This ultimate Tuna Sandwich recipe is made with a healthy no-mayo tuna salad, and easy instructions for preventing sogginess! Tired of soggy tuna salad sandwiches like me? This is the tuna sandwich for you!
This is my absolute favorite Tuna Sandwich recipe. I know everyone has one probably, but try this ultimate version and you could change your mind! A crusty bread roll, veggies, plenty of fresh herbs in a zesty spicy sauce coating the chunks of tuna—no mayo required!
Why this Tuna Sandwich
I’m quite a tuna lover and it all comes down to this amazing tuna sandwich.
Not that I don’t do mayo, but for tuna salad, I tend to stay away from mayo. But don’t worry, it still makes the best sandwich!
I love making a nice spicy and zesty sauce in a large bowl, then I flake the tuna into this sauce and gently mix it to coat only. I don’t mash or mix the tuna too much because I really love my tuna in chunks.
When it comes to this sauce, I love having scallions or shallots as a base, no garlic whatsoever. However you can easily accommodate this tuna sandwich to your taste if you’re a garlic person.
It’s a Tuna Salad Sandwich
Even if you’re a mayo loving person, bear with me! My husband was the king of mayo tuna salad, but now he picks this tuna salad sandwich over all others.
I personally was not born a tuna lover. As I grew to appreciate food more and more, I wanted to give it a second chance, though—especially after I met my husband. He was CRAZY about tuna sandwiches.
So after some soul searching, I realized two things made me run away from tuna sandwiches. First of all, the excessive amount of mayo which made me taste nothing but mayo. Another thing is the mushy texture of tuna salad in most tuna sandwiches.
Ok so I worked my way around avoiding those two things, and I’ll tell you it wasn’t easy!
I had many tuna sandwiches, don’t even know how I managed to go through some of them. I was certainly not going to let the Tuna sandwich come between hubby and I lol.
How to make Tuna Sandwich:
When it comes to the sandwich building itself. I love a spread of mayo—ha! I told you mayo will somehow make a comeback and it did. So a nice spread of mayo on both sides of the sandwich is my way to go.
Then I layer up some fresh salad greens ( you can use kale, spinach only or just lettuce), followed by the tuna salad. I also love avocados here. Truth be told, I love avocados in general, and with sandwiches, they add the perfect smooth feel to any texture.
I finish everything off with some crunchy radishes, more jalapeño slices and more shallots.
So on top of those scallions, I add plenty of mustard (honey mustard works beautifully here too to counterbalance the spice) and some chopped jalapeños, plenty of chopped cilantro and parsley.
Also, I add plenty of chopped spicy pitted green olives. I love the tuna/olive combo, they perfectly compliment each other. Tried this Ultimate Tuna Salad Recipe with Olive Dressing before? It’s tuna salad perfection!
How do I keep my Tuna Sandwich from getting soggy?
While sliced tomatoes and cucumbers sound like the perfect addition to this tuna sandwich, I have to warn you here. They get very soggy and lose their fabulous taste and texture if the sandwich isn’t eaten right away.
So that’s why I prefer the build up I made today. The mayo layer tends to prevent the tuna liquid from making the bread soggy.
Another protective layer is salad greens, on top of which I spoon my tuna mixture. Top the tuna salad with some avocados and radishes. These toppings prevent the top crust from getting soggy too (along with the extra mayo spread).
Again I will stress this is my favorite tuna sandwich, with my favorite sauce and fixings. Try it as is I promise it’s crazy delicious! And you can always twist things around to your taste, and I know it’ll be just as awesome! Enjoy!!
Tips for success:
- Follow my instructions to keep your tuna sandwich from getting soggy.
- Choose a crusty bread bun like ciabatta and make sure to toast it, before adding the toppings.
- Use light mayo to make these tuna sandwiches even healthier.
More Sandwich Recipes
Mediterranean Turkey Sandwich – bright, flavorful and delicious! Spicy Sweet Sriracha Mango Chicken Sandwich–simply put, this is the ultimate chicken sandwich! Roast Veggie Sandwich with Basil Sauce – light veggie vegan sandwich. Blue Cheese Philly Steak Sandwich –Never has a twist on a classic tasted so good!!
Enjoy 🙂
Spicy Chunky Tuna Sandwich
This ultimate Tuna Sandwich recipe is made with a healthy no-mayo tuna salad, and easy instructions for preventing sogginess! Tired of soggy tuna salad sandwiches like me? This is the tuna sandwich for you!
Ingredients
- 6 crusty bread buns toasted
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 2 cans chunky tuna canned
For the sauce:
- 3 tablespoons grainy mustard (honey mustard, or your favorite)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 scallions slices, ( or 1 shallot)
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1/2 jalapeno minced, (more or less to taste)
- 3 tablespoons pitted green olives chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped herbs (mix of Parsley and Cilantro)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Toppings:
- handful of salad greens (spinach or kale)
- 1 large avocado sliced
- radishes thinly sliced
- onions thinly sliced
- jalapeños sliced
Instructions
-
Spread the mayo over the toasted crusty bread on both sides of each sandwich.
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In a large bowl, mix the sauce ingredients well. Taste and adjust spice, salt, sweetness if you like.
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Drain the canned tuna from oil or water and add it to the sauce bowl.
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Using a fork, gently break up the tuna into large chunks and using a spoon gently fold over the sauce over the tuna.
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Assemble the sandwiches by layering a good amount of salad greens, followed by tuna chunks, followed by jalapeños, followed by radishes and more jalapeños. place the bread top and make the sandwich.
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Top the sandwich with a piece of green olive skewered on a toothpick in the centre of each sandwich.
Recipe Notes
- Follow my instructions to keep your tuna sandwich from getting soggy.
- Choose a crusty bread bun like ciabatta and make sure to toast it, before adding the toppings.
- Use light mayo to make these tuna sandwiches even healthier.
Calls for 2 cans. What size? Looks great! We’re corona-tined, so I’ll have to sub dried spices.
Thanks!
Hi Sara, I feel you, I do the same with herbs too! I use a 5 ounce can of tuna for these 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
I love easy instructions because who doesn’t? 🙂 Delicious tuna sandwich and definitely the one I would make during the week. Thank you for sharing!
Sandwiches are life savers for busy afternoons. I am always finding stuff to build myself a sandwich when I don’t have enough time to cook. Love your sauce and great tips on layering the sandwich to prevent it from becoming soggy.
I hate soggy sandwiches so I’ll have to try your tips about the mayo and salad greens. Thanks for sharing!
I love olives and love that you added green olives to the tuna! That sounds like a delicious addition to tuna salad!
I eat sandwiches all summer long and this one is so easy and flavorful!
OK, I’ve got to say that using healthy tuna salad with sandwiches has really been my thing lately – it is always delicious! And great tips on how to prevent sogginess – thank you!
Right Kathryn? We’re all for the spice and flavor! 🙂
Thanks so much Karly!! I totally agree 😉