Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (2024)

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Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (1)

The Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich recipe is all the rage right now, and that’s why I’d like to introduce my version of the tunacado sandwich – the Tonnato-cado. Tonnato is an Italian sauce that is not commonly used (but really, it should be!), and it contains everything I love – anchovies, lemon juice, capers, and either egg yolks (if you’re really going for it) or mayo. I’ve of course taken some liberties in combining the humble tuna salad and the equally amazing tonnato, but in this sandwich I felt like the name “Tonnatocado” sounds right.

This sandwich is a recreation of Joe & the Juice’s tunacado, but it also can hold its own as a stand-out sandwich. Make it for your lunches throughout the week, or just as your perfect staple recipe to use when the tunacado craving strikes.

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (2)

Table of contents

  • What is tonnato?
  • Ingredients for this tonnato-cado recipe
  • Why aren’t we using pesto in this tunacado sandwich recipe?
  • How to make the basil vinaigrette for this recipe
  • How to make the tuna “tonnato” portion of this tunacado
  • How to assemble this tunacado sandwich recipe
  • FAQ
  • Looking for similar recipes?
  • What is the bread for this recipe?
Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (3)

What is tonnato?

Tonnato is an Italian condiment often made with tuna, anchovies, lemon juice, olive oil, and either egg yolks and olive oil (to emulsify) or mayonnaise, if you are looking for a short cut! In a traditional tonnato recipe, the ratio of mayo and lemon juice is high, creating a really smooth, rich sauce.

In this tunacado sandwich recipe, I wanted all the brininess of tonnato, but in a thicker consistency that could be spread on bread, tuna-salad-style. But I also wanted a lighter base than mayo, so I opted to throw some cashew cream in there. Which personally, I think tastes even better. There are a few liberties taken with this tonnato spread, but the results are beyond worth it.

Ingredients for this tonnato-cado recipe

Everything you need for this recipe is below, it looks like a lot, but really everything comes together in minutes!

  • 1/2servingwhole wheat focaccia recipe, cut into two long pieces
  • 1/4cupraw cashews
  • 1/2cuppacked fresh basil leaves
  • 3tbspolive oil
  • 3tbspwhite wine vinegar
  • 1/4cupice water
  • 1/2tspDiamond Crystal kosher salt,use half this amount if using Morton’s
  • 15 oz. cantuna packed in oil
  • 6anchovyfillets
  • 2sprigsfresh dill
  • 2clovesgarlic
  • 1/4tspred pepper flakes
  • 1small lemon,for juicing
  • 1/2tspDiamond Crystal kosher salt, use half this amount if using Morton’s
  • 1/2largeavocadosliced thinly
Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (4)

Why aren’t we using pesto in this tunacado sandwich recipe?

This sandwich is light, but there still is a lot going on. I opted to replace cheese-based pesto with a pesto vinaigrette that is 1) lower on ingredients 2) just as high in flavor and 3) very similar in consistency to the Joe & the Juice tunacado sandwich.

I’m no expert on Joe & the Juice’s secrets, but it felt like in this tunacado, a basil vinaigrette was the way to go!

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (5)

How to make the basil vinaigrette for this recipe

I already talked about how simple and easy the basil vinaigrette is, so here’s where I prove it.

To make this vinaigrette there’s no blanching, no mortar-and-pestle, no chopping. Just combine the basil, vinegar, olive oil and salt in a blender and add in 1/4 cup of ice water. Make sure the ice water is ice cold.

Blend to emulsify, and you have a beautiful basil for the tunacado sandwich recipe!

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (6)

How to make the tuna “tonnato” portion of this tunacado

This one is also simple, you just need a food processor to create the “whipped” texture of their tuna cream.

First make sure you’ve soaked some cashews in boiling water. Drain them and add to a blender with a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup of cool water and blend into a cashew cream.

Then just add the tuna (drain any excess oil from the can), the anchovies, the dill, garlic, red pepper flakes and 1/2 tsp of salt. Squeeze in the juice from the lemon. Pour in the cashew cream and pulse until the tuna is smooth and almost “whipped.”

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (7)

How to assemble this tunacado sandwich recipe

Now that all the parts of the recipe are prepped, here is how to bring it all together!

  • Set the oven to broil on high. Put the bread slices cut side up on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes or until crisp on the interior.
  • Slather both sides of the bread with the basil oil, then add sliced avocados on one side, and half of the tuna mixture on the other. Optional (and if they are in season!) add 2 slices of tomatoes to the avocado.
  • To get extra crispness, put a skillet on medium heat and “grill” the sandwich for 3 minutes on each side. This is optional, but so so good.
  • Serve warm!
Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (8)

FAQ

Can I make this tunacado sandwich for meal prep?

Absolutely! This sandwich is great to make, store separately and assemble throughout the week.

How should I store this tunacado sandwich?

I recommend keeping the basil vinaigrette in a small jar on container in the fridge. Do the same with the tuna “salad.” Keep your avocados either ripe and on the counter or ripe and in the fridge. And you can store the bread in the pantry or the fridge, just make sure not to slice it until you need it! All of these will keep very well in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze this tuna salad?

Just for your defrosting sanity, don’t try to freeze the tunacado

Looking for similar recipes?

Here are a few from the site, that I LOVE, and will give you equal tuna-cado satisfaction!

Baked Salmon Salad with Avocado

My current go-to bagel order is baked salmon salad on an everything bagel – but sometimes, just sometimes, I want to make a slightly healthier, dairy-free and egg-free version at home. This is my version of baked salmon salad with avocado, and let me tell you it SLAPS. Like, just like the real thing.

Check out this recipe

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (9)

Sandwich Boy Hot Sauce

Deep down, we all are sandwich boys. AKA the boys who need huge sandwiches with even better sauces. And this, is that sauce. It's a roasted red pepper habanero hot sauce that will have you feeling the heat, but not too much of it.

Check out this recipe

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (10)

Avocado & Skhug Breakfast Sandwich

Skhug is one of my favorite condiments, and it takes the idea of "green eggs and ham" to a whole new level. This healthy vegetarian breakfast sandwich is bright green and filled with flavor. Perfect for any brunch craving.

Check out this recipe

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (11)

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (12)

What is the bread for this recipe?

The most important part of the tunacado is the crispy bread. I like to use my Whole Wheat Foccacia recipe for this, which you can find linked here:

Whole Wheat Focaccia

This recipe is done in less than 2.5 hours, is so rich in flavor and will quickly become your go-to focaccia recipe. It's fool-proof!

Check out this recipe

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (13)

And that’s it for this Joe & the Juice tunacado sandwich remake!

If you make it, please tag me onPinterestorInstagramso I can see! It’s my favorite thing to scroll through stories and see what you all are making.

And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you.

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (14)

Tonnato-cado Sandwich – Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe

5 from 1 vote

If you have seen the viral Tunacado sandwich, consider this my take. Slightly elevating tuna salad to a cashew-cream based tonnato, this sandwich is salty and filling with the perfect crispy bread to accompany it. It's filling, wholesome, and just so so good.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:12 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sandwich, tonnato, tuna, tuna salad

Servings: 2 servings

Equipment

  • 1 food processor

  • 1 small blender

  • 1 Baking sheet

  • 1 Skillet

Ingredients

  • 1/2 serving whole wheat focaccia, recipe linked here
  • 1/4 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup ice water
  • 1/2 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt use half this amount if using Morton's
  • 1 5 oz. can tuna packed in oil
  • 6 anchovy fillets
  • 2 sprigs fresh dill
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 small lemon for juicing
  • 1/2 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt use half this amount if using Morton's
  • 1/2 large avocado sliced thinly

Optional ingredients

  • 4 tomato slices see notes

Instructions

  • First, soak the cashews in boiling hot water. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the recipe.

  • Cut the pieces of focaccia in half through the center, creating a "top" and "bottom" for your sandwich. Set aside.

  • In a small blender, add the basil, vinegar, olive oil, 1/2 tsp of salt and ice water. Blend until smooth and store in the fridge until ready to use.

  • Rinse out the same small blender. Drain the cashews and add them in. Add another 1/4 cup of cool water and a pinch of salt and blend until smooth. This is your cashew cream.

  • In a food processor, add the tuna (drain any excess oil from the can), the anchovies, the dill, garlic, red pepper flakes and 1/2 tsp of salt. Squeeze in the juice from the lemon. Pour in the cashew cream and pulse until the tuna is smooth and almost "whipped."

  • Set the oven to broil on high. Put the bread slices cut side up on a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes or until crisp on the interior.

  • Slather both sides of the bread with the basil oil, then add sliced avocados on one side, and half of the tuna mixture on the other. Optional (and if they are in season!) add 2 slices of tomatoes to the avocado.

  • To get extra crispness, put a skillet on medium heat and "grill" the sandwich for 3 minutes on each side. This is optional, but so so good.

  • Serve warm!

Notes

**Notes on the tomato – I made this recipe in the dead of winter when no tomatoes looked amazing to me. This, of course, might not be true to your location. Since this recipe is originally made with two tomato slices, I encourage you to add some if you’d like to!

Joe & the Juice Tunacado Sandwich Recipe - Tonnato-cado (2024)

FAQs

What is the famous Joe and the juice sandwich? ›

The tunacado and spicy tuna sandwich from Joe & the Juice has taken the internet by a storm so we're going to learn how to make it at home and even better. The bread is so crispy, the tuna is creamy and packed with flavor, and the combination of pesto and avocado is just so refreshing! What is this?

Is the tunacado from joe and the juice healthy? ›

It is made with high protein tuna and colorful vegetables which makes it a filling and nutritious meal. You also get healthy fats from the avocado and some complex carbohydrates if you use use a whole grain bread.

What kind of bread do Joe and the Juice use? ›

All of their sandwiches come on whole wheat bread and are toasted “Panini-style”.

How many calories in a Joe and Juice tuna sandwich? ›

Nutritional Summary:

There are 415 calories in 1 serving of Joe & The Juice Spicy Tuna Sandwich. Calorie Breakdown: 40% fat, 45% carbs, 14% prot.

How many calories are in a tuna cado? ›

460 cal

How to get a free sandwich Joe and the juice? ›

Receive a complimentary sandwich after your first app order. PRE ORDER PERKS! Ability to pre-order in all stores at all times. A warm welcome!

Which Joe and the juice sandwich has the most protein? ›

and the Joe's Identity Juice. The Turkey Sandwich has 420cal and 26g of protein, and Joe's Identity has 85cal with 4g of protein.

What is the healthiest sandwich to eat? ›

Good sandwich choices include sliced deli or rotisserie chicken, turkey, ham, lean roast beef, canned salmon or tuna, nut butter, grilled tempeh or tofu, smashed cooked beans, and reduced-fat cheese. Unsure about serving size?

What is the Joe and Juice Eggcado sandwich? ›

A fresh, natural addition to our sandwich lineup

Responding to this demand, the Eggcado Breakfast Sandwich was born—a combination of fresh cage-free egg, avocado, tomato, spinach, and JOE's signature Spicy Sauce.

Are Joe and Juice sandwiches toasted? ›

Get them crispy—Part of the appeal of this sandwich is the contrast of its toasty, crispy bread and creamy tuna filling. Take your time toasting the bread and make sure it's nice and browned.

Why do Joe and the Juice use olive oil? ›

Our juices contain olive oil, since this oil makes it possible to absorb the nutrients better. Additionally here you can come in several times a the day and pick up your health-based juices. Besides Juice, we offer freshly brewed coffee, crispy sandwiches and other trimmings.

What is the famous Joe and the Juice drink? ›

Juices
  • Go Away DOC. Apple, Ginger, Carrot, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • Prince of Green. Cucumber, Pineapple, Lemon, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • Green Tonic. Cucumber, Celery, Kale, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • Energizer. Apple, Red Grapefruit, Ginger, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • Sports Juice. Apple, Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • JOEs AMG. ...
  • Iron Man. ...
  • Pick Me Up.

Is Joe and the Juice spicy tuna healthy? ›

The spicy tuna sandwich will run you back 315 calories if you order it as-is, per Joe & the Juice. That's great for those looking to cut calories while still getting in their protein. The sandwich packs a whopping 13 grams of protein, 11 grams of fat, and 43 grams of carbohydrates.

Do Joe and the Juice have sugar? ›

There is added sugar! - Joe & the Juice, London Traveller Reviews - Tripadvisor.

How many calories in a 6 inch tuna sandwich? ›

A six-inch tuna sub has 530 calories, 31 grams of fat and 7 grams of saturated fat thanks to all the mayonnaise. A footlong ham sub has almost 600 calories and more than a day's worth of sodium. Extras like soups and cookies will add hundreds of calories to your meal, so stick to the sandwiches.

How much does the Tunacado cost? ›

The Tunacado will cost you around $11, depending on where you live, so before you shell out a tenner and then some, do your research. Overall, Elite Daily editors gave it an average rating of 3.65 out of 5, and here's what we thought about the viral sammie.

How much protein is in a Joe and the Juice Tunacado? ›

Joe & The Juice
Nutrition Facts
How much sugar is in Tunacado Sandwich? Amount of sugar in Tunacado Sandwich: Sugar 3g-
How much fiber is in Tunacado Sandwich? Amount of fiber in Tunacado Sandwich: Fiber 6g24%
How much protein is in Tunacado Sandwich? Amount of protein in Tunacado Sandwich: Protein 17g
Vitamins and minerals
11 more rows

Is canned tuna high in calories? ›

Tuna is a lean meat. It's relatively high in protein, but low in calories, which means that it keeps you full longer and stops you from eating more. In one study, adolescents who regularly ate lean fish like tuna for several weeks lost an average of two pounds more weight than the control group that didn't eat fish.

What is the famous Joe and the juice drink? ›

Juices
  • Go Away DOC. Apple, Ginger, Carrot, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • Prince of Green. Cucumber, Pineapple, Lemon, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • Green Tonic. Cucumber, Celery, Kale, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • Energizer. Apple, Red Grapefruit, Ginger, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • Sports Juice. Apple, Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Ice, Olive Oil. ...
  • JOEs AMG. ...
  • Iron Man. ...
  • Pick Me Up.

What is Joe and the juice known for? ›

Fresh juices, healthy shakes and delicious sandwiches.

Who is the sandwiches of history guy? ›

Barry W. Enderwick (@sandwichesofhistory) • Instagram photos and videos.

References

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