Give Tuna Salad Sandwiches A Fresh, Crunchy Take By Throwing On One Tangy Topping

There is one unexpected but totally tangy tuna salad mix-in you really ought to try if you've been wanting a refresh on this staple sandwich. Head's up, we're borrowing a bit from tuna salad's Italian sub counterpart. We're talking, of course, about the crunchy, yellow, ever-so-delicious banana pepper.

Banana peppers are no stranger to a good sandwich. Not to be confused with pepperoncini, banana peppers are found mostly in their pickled form. They're not all that spicy, but pack a lovely punch that goes perfectly with the taste of tuna salad. They can also perk up or replace other pickled tuna salad ingredients, such as capers and pickle relish.

There are two ways to add banana peppers to your tuna salad sandwich. You could add them as a topping, in which case just remove those yellow rings of goodness straight from the can and pop them atop your sandwich. Otherwise, for a more immersive banana pepper experience, chop the ringed peppers into smaller bits, mix them in with your other ingredients, and serve as you please. I really go at it to get them to a relish-like consistency, but a rough chop works just as well. Add as many or as little peppers as you please to get your optimal flavor profile.

There are many ways to amp up banana peppers. For example, if you want more pepper punch in your tuna salad, but adding more bits of pepper just isn't doing the trick, add some of the juice from the banana pepper jar. You only need a little bit for this trick; if you're worried about a runny salad, start with 1 tablespoon and build from there.

Also, consider giving your tuna salad a deli counter twist by topping your sandwich with provolone and adding diced tomato, red wine vinegar, and oregano to the mix. This turns your sandwich from blasé lunchbox fare to a blend of two incredibly delicious sandwiches. If this is too much for you, you can reach for ingredients that help play up your peppers without losing focus on the classic tuna salad recipe. Adding bright, fresh herbs, such as dill, can help play up the bright flavor of your peppers. If you want even more complexity, add some roasted cherry tomatoes, which give a similar sweetness but with a deep, caramelized flair. You can also skip the usual jarred rings and go for a banana pepper relish to bring a touch of sweetness, making it the perfect swap for pickle relish. Don't be afraid to mix and match until you get your perfect sandwich.