Most people like tuna steaks because they are rich sources of proteins. They also come with all the essential amino acids that your body needs to grow. That is not all. If you consume canned tuna, you get omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your heart’s health. All these, plus the delicious nature of tuna, are enough reasons why you should have it for your dinner whenever you get the chance. I would even advise you to get aside to serve with it so that you can maximally enjoy your meal.
What is tuna steak?
Tuna steak is known as the sea’s beef tenderloin. It is meaty and tasty. When cooked, its flavor is a bit similar to that of beef. Depending on the variety, tuna steak’s color can be light pink or even reddish.
There are different ways to cook it. You can grill, pan-fry, or bake it. When marinated, it absorbs flavors pretty well.
When you buy tuna steaks and keep them unrefrigerated for a while, they might go bad. Then, they are not healthy for consumption, and you shouldn’t cook them. How do you know that your tuna steaks have gone bad? They will have a sour smell, and their color will darken a bit. You can also feel for their texture. If it is slimy, your raw tuna steak is bad.
Regardless of your method of preparing tuna steaks, I would recommend that you get a food pairing to serve with them.
What should I serve with tuna steaks?
If you are making for a side dish for tuna steaks, you need to be creative. This is the best way to serve something that pairs nicely with them. A lot of things come into play when deciding which one it should be. For instance, how you cook and season your steaks will determine the dish that complements it best. Also, you need to have a balanced diet. Therefore, you should pick a side dish that has some nutrients that your tuna steak lacks.
There are different foods that you may pick. Some are easy to make while others come with recipes that are a little complicated. Cooking one side dish might also take you more time than preparing another.
Let us give you some ideas. Below, we have compiled a list of side dishes that will look and taste great when served with a tuna steak.
Garlic Fries
Getting a plate of delicious crispy garlic fries to serve with grilled tuna steaks is ideal. In about 50 minutes, they will be ready. You might like the fact that this recipe doesn’t require a lot of ingredients.
Minced cloves of garlic, canola oil, baking potatoes, and finely chopped parsley leaves are all you require. Do not forget to add a pinch of salt to taste. This side dish is most delicious when you serve it immediately. Thus, cook your tuna steaks sometime earlier.
Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Salads and any type of meat always make a great pair. That is why serving your tuna steaks with this salad never disappoints. It is raw, fresh, and delicious. What’s even better is that it requires easy-to-find ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes, green pepper, and red onions. If you would love to dress the salad with herbs, nothing should stop you. You can use any type of cucumber, but always make sure that you remove the seeds.
Creamed Spinach
This is a nutritious dish that goes well with tuna steaks. Like most dishes, there are a variety of ways to make creamed spinach. You should use fresh spinach that you have to wilt first. Frozen spinach will also come in handy because it gets creamy quickly. Other ingredients that you will need for this simple recipe are cayenne pepper, garlic, parmesan cheese, unsalted butter, and all-purpose flour. You may add ground nutmeg if you want.
Mashed Potato Cakes
This dish makes an excellent side for many cuisines that include tuna steaks. The main ingredient here is mashed potatoes that you will make into cakes by frying them lightly in oil. You have to boil them first though. Adding a little cheese as well as seasonings that you like would be harmless. When choosing the add-ins, you can be a bit creative. For instance, a combination of pepperoni, green pepper, oregano, and mozzarella would be awesome. Another that you can try out is Dijon, cheddar, ham and red bell pepper.
Gazpacho soup
Get vegetables and fruits of your choice to make this classic Spanish cuisine to serve with tuna steaks. Some of the great options that you can use for this recipe include tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, tomato juice, and avocadoes. Most people love it because it takes up less time (25 minutes) and it is healthy. It is also refreshing mainly on hot summer days. There are different ways to make it. Please go for a recipe that is simple, as long as you can access all the ingredients.
Fava beans
There are more than ten ways to cook fava beans. They are rich in nutrients that include proteins, minerals, vitamins, soluble fiber, and folate. If you choose to have them as your side dish for tuna steak, free up some time because you will need it. Start by peeling them and removing their waxy outer skin. Other things that you require to do is boil and drain them. There are other steps that I might not be able to explain here, but they are all worth it. To know about them, feel free to look for fava beans recipes online. Regardless of the method you choose, when they are done, you will be blown away by their tasty flavor.
Do not shy away from serving your tuna steaks with a side dish. They will be more palatable, and your meal will be nutritious. You can go for starchy sides like garlic fries and mashed potato fries. Soups like the gazpacho are also great. Additionally, salads, veggies, and beans would make excellent sides as long as you prepare them well.