We Can’t Get Enough of This Viral Tunacado Sandwich—Here’s How to Make It

Updated: Apr. 27, 2024

Tuna and avocado have combined to become the internet's favorite lunch and we're obsessed.

Tuna and avocado are each tasty in their own humble ways, though neither is particularly innovative or groundbreaking. However, when you put tuna and avocado together on a sandwich—in the hands of a TikTok influencer— and call it “tunacado”…look out! Because the tunacado is now the trendiest sandwich on the internet, with the #tunacado hashtag on TikTok clocking more than 17 million views.

It all started a couple of months ago when TikTok creator Danielle Matzon posted a video about the tunacado sandwich she bought at Joe & The Juice, a coffee and juice chain that also offers sandwiches and bowls.

@dzaslavsky Tunacado #tunasandwich #joeandthejuice #capers #pickle ♬ original sound – danielle

What Is a Tunacado Sandwich?

The tunacado sandwich at Joe & The Juice follows a simple formula: Joe’s special flatbread, tomato, avocado, “vegan pesto,” and “tuna mousse.” In Matzon’s videos, she suggests upgrading it with hot sauce, capers and pickles. In one video, she even visits a Joe & The Juice location and gets step-by-step instructions from an employee.

@dzaslavsky The making of the Tunacado at the Prince Street location in NYC #joeandthejuice #tunacado ♬ original sound – danielle

This creamy, green fruit is good in more than guac! Follow our best avocado recipes for pasta, sandwiches, scrambled eggs, and more.

How to Make a Tunacado Sandwich

This version of the tunacado sandwich calls for a classic pesto. If you want a vegan pesto, omit the parmesan cheese and substitute a ¼ cup of nutritional yeast. For the tuna mousse, use canned tuna.

Ingredients

  • 1 can of tuna
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon dill
  • Flatbread or toasted sourdough slices
  • 3 tablespoons pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • Avocado, sliced
  • Tomato, sliced
  • Capers, pickles, mustard, hot sauce (optional)

Tools You’ll Need

  • Food processor: This Ninja food processor will make it easy to whip up both pesto sauce and tuna mousse.

Directions

Step 1: Make the tuna mousse

Add tuna, mayonnaise, salt and dill to a food processor and whiz until creamy.

Step 2: Prep your sandwich

Spread about a teaspoon of pesto on each half of the bread.

Step 3: Add the avocado

Arrange the slices of avocado on one slice.

Step 4: Time for the tuna mousse

Spread the tuna mousse on the other slice.

Step 5: Add tomato

Top the tuna mousse with tomato slices.

Step 6: Finish adding additional toppings

Add toppings such as capers, pickles, mustard, hot sauce or whatever you like!

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Reader's Digest
Originally Published on Reader's Digest