The tuna sandwich is a classic Subway menu item for good reason – it’s simple, affordable, and tasty. The combination of tuna salad and fresh veggies stacked high on freshly baked bread is hard to beat. But sometimes you want to spice things up and take your tuna sub to the next level. A great way to do that is with sauce!

Sauce can totally transform the flavor of a sandwich. The right condiment pairing brings out new dimensions in the tuna and other fillings, making your lunch more exciting. So let’s explore some of the best sauces to elevate your Subway tuna sandwich experience.

Classic Mayo: You Can’t Go Wrong

First things first – Subway uses a signature eggless mayo blended with mint in their tuna salad. It’s creamy, tangy, and compliments the tuna perfectly While this specific mayo isn’t sold to the public, any high quality mayonnaise makes a great pairing.

Mayo is the classic choice for a reason. Its cool rich flavor is a perfect complement to warm tuna. The savory umami taste of the tuna also balances the slight sweetness in the mayo. Start with a layer on both bread slices then add more mayo directly to the tuna mix for extra moisture and flavor.

Honey Mustard: A Touch of Sweet & Tangy

Honey mustard is a popular twist on the classic mayo. If you like a little sweetness with your savory tuna salad, this is the sauce for you. The combination of smooth, rich mustard and sweet honey makes for a delicious flavor pairing.

Drizzle or spread the honey mustard directly onto the sandwich for maximum coverage Or mix some right into the tuna salad filling if you want it incorporated throughout The tartness of the mustard and acidity of the honey cut through the richness of the tuna.

Add Some Heat with Chipotle or Sriracha Mayo

For those who like a little kick to their sandwich, spicy mayos are a great choice. Mixing sriracha, chipotle peppers, or hot sauce into the mayo gives it a fiery flavor upgrade.

The creamy base of the mayonnaise balances and cools the heat. Meanwhile, the spices add smoky, savory depth to the simple tuna mix. Add sliced pickled jalapeños for even more crunch and heat.

Oil & Vinegar: Keep it Classic

Can’t go wrong with the classic oil and vinegar duo. The sharp acidity of the vinegar cuts through the rich tuna salad beautifully. Meanwhile, the oil adds lush mouthfeel.

Use high quality extra virgin olive oil and balsamic for optimal flavor. A drizzle on both the top and bottom bun makes every bite pop with brightness. For an extra punch, sprinkle on dried Italian herbs like basil, oregano or rosemary.

Ranch: Cool, Creamy Indulgence

Creamy, herbaceous ranch dressing is a heavenly pairing with tuna. It has a similar cool, rich texture as mayo, but with way more flavor complexity. The combination of garlic, onion, herbs and spices gives it a tangy zip.

Drizzle ranch over both sides of the bun for full coverage. Or dip your sandwich right into the sauce for a messy, indulgent bite! The cooling ranch perfectly balances the meaty tuna. Add cucumber and tomato for a classic flavor combo.

Give it a Southwest Kick with Avocado Ranch

For a more flavorful take on ranch, try avocado ranch. The addition of smooth, creamy avocado gives the sauce extra richness. Southwest seasoning like cilantro, chipotle and cumin add smoky, spicy complexity as well.

The cool, creamy ranch pairs so well with the chunky tuna mix. While the lime, onion and herbs in the sauce bring out new flavors and textures. Spoon it on top of your tuna sub for a tasty Southwest twist.

Sweet Onion Sauce: A Surprising Flavor Bomb

Here’s an outside-the-box sauce suggestion that works surprisingly well – sweet onion sauce! The creamy, caramelized onion flavor adds sweetness and depth to the savory tuna. It’s an unusual but delicious flavor combination.

The onions also provide a fun new texture mixed right into the tuna salad. Meanwhile, the creaminess of the sauce mimics mayo or ranch. Try buying Subway’s brand or make your own at home by sautéing onions in butter until caramelized and blended with mayo or Greek yogurt.

Add Creaminess with Caesar Dressing

Caesar dressing is another excellent choice for creaminess. Its rich, tangy flavor comes from eggs, olive oil, Parmesan, lemon juice and anchovies. The classic dressing pairs perfectly with protein-rich tuna salad.

Drizzle it directly onto your sandwich for a tasty flavor infusion in every bite. Or shake it up by using Caesar as the base for your tuna salad rather than mayo. The creamy parmesan and lemony tang make a gourmet sandwich filler.

Give BBQ Sauce a Whirl for Sweet, Smoky Fun

Feeling experimental? Swap the mayo for sweet and smoky barbecue sauce! It may sound odd, but the tangy tomato base and hints of smoky spices pair surprisingly well with tuna. The sweetness balances the fishy flavor.

Hickory smoked or honey BBQ sauce work great. Add sliced red onions and pickles to really bring the flavors together. The crunch of the veggies paired with the zesty BBQ tuna salad is an unexpected delight.

Quick and Easy Sauce Hacks

Don’t have time to mix up an elaborate sauce? No worries – you can hack the sauces you already have on hand for an instant flavor boost:

• Add a dash of lemon juice or vinegar to tart mayo

• Mix in a spoonful of mustard, salsa or hot sauce for a spike of flavor

• Blend in garlic, onion or other dried herbs and spices

• Thin out thick sauces with a splash of olive oil for easier drizzling

With a simple extra ingredient or two, you can transform basic condiments into craveworthy tuna sub sauces.

Mix and Match for Custom Creations

Now for the fun part – get creative mixing and matching sauces for all new flavor combos! Blend ranch and BBQ sauce for a creamy, smoky topping. Combine Sriracha mayo, honey mustard and touch of lime for spicy-sweet, or mix Caesar dressing with a splash of balsamic vinegar.

The options are endless, so unleash your inner sauce scientist. Part of the joy of build-your-own sandwiches is customizing with fun new flavors.

How to Build the Perfect Tuna Sandwich

Now that you’ve got the sauce figured out, let’s build the perfect tuna sub from the ground up. Here are some tips for mouthwatering sandwiches every time:

1. Start with High-Quality Bread

A great sandwich begins with excellent bread. For tuna subs, chewy yet soft bread works best. Italian herbs, roasted garlic, multigrain or seeded breads all make solid base options.

Toast or grill the bread lightly for extra texture and flavor. Just don’t let it get too crunchy or it won’t hold the saucy ingredients well.

2. Layer on Fresh Veggies

Don’t skimp on the veggies! Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onions, peppers and more make tasty, healthy toppings. Spinach, sprouts and greens are great too.

Layer thinly sliced veggies on the bottom bun first. This prevents the bread from getting soggy from sauces and moist tuna salad.

3. Spread on Sauce

Next up – sauce time! Spread or drizzle your sauce of choice generously on both the top and bottom buns. This flavors every bite.

Get right to the bun edges for complete coverage. Leave the middle open for tuna filling.

4. Pile on Protein-Packed Tuna Salad

Now spoon on heaping portions of your tuna salad mixture. Spread it evenly from edge to edge and pack it down gently to form a solid tuna layer.

Feel free to get creative with mix-ins like chopped eggs, avocado, roasted peppers, celery, capers, herbs and more!

5. Top it Off with Cheese and Veggies

Lastly, finish it off with cheese and any remaining vegetable toppings. Cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss and provolone all melt nicely.

Then pile on sliced tomato, onions, spinach and other veggies of your choosing. Add banana peppers, olives or pickles for extra flavor punch.

6. Wrap it Up Tightly

Before serving, wrap your stacked sub nice and tight. Place a piece of foil or paper over the top and press down gently to compact ingredients.

Let it rest for a few minutes to let flavors mingle. Then slice in half and enjoy your sauce infused tuna sub!

Tips for Building the Perfect Tuna Sandwich

With the right ingredients and a little technique, you can make restaurant-worthy tuna subs at home. Follow these tips