Tunacado Sandwich Recipe (Joe & the Juice Copycat)

A healthy lunch with 47 grams of protein. This copycat Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich recipe is incredibly delicious and super filling.

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Have you heard of the Tunacado sandwich from Joe & the Juice?

This viral sandwich was made famous on Tiktok last year, and it’s been haunting my brain ever since! Creamy tuna mousse. Crispy bread. PESTO. What’s not to like?!

The only problem is, I live in Canada and therefore this delicious looking lunch is totally inaccessible to me. If you’re in the same boat and want to try this healthy lunch as much as I do, this is my copycat version. And because I’m a dietitian, mine is a little lighter, higher in protein, but just as delicious.

This is one of the tastiest tuna sandwich recipes I’ve ever made, and it couldn’t be easier to prepare.

Why you’ll love this copycat Tunacado sandwich recipe

47 grams of protein: This healthy lunch has a LOT of protein without any weird products or powders. Canned tuna, greek yogurt, and whole grain bread make up the protein content here.

One bowl: You can make the tuna salad (Joe & the Juice likes to call this “tuna mousse”) in one bowl with minimal chopping. It’s super quick and easy to make.

Filling: Because this homemade tunacado sandwich contains protein and fiber, it will keep you full for hours and keep your blood sugar super stable.

Tasty: Red onions, capers, dill, lemon juice, avocado, and pesto. Those are just a few of the delicious ingredients in this recipe that make for a super satisfying and balanced meal.

Ingredients in the tunacado sandwich

There’s two components to the copycat Joe & the Juice Tunacado sandwich: the tuna mousse, and the sandwich assembly.

The tuna mousse is really just a smooth tuna salad. To make it, you’ll need:

• Tuna packed in water: You can use flake or chunk tuna for this. I prefer the kind packed in water vs oil, because there’s a lot of fat elsewhere in the recipe. This keeps this lunch more balanced.
• Red onion, capers, and fresh dill: For flavor. You can omit the capers if you can’t find them or don’t love them. You could also use dried dill if needed, but it’s not quite as fresh and tasty.
• Dijon mustard: I love the flavor this adds to the tuna mousse.
• Plain greek yogurt: The original recipe uses mayonnaise, but I find it just a bit too heavy here. Not to worry: you’ll get plenty of satisfying fats from pesto and avocado in the sandwich assembly.
• Lemon juice: I’d recommend using fresh lemon juice instead of bottled.
• Salt and pepper: I don’t think it needs salt, but you’re welcome to add it. I used about 4-5 cranks of a pepper mill.

To assemble your sandwich, you’ll need:

• Whole grain bread: Joe & the Juice uses a crispy flatbread for their Tunacado sandwich. For this recipe, I’m recommending regular whole grain or whole wheat because it’s easier to find. Use a bread with large slices to make room for all the fillings.
• Avocado: This adds the most delicious creamy texture.
• Pesto: Use store bought pesto to make life easier. I recommend trying to find a refrigerated pesto instead of what sits on the grocery shelves for a brighter taste.
• Tomato: You’ll just need 1-2 slices to bring some juicy balance to this creamy sandwich.
• Salt and pepper: You’ll season your tomato slices before adding your tuna mousse to the sandwich.

Other topping ideas

Try these other toppings to make the Tunacado sandwich your own.

• Jalapeno slices
• Romaine lettuce
• Sprouts
• Cucumber slices
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Goat’s cheese
• Pickled carrot

How to make it

Toast your bread and set aside.

In a small bowl, add drained tuna, red onion, capers, dill, mustard, greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix very well with a fork until you have an almost smooth tuna salad.

If desired, you could prepare this in a food processor instead (but I prefer a bit of texture remaining).

Spread pesto on one slice of bread. On the other slice, spread mashed avocado.

Add tomato slices, and season with salt and pepper. Top with tuna, close your sandwich, and slice as desired.

Variations

No fish: Swap canned tuna for canned chicken for a fish-free sandwich.

Plant-based: Swap canned tuna for 1/2 cup mashed chickpeas for a vegetarian sandwich.

Spicy tunacado: Leave out the avocado, and add jalapeño slices and hot sauce.

Cheesy: Swap avocado for melted sharp cheddar cheese.

What bread does Joe & the Juice use?

Joe & the Juice uses a large rectangular flatbread for their tunacado sandwich.

They slice it in half and toast it like a panini for a super crisp experience.

For this recipe, we’re just using regular whole grain toast. You’re welcome to swap it for whatever you like! I recommend making sure the slices are big though, since there’s a lot of tuna mousse to fit inside your sandwich.

Can I make the Tunacado sandwich ahead of time?

The tuna mousse is a bit wet, so I don’t recommend assembling your sandwich too far in advance. Your bread might get soggy as it sits.

Instead, I recommend preparing the tuna mousse and storing it separately from your bread and toppings. When you’re ready to eat, toast your bread and assemble your sandwich as instructed.

The tuna mousse will stay good in the fridge for up to three days. Mix before serving.

More healthy lunches

Top tips to make the Tunacado sandwich at home

Toast the bread well: You’re going to want a crisp, crunchy bread. Trust me! It creates a delicious contrast between the bread, avocado, and tuna mousse.

Mix your tuna mousse extra well: You want this tuna salad to be extra smooth with minimal texture. If you want, you can also prepare it in a food processor.

Use fresh dill and lemon juice: Nothing beats the bright flavor from using these ingredients fresh.

Use thin-sliced bread: The original flatbread from Joe & the Juice is super thin and crisp, so you’ll want to try your best to replicate that at home.