Spicy Tunacado Sandwich Recipe (Joe & the Juice Copycat)
This Spicy Tunacado Sandwich Recipe (Joe & The Juice Copycat) is everything you love about café sandwiches. It's crispy, creamy, spicy, and ready in minutes. Pressing the bread ahead of time gives you that thin, café-style crunch, and the layers of fresh ingredients make each bite satisfying without being heavy.
Panini press or large skillet with a heavy lid or weight
Sharp serrated knife
Cutting board
Mixing Bowl
Pastry brush (for brushing olive oil)
Ingredients
25 ounce canstuna, water-packed, well drained
4tablespoonmayonnaise
1teaspoonDijon mustardoptional
1-2teaspoonsrirachato taste
½ripe avocado
1Roma tomatothinly sliced
¼small red onionthinly sliced
2tablespoonbasil pesto
1whole ciabatta loafabout 12 inches, unsliced
1tablespoonolive oilfor brushing the crust
Salt & black pepperto taste
Instructions
Brush the entire outside of the whole, uncut ciabatta loaf with olive oil. Place it in a hot panini press or skillet and press for 2–3 minutes, until flattened and lightly crisped. Remove and let cool slightly.
In a bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, sriracha, Dijon (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy and well combined.
Once cooled slightly, slice the ciabatta open lengthwise, like a book (do not cut it into portions yet).
Bottom side: spread basil pesto, then layer sliced Roma tomato and thin red onion.
Top side: mash ½ avocado, then spread the tuna mixture over it.
Close the sandwich gently.
Cut the full sandwich crosswise into halves or portions and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Storage Spicy tunacado is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in foil or an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.Freeze Do not freeze.Reheat: This dish is served warm or at room temperature. Reheat briefly in a skillet or toaster oven to re-crisp the bread.Substitutions
Tuna: Try canned salmon or shredded rotisserie chicken.
Avocado: If you’re out, use a dollop of Greek yogurt or even hummus for creaminess.
Sriracha: Use Calabrian chili paste, chili crisp, or leave it out for a no-spice version.
Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.Nutrition information is only an estimate