we love this recipe: it’s restaurant-worthy without the expensive price tag.
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Caesar salad
Fire up the oven
Roasted broccoli Caesar salad
Make it different
Butter lettuce salad with honey mustard vinaigrette
Spring couscous salad
This couscous salad is a must-try if you aren’t a fan of leafy greens.
Instead, the crunch comes from the peas and walnuts mixed into the couscous.
Crumbled feta cheese is also added to bring a salty, tangy kick to every bite.
But what ties everything together is the fresh basil vinaigrette that will have you making this again and again.
Why we love this recipe: you can make this salad ahead of time.
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Spring couscous salad
Make it summer-inspired
Summer couscous salad
Add a sweet kick
Moroccan couscous salad
Fennel slaw
Take a break from your typical coleslaw and try this fennel-based version instead.
Fennel is known for its sweet, aniseed-like flavor, but don’t worry if you aren’t a fan.
The mint vinaigrette does a great job of mellowing out this flavor, and gives you a refreshing contrast to cut through the tuna patties’ greasiness.
Psst… use a mandoline to achieve perfectly thin fennel slices.
Why we love this recipe: a serving only has 90 calories.
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Fennel slaw with mint vinaigrette
Add a fruity note
Mango jicama slaw
Back to basics
Apple cider vinegar slaw
Vegetables
Whether you’re serving your tuna patties with a starchy side or not, you still need a warm veggie side to complete the meal.
Buttered veggies are an excellent kid-friendly option, or you can fire up the oven and roast them if you don’t want to man another pan as you fry your tuna patties.
Asparagus with hollandaise sauce
I love pairing freshly steamed asparagus with tuna patties.
It may seem too simple, but the steamed asparagus spears add a pop of green to brighten the plate and a fresh bite to contrast your fried tuna patties.
And the hollandaise sauce adds just enough indulgence to make the meal special.
Why we love this recipe: this combo is versatile – serve it for brunch or dinner.
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Asparagus with hollandaise
Skip the stovetop
Cheesy garlic roasted asparagus
Fire up the grill
Lemon and feta grilled asparagus
Summer roasted vegetables
Roasting is my favorite way to cook fresh summer produce.
After all, there’s nothing better than enjoying a plate full of colorful and juicy veg brimming with sweet caramelized edges.
I used to dice everything up and chuck it in the oven in one go, but Our Salty Kitchen recommends cooking the veggies in batches so the veggies crisp up better.
It adds a bit more work, but the results are worth it!
Why we love this recipe: the oven does the cooking for you.
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Summer roasted vegetables
Go French
Ratatouille
Make it Italian
Eggplant caponata
Spicy blistered green beans
I love regular garlic and parmesan green beans, but this recipe is the way to go if you want to shake things up.
The green beans are quickly fried in oil, giving them a crisp-tender bite and lightly crisp skins.
But what really makes this dish special is the Asian-style sauce that gives the green beans a fiery, umami kick.
Why we love this recipe: it’s excellent for regular and holiday dinners.
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Spicy blistered green beans
Ditch the heat
Blistered green beans with miso butter
Make it indulgent
Green beans in parmesan sauce
Calabacitas
Want to add a Mexican twist to your tuna patties? Pair them with this classic Mexican veggie side dish!
It features zucchini, corn kernels, and peppers in a deliciously light cream sauce.
Isabel Eats’ recipe includes tomatoes, but I usually leave them out and this dish still turns out fabulous.
Why we love this recipe: it’s kid-friendly.
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Calabacitas
Make it decadent
Baked parmesan creamed corn
A Cajun classic
Corn maque choux
The best side dishes for tuna patties
- Coconut rice
- Brioche buns
- Quick-roasted baby potatoes
- Homemade mac and cheese
- Caesar salad
- Spring couscous salad
- Fennel slaw
- Asparagus with hollandaise sauce
- Summer roasted vegetables
- Spicy blistered green beans
- Calabacitas
What To Serve With Tuna Patties (33 Ideas)
Ingredients
- 1 portion coconut rice
- 1 portion calabacitas
- 1 portion caesar salad
- 1 portion brioche buns
- 1 portion fennel slaw
- 1 portion asparagus with hollandaise … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your tuna patties according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: coconut rice, brioche buns, quick-roasted baby potatoes, homemade mac and cheese, caesar salad, spring couscous salad, fennel slaw, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, summer roasted vegetables, spicy blistered green beans, and calabacitas.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!