This article was updated on the 31st of August 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your tuna tartare, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 12 of the most popular side dishes for tuna tartare.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best dishes to serve with tuna tartare are fried wonton strips, turmeric rice, creamy horseradish sauce, or pineapple salsa. I also really like sugar snap peas, cold soba noodles, or avocado and cucumber salad. Lettuce cups offer an innovative way to serve the tuna tartare.
For each side dish, I’ve provided alternative options to cater to various diets and lifestyles, including vegan, quick and easy, and health-conscious options.
Fresh and Light Sides
These side dishes are light, zesty, and are great for cutting through the richness of the tuna tartare.
Pineapple Salsa
4.9 ⭐️ (7 ratings) | 15 mins
Fresh fish instantly transports me to a beach on a tropical island. Do you know what else has that effect? This pineapple salsa.
Enjoy a heaping spoonful of this fruity and refreshing topping on your tuna tartare. The vibrant colors make the tartare even more irresistible, and you get the yin and yang of sweet and sour.
Not a fan of pineapple? No worries, I’ve had success using fresh mangoes in this recipe. It’s a tad sweeter, but you still get a zesty kick from the lime juice and cilantro.
What readers are saying…
“Love this salsa! It’s perfect with chips, on top of salmon, in tacos, eaten with a spoon – you name it! Best pineapple salsa recipe ever. I make it all the time.“
“Yuuummmmm!!! The sweet, the spicy, the crunch, the freshness…Ooolala!! This will probably have to be my meal until the bowl is gone.”
“Tastes so good. I love it. Pineapple is one of my favorites.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🔥 Teriyaki Grilled Pineapple Salsa
🥝 Kiwi Jalapeño Salsa
🇲🇽 Pico de Gallo
Stir-fried Bok Choy
4.7 ⭐️ (7 ratings) | 30 mins
Bok choy is one of my favorite leafy veg. Its subtle taste, satisfying crunch, and deep green leaves are hard to resist. Just don’t overcook it or it can turn limp.
This recipe kicks things up a notch by finishing the bok choy in an umami-loaded soy sauce-based dressing that complements your tartare’s lightly fishy, salty notes.
Psst… enjoy this veggie side with your tuna tartare and a bowl of turmeric rice (mentioned below) for a tasty and hearty meal.
What readers are saying…
“This sweet, tender vegetable is unfortunately rather prone to accumulating grit and dirt in between those stubby, bulbous stalks. But no matter! Just slice your baby bok choy in half, length-wise, and give them a good rinse under a strong stream of cold water…”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Sugar Snap Peas
5.0 ⭐️ (2 ratings) | 10 mins
In a time crunch? Nothing is as easy as a bowl of sugar snap peas.
It’s my go-to dish when I want a fresh and healthy side, and luckily it pairs wonderfully with tuna tartare. The crunchy peas add a hint of sweetness to the buttery, delicate tuna. And if that’s not enough, Lacey from A Sweet Pea Chef sprinkles fresh lemon zest over them to give them a pop of brightness.
What readers are saying…
“Delicious! I squeezed some of the lemon juice over the peas, in addition to the zest. I loved the way the peas weren’t mushy, crisp, and tender.”
“We just tried these tonight. I only had dried thyme powder, but it came out wonderful! My son requested seconds.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Lettuce Cups
5.0 ⭐️ (1 rating) | 10 mins
For a novel way to serve your tuna tartare, use lettuce cups. They have a fresh crunch that rivals the bite you’d get with pita chips. And they’re a breeze to make, but also fancy enough for a quick weekend dinner.
You don’t really need a recipe for this — simply get some washed baby romaine or butter lettuce and spoon in the tartare.
But the recipe I’ve linked includes a broccoli cauliflower “rice,” which you can mix with your tuna tartare for heartier lettuce cups.
What readers are saying…
“Very tasty and easy to make! I needed a little more dressing so I just added a garlic/olive oil one I had. I also just used almond slivers that I browned on the stove. Very good!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Starchy Sides
Think tuna tartare alone won’t be able to fill you up? Consider pairing it with a hearty, starchy side for a more satisfying meal.
Fried Wonton Strips
5.0 ⭐️ (2 ratings) | 10 mins
These crispy little snacks are perfect for scooping up your tuna tartare. They’re wonderfully crunchy and look fun with their bubbly skin.
You can find premade bags in most grocery stores, but they’re so easy to make that I never bothered buying them. And if you have an air fryer, you can skip all the oil to keep them a bit healthier without losing out on the crunch.
Making them from scratch also allows you to play around with the seasoning. I personally like adding a pinch of cayenne for a fiery kick.
What readers are saying…
“The perfect crunchy snack! Love this simple recipe.”
“These crispy wonton strips would disappear in our house!”
“The air fryer makes this so darn easy! I want these on all the soups and salads. Perfect crunch!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Cold Soba Noodles
5.0 ⭐️ (21 ratings) | 10 mins
As a self-confessed carboholic, I am all for anything containing carbs. But many carb-loaded sides are too heavy for tuna tartare, so I was delighted when I came across these cold soba noodles. They’re refreshing, easy to make, and bursting with umami flavor.
The noodles are dunked in a tasty sauce known as tsuyu, which only has 4 ingredients: dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. But whenever I feel a bit extra, I also add in grated ginger for an added kick.
Serve these cold soba noodles alongside tuna tartare on a summer’s day. YUM.
What readers are saying…
“The flavor is perfect! Thanks for this easy recipe – perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.”
“I haven’t tried it with yolks yet, but overall this tasted just like what I got at Japanese restaurants while living in Los Angeles.“
“This was so easy to make and so delicious! And I love that the sauce lasts for so long in the fridge.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🍜 Sesame Ginger Cucumber Soba Noodle Salad
🧘♀️ Teriyaki Zucchini Noodles
Quinoa Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (76 ratings) | 1 hr
Are you looking for a simple salad that’s filling and not too mainstream?
Quinoa salad is always a good choice. The mango and avocado in this salad give it a tropical theme, so it won’t feel out of place next to your tuna tartare.
The red pepper and onion bits give this salad some bite, and a drizzle of the simple lime dressing ties everything together with a tart flavor, helping cut through your tartare’s richness.
What readers are saying…
“It was sooo sensational and the flavor was so good, everything paired together so perfectly, very balanced I was surprised how delicious and flavorful this was!”
“This was delicious! Will definitely make again. We did not have mint or cilantro, but it was great even without those.”
“Such a good and refreshing salad!!! I added some feta- fantastic !!! Thanks for sharing!!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Pita Chips
5.0 ⭐️ (50 ratings) | 15 mins
If wonton strips or crackers aren’t for you, what about pita chips? They’re just as crunchy but are slightly sturdier, so you can load them up with more of your tuna tartare.
Like wonton chips, pita chips are widely available premade, but they’re a breeze to make from scratch too. Suzy from The Mediterranean Dish shares the secret: not lining the baking sheets with parchment paper.
This technique ensures the pita slices are in direct contact with the hot pan, which gives them a more even golden brown color and crunch.
What readers are saying…
“I just made these with some day-old pita I bought and they are wonderful. I will never buy pre-made pita chips again.”
“Great tips for making a treat that the whole house loves. AND, you can use these for almost any dip…”
“These are absolutely delicious.. I used Kosher salt and Za’atar. Very crispy and flavorful. It pays to watch them in the oven as mine were done in about 6-7 minutes.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Turmeric Rice
5.0 ⭐️ (29 ratings) | 25 mins
Jazz up your plain white rice with the help of an underrated spice, turmeric!
This spice has a compound called curcumin, which allows it to bring a vibrant yellow color to the usual white rice. Turmeric also has a subtly warm, earthy aroma that helps balance the tuna tartare’s cold, delicate flavor.
Another thing I love about this rice dish? Everything is cooked in one pot, so you’ll have fewer dishes to deal with.
What readers are saying…
“This was a great recipe! I made it today and my family loved it! I opted out of the butter to lessen the calories.”
“I have prepared this recipe many, many times! My husband and son request “yellow rice” often!”
“My Algerian husband just loves this recipe! He’s always asking me to make it.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🥥 Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice
🧘♀️ Turmeric Cauliflower Rice
Smooth and Creamy Sides
If you’re feeling indulgent, creamy sides are the perfect accompaniment for tuna tartare. Be warned, though — you only need these sides in small amounts or your meal will be too decadent.
Cucumber Rounds with Cream Cheese
5.0 ⭐️ (1 rating) | 15 mins
These fancy cucumber rounds topped with cream cheese are the perfect hors d’oeuvres to serve before tuna tartare.
Or you can serve them together by placing a portion of the tartare on top of the cucumber. The cream cheese will keep it in place. These cucumbers are really light and refreshing, so they won’t fill anyone up completely.
Not a fan of the herby creamy cheese? No worries, you can easily switch things up. I personally like adding chili powder to bring a fiery sensation to these treats. You can also try mixing in seasoning blends like Cajun, Creole or Italian, or even garlic paste!
What readers are saying…
“These were perfect for our bunco last night!!! Thank you for a quick and easy, fresh and simple recipe. I served them on a pewter tray over fresh butter lettuce leaves, and they were so pretty!”
“Mmmm! That herbed cream cheese sounds so good! Such a pretty summer snack or appetizer!”
“Perfect recipe for summer entertaining – LOVE the ingredients!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
😍 Cucumber Avocado ‘Sushi Rolls’
🌿 Cucumber Cups with Basil Pesto Filling
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
5.0 ⭐️ (17 ratings) | 2 mins
Everything tastes better with some sauce, right?
And this horseradish sauce is a great choice for tuna tartare. It has a nice spicy kick, similar to wasabi, and a prominent tang from the sour cream and Dijon mustard. But no worries, it won’t overpower the flavors of the tuna tartare. Plus, it has a light creaminess that pairs well with your fish.
I prefer drizzling this sauce over a serving of tuna tartare but you can also serve it on the side or even combine it with the tartare for more flavor.
What readers are saying…
“Perfection! Just what I was looking for.”
“This is the most exquisite horseradish sauce for your beef, pork, chicken, lamb or just to spoon up!”
“Excellent flavor enhances overall presentation as well and is easy to make. It is my go-to now as it is also versatile.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Avocado Cucumber Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (67 ratings) | 15 mins
Avocado and cucumber are two classic accompaniments to tuna tartare, so combining them in a salad makes a lot of sense. You get the best of both worlds — a crunchy and a creamy contrast, all at once.
This salad is best enjoyed immediately to avoid the avocados from oxidizing. But if you’re making this salad a few hours ahead of time, the lime in the dressing will help slow down the browning. Natasha also recommends covering the salad with plastic wrap, directly over the surface.
What readers are saying…
“Absolutely delicious and very satisfying 😋 This will definitely be my go-to summer salad.”
“I did not like avocado until I tried this salad. So good! Red onion works as well in this salad.”
“My favorite green salad!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
What To Serve With Tuna Tartare – 12 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion pineapple salsa
- 1 portion pita chips
- 1 portion creamy horseradish sauce
- 1 portion lettuce cups
- 1 portion avocado cucumber salad
- 1 portion cold soba noodles … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your tuna tartare according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: pineapple salsa, fried wontons strips, sugar snaps peas, cold soba noodles, quinoa salad, creamy horseradish sauce, cucumber rounds with cream cheese, pita chips, avocado cucumber salad, stir-fried bok choy, turmeric rice, and lettuce cups.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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