TikTok has given us many unique and delicious recipes over the last few years – from feta pasta and pizza toast to baked oats and whipped coffee.
However, one viral recipe I keep coming back to is the tuna and avocado, or ‘tunacado’ sandwich from Danish coffee shop chain Joe & The Juice.
This viral sandwich was made famous on TikTok in 2022 and, after trying the original version while in London for work, I’ve been obsessed ever since.
Consisting of a creamy, slightly spicy whipped tuna spread combined with fresh, buttery slices of avocado coated in pesto and wedged between two pieces of lightly toasted bread, there is so much hype around this viral recipe for a reason.
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The only downside is that we don’t currently have a Joe & The Juice here in Northern Ireland, which is one of the main reasons I was inspired to create my own tunacado recipe so I could enjoy this protein-packed, omega-3-fuelled sandwich whenever I fancied and now you can too.
To be honest, there isn’t a huge difference between my version and the original Joe & The Juice sandwich, aside from the price point, but it’s very quick and easy to make, especially if you’re heading out the door or just craving something delicious and nutritious.
If you were to buy this sandwich from a café it would set you back roughly around £9.60, so the main aim of creating my own take was to deliver all that delicious, healthy goodness using simple ingredients most of us already have in the cupboard. This dish can be pulled together in a matter of minutes for a fraction of the cost.
I also like to use a pitta to form the base of the sandwich for an added boost in fibre and it’s the perfect bread to recreate the Joe & The Juice signature crunch – just stick it in the air fryer for a few minutes to crisp up.
However, this is the type of recipe you can put your own spin on and get a bit creative with. I know some people enjoy adding a little extra heat with some chilli flakes or firing in a few extra herbs for freshness.
Personally, I’m obsessed with mustard so I include 1–2 tablespoons in the tuna mix and it tastes unreal. If you like a bit of heat don’t be shy with the hot sauce either. It’s already in there but add more if that’s your thing. That’s the beauty of my recipes – feel free to tweak them to suit your own taste.
This sandwich is also perfect for meal prep. You can make the tuna mixture and keep it in a container for 3–4 days in the fridge then take it out and prepare it whenever you have the time, making it an ideal addition to your weekday lunch plans.
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So, whether you’re already a tunacado superfan or only just discovering the hype, this is one recipe worth adding to your repertoire.
It’s quick, filling, full of flavour and can be easily adapted but the fact that it also saves you a few quid compared to buying from a café makes it all the more satisfying.
I love that you can prep it in advance, make it your own and enjoy it wherever you are – whether that’s at your desk, on the move or at home with your feet up.
That’s the kind of food I like to share – simple, healthy and never boring. Give it a go and I reckon it might just become your new lunchtime favourite too. Let me know how you get on!
Ingredients
For the tuna mixture:
- 300g canned tuna, drained
- 80g mayonnaise, reduced fat
- ½ lemon, squeezed
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- Handful of coriander, chopped
- Three jalapeños, diced
- Dash of hot sauce
- Salt and black pepper to taste
To serve:
- Two tsp green pesto
- ¼ avocado sliced
- ¼ tomato sliced
- Wholemeal pitta
- Fresh dill
Method
- In a mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna with mayonnaise, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a dash of mustard, chopped coriander, finely sliced jalapeños, a few drops of hot sauce, and season generously with salt and pepper. Use a fork to mix everything thoroughly until well combined and evenly coated.
- Trim the corners off your bread to mimic the signature look of the Joe & The Juice tunacado, then pop it into an air fryer for 5 minutes at 200°C, until it’s crisp and lightly golden.
- Once your flatbread is ready, slice it open and spread about 1 teaspoon of pesto on each inner side. On one half, layer the tuna mixture, followed by slices of ripe tomato and creamy avocado.
- Finish with a few sprigs of fresh dill for a burst of herby brightness. Close the sandwich, then wrap it in some greaseproof paper to recreate that iconic Joe & The Juice style aesthetic.
