Tuna salad is a pretty simple recipe — it's really just canned tuna, celery, and mayo mixed together. Of course, adding a few other ingredients, like onions or relish, can go a long way toward making this classic dish really stand out. That malleability is partly what makes tuna salad so widely beloved, which explains why the introduction of miso into its medley of flavors has been such a hit.
Miso, a fermented soybean paste with a salty and savory umami profile, pairs perfectly with the mayo-slathered tuna that you'd normally add salt to anyway. If you think you've never had it, you probably have. It has and even has its own soup.
Miso's popularity is evident in its accessibility: These days, you can find it in tubs in just about any major supermarket, often next to the tofu. It's generally categorized by color, which corresponds to the flavor profile. So if you're looking for miso for your tuna salad, white miso's sweeter taste might be the best choice.
More ingredients to pump up your miso tuna salad There are with miso paste to really bring out that umami burst of flavor. Try a little fish sauce or curry powder, and for solid ingredients, give bell peppers or even kimchi a shot. The real secret ingredient that pairs best with miso is Kewpie mayonnaise.
The , so there's no excuse not to try it if you're a mayo fan. Compared to American mayo's whole eggs and white vinegar, Kewpie uses egg yolks and rice vinegar for a silkier texture and more complex flavor. Together with .