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    Home » Recipes » Lunch » Tuna and Sauerkraut Sandwich

    Tuna and Sauerkraut Sandwich

    by Allison · Modified: Jun 3, 2024 · Published: Mar 6, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This tuna salad sandwich with sauerkraut packs a nutritional punch with lean protein, natural probiotics from the sauerkraut, and fresh diced veggies. A delicious and wholesome anytime lunch! Or, try this Reuben sandwich if you're looking for the classic deli sauerkraut sandwich.

    Tuna salad and sauerkraut sandwich on a white plate with a blue and tan plaid napkin.

    "I actually really like it! It tastes great. And so healthy with sauerkraut and tuna. Thanks for sharing."

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Monika, One Happy Dish reader

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    I've been craving tuna and sauerkraut lately, ever since making a simple tuna sauerkraut salad. I also love a good sandwich. Like one of those nice thick, fresh deli type sandwiches on crusty bread.

    Solution: tuna salad sandwich with sauerkraut. So simple, but so satisfying. And this one travels well too if you want to make in advance.

    Did you know?

    Sauerkraut, or fermented cabbage, is arguably one of the most beloved fermented foods on the planet. It is made by using only salt to create a watery brine around the cabbage and then letting the natural microbes on the cabbage proliferate and change the nutritional profile and flavor of the cabbage into the something truly enchanting through a process called lacto-fermentation.

    If you're looking for other delicious sandwich ideas, try this avocado chicken salad, these easy turkey burgers or this tasty veggie and hummus wrap. And for another comfort food dish featuring sauerkraut, you have to try these sweet potato latkes with beet kraut or explore other dishes with sauerkraut. 🙂

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🌿 Ingredients
    • 📝 Instructions
    • 📋 Substitutions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🔪 Equipment
    • 🍱 Storage
    • 🎉 Top tip
    • 💭 FAQ
    • 🍳 Recipe

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    • Nutritious lunch option with protein, chopped vegetables and natural probiotics
    • Takes only 15 minutes to make
    • Great for meal prep and make ahead lunches
    • Flexible ingredients
    • Nice way to mix up your tuna salad routine

    🌿 Ingredients

    To keep things simple for quick lunch prep, I used just a handful of ingredients in this recipe:

    • Canned tuna
    • Celery, red bell pepper, red onion
    • Mayonnaise
    • Salt & pepper
    • Bread
    • Green leaf lettuce
    • Fresh, raw sauerkraut

    The great thing about fresh sauerkraut is that it's available in nearly all large grocery stores now, not just natural foods stores. Just make sure it's refrigerated and says "live cultures" or similar if you'd like the probiotic benefit. (The ones on the non-perishable shelves use vinegar and don't contain any live cultures.) If you plan ahead, you can even make your own sauerkraut at home!

    See recipe card below for exact quantities.

    📝 Instructions

    So the key to this recipe is getting everything chopped and prepped beforehand. Once all of your ingredients are ready to go, it literally takes just minutes to make the tuna salad and assemble the sauerkraut sandwiches.

    Three small glass bowls of chopped celery, red bell pepper and red onion on a light grey marble countertop.

    Step 1: Wash and finely chop the celery, red pepper and onion, and wash the lettuce leaves.

    Canned tuna separated with a fork in a glass mixing bowl.

    Step 2: Place the tuna in a large mixing bowl and use a fork to separate into flakes.

    Freshly chopped vegetables and tuna in a glass mixing bowl.

    Step 3: Add the vegetables and mayonnaise to the tuna as well as some salt and pepper to taste.

    Freshly prepared tuna salad in a glass mixing bowl.

    Step 4: Mix well to incorporate.

    Assembling a tuna salad and sauerkraut sandwich on a cutting board.

    Step 5: Place one slice of lettuce, half the tuna salad and half the sauerkraut on each sandwich. (Toast your bread first if you'd like!)

    Closeup of a tuna salad sandwich with sauerkraut and fresh lettuce.

    Step 6: Top both sandwiches with the top slices of bread, slice in half and serve.

    📋 Substitutions

    You can use any of the following substitutions in this recipe:

    • Celery - substitute cucumber if you don't have any celery on hand
    • Red pepper - substitute any other kind of bell pepper (orange, yellow, green) or feel free to leave out; you can also use roasted red pepper
    • Red onion - white or yellow onions also work great, as do scallions, or substitute a little onion powder instead, or some fresh or dried dill
    • Canned tuna - substitute canned salmon if you'd like
    • Green leaf lettuce - red leaf and Romaine lettuce also work great, or just leave out if you don't have any greens on hand
    • Gluten free - substitute a crusty gluten-free bread (I like the Canyon Bakehouse Heritage Style breads)

    📖 Variations

    Here are a few variations on this recipe you can try:

    • Tuna and beet kraut sandwich - use beet sauerkraut instead of regular sauerkraut; it's delicious!
    • Tuna kimchi sandwich - switch out the sauerkraut with kimchi for an extra spicy kick 🙂
    • Sauerkraut egg sandwich - substitute tuna salad with your favorite egg salad recipe and add sauerkraut; you won't believe what a great combo that is too

    🔪 Equipment

    I used the following equipment to make this recipe:

    • cutting board
    • chef's knife

    🍱 Storage

    Once assembled, this tuna sauerkraut sandwich will stay fresh for up to 24 hours in a food storage bag or covered container in the fridge.

    🎉 Top tip

    This sauerkraut sandwich recipe makes a great meal prep lunch! Simply make the tuna salad in advance (it'll store well for 4-5 days in the fridge.) In the morning, toast your bread if desired, and assemble your sandwiches with lettuce, sauerkraut and your pre-made tuna salad.

    Enjoy!

    💭 FAQ

    Can I use canned tuna for this sandwich?

    Yes; this tuna and sauerkraut salad recipe is specifically written for canned tuna, and any variety is fine to use.

    Do I have to use fresh sauerkraut for this recipe?

    No, you don't have to use fresh, raw sauerkraut if you can't find it; shelf-stable sauerkraut will still taste delicious. If you want the benefits of live probiotic bacteria, though, look for real, raw sauerkraut in the produce or refrigerated section.

    Can I make this tuna sauerkraut sandwich in advance?

    You can make the tuna salad up to 5 days in advance, store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and then assemble your sandwiches in the morning. Once assembled, the sandwiches will stay fresh for up to 24 hours in food storage bags or a covered container in the fridge.

    What if I don't have all of the fresh veggies on hand?

    No problem! This recipe is flexible so use whatever you have on hand. I love making this tuna salad with just celery and onion too, or if you don't have fresh onion, you could substitute a little onion powder or some fresh or dried dill.

    🍳 Recipe

    Tuna salad and sauerkraut sandwich on a white plate.

    Tuna and Sauerkraut Sandwich

    This delicious tuna sauerkraut sandwich boasts fresh veggies, protein and natural probiotics. Super easy to prepare for home or to go.
    5 from 2 ratings
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Lunch
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Author: Allison

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • chef's knife

    Ingredients

    • 2 stalks celery
    • ½ small red bell pepper
    • ¼ small red onion
    • 5 ounces canned tuna
    • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
    • sea salt to taste
    • freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • 4 slices bread or gluten-free bread, any kind
    • 2 leaves green leaf lettuce or other lettuce
    • ¼ cup sauerkraut or homemade sauerkraut (see notes)

    Instructions

    • Prep: Wash and finely chop the celery, red pepper and onion, and wash the lettuce leaves; set aside. Place the tuna in a large mixing bowl and use a fork to separate into flakes.
    • Mix: Add the vegetables and mayonnaise to the tuna as well as salt and pepper to taste, and mix well to incorporate.
    • Assemble: Toast the bread if desired and place one slice of lettuce, half the tuna salad and half the sauerkraut on each sandwich, slice in half and serve.

    Notes

    Sauerkraut: Look for raw sauerkraut with live cultures in the refrigerated section of the grocery store if you'd like the benefit of the natural probiotics (shelf-stable sauerkraut made with vinegar doesn’t contain any live cultures.)
    Storage: Once assembled, this tuna sauerkraut sandwich will stay fresh for up to 24 hours in a food storage bag or covered container in the fridge.
    Meal prep: You can make the tuna salad up to 5 days in advance, store it in an airtight container in the fridge, and then easily assemble your sandwiches in the morning.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 683mg | Potassium: 429mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1887IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 4mg
    Did you make this recipe?I'd love to know how it turned out! Please rate and leave a comment below, or share a picture on Instagram @onehappydish with the tag #onehappydish.

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    Comments

    1. Monika

      August 12, 2024 at 2:52 pm

      5 stars
      I actually really like it! It tastes great. And so healthy with sauerkraut and tuna. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Allison

        August 12, 2024 at 3:40 pm

        So glad you liked it, Monika! Thanks for the 5-star review!

        Reply
    2. Hector Rafael Barrionuevo

      January 03, 2023 at 5:21 pm

      Allison,

      Your recipe for the tuna and sauerkraut was delicious ! Loved the texture-enhancing celery .... An the visual presentation of the steps and ingredients is clear and attractive.

      Have you tried making flan ? I want to find a way to make it without all the sugar need for the caramel 🙂

      Awesome, healthy food blog !

      Reply
      • Allison

        January 04, 2023 at 3:02 pm

        I'm so glad you liked it Hector! Thanks for taking the time to write. Oooh--healthy flan: now you're talking. I'm definitely going to have to work on this one;)

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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