Tuna mayonnaise sandwiches are an all-time classic and have long been a staple inside many lunchboxes. Introducing a wedge of cucumber helps give the humble snack a slight fanciness that means it’s not out of place on even the most elegant of afternoon tea menus, but food experts say there is another way to elevate the flavour of the dish. Rather than mashing tinned tuna with mayonnaise, it’s recommended that sour cream is used instead.
Sour cream is considered an ideal substitute for mayonnaise because it lends it a creamy and smooth texture, with a slightly sweet tang that helps to enhance the flavour of the tuna without overpowering it.
Food experts at Tasting Table say: “While the mayo’s custardy, egg tones are typically expected, you’ll find sour cream’s sweet, creamy medley to be just as (if not more) satisfying.
“Both mayonnaise and sour cream have a tangy flavour base, but sour cream has a milky richness that brings a refreshing element to tuna salad. The fish’s usual salty, savoury taste is less dull and instead, perfectly balanced by an equal amount of deep and bright flavours.
“Even better, with sour cream’s consistency, there’s also a textural shift that makes for a much better eating experience. Everything comes together beautifully on the taste buds — the fish’s tender yet chewy bites and the veggies’ slight crunchiness, all coated in the sour cream’s velvety thickness.”
Sour cream also has the added benefit of generally being lower in fat compared to mayonnaise, so it’s a slightly healthier option that still delivers a wonderfully rich and creamy taste.
To make your sandwich filling, Food.com recommends adding one tablespoon of sour cream (either regular or low-fat) to 5oz of tuna in a bowl and mashing this together.
For an extra burst of flavour you can add in a pinch of salt and black pepper and one teaspoon of mustard, although the latter is entirely optional.
Once the ingredients are all combined you can add more sour cream (and mustard) depending on your preference. Then simply serve your tuna salad in a sandwich and garnish with some slices of cucumber, tomato and lettuce for a burst of freshness.