This casual cafe’s hugely popular Tunacado bread features delicious whipped tuna mousse, rich pesto sauce and of course, perfectly ripe avocado, rich and rich. And if you don’t have a location for this eatery near you, know that making a DIY version at home sounds simple with the help of the right ingredients — and we’re sharing them all. detail. Plus, a registered dietitian explains all the reasons why this ultra-comfort food is a healthy, nutrient-dense meal to start with on a regular basis.
What exactly is a Tunacado sandwich?
If you’ve eaten at Joe & The Juice before, you’ve probably seen “Tunacado” on the menu, and yes, it’s as good as its name suggests. It’s made with the company’s signature thin-sliced Joe’s Bread, toasted with a blend of Nordic’s usual wheat and grain, rye (they also add sunflower and flax seeds), which gives it the flavor. delicious taste and rich in nutrients. But like most things in life, it’s what’s on the inside really count. The Tunacado sandwich is stuffed with the perfect balance of tuna mousse, avocado, tomato, pesto sauce, salt and pepper—no wonder thousands of people are imitating this incredibly simple sandwich to make. at home.
But related story
And if you’re looking for a (ha) step-by-step on how to make it, a recent TikTok video by @dzaslavsky takes us behind the scenes of a Joe & The Juice location on Prince Street in New York City to See what the hype is all about. As with most breads, what matters is the ingredients and how you put them together. For starters, the super thin bread is baked to perfection in a panini press with beautiful slashes (45 seconds on each side to be exact). Then the bread is carefully sliced and spread with a generous amount of pesto sauce and layered with thinly sliced butter and a few tablespoons of tuna mousse. The end result is a crisp, crunchy sandwich with a refreshing tuna salad filling and creamy butter that melts in your mouth. (Okay, officially hungry now.)
@dzaslavsky Tunacado production at the Prince Street location in NYC #joeandthejuice #tunacado original sound – danielle
Health Benefits of Tunacado, According to One RD
According to Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, CPT, a registered dietitian based in Charleston, Tunacado bread is a “nutrient powerhouse”. This simple lunch dish is packed with healthy fats, protein, and many important micronutrients, she says. “In general, I am a fan of this bread. A side dish with a vegetable salad or low-sodium vegetable soup, says Manaker, can provide a balanced and satisfying meal packed with good-for-you nutrients.
To make things really clear, Manaker breaks down every anatomical component of a tuna and shares why it’s a great choice: “Tuna is one of the best sources of omega fatty acids. The best -3 DHA, which supports our heart and brain health. Meanwhile, avocados are a popular fruit that is a natural source of filling fiber and healthy fats, along with nutrients many of us don’t get enough of, such as magnesium, ” she said. “The addition of pesto adds even more healthy fats and flavor, and the tomatoes give this sandwich an antioxidant boost. Then, the use of whole-grain fiber gives this bread more fiber and antioxidants.
Tips for making a healthier version of Tunacado at home
“People can make this bread at home and they can even make it better for you with some simple tweaks. Using whole grain bread or sourdough instead of a combination of white and wheat bread may be a better choice for some people. And using some Greek yogurt in place of some mayo can give this bread some good bacteria,” says Manaker. In addition, choosing the right canned fish (main trend alert) is also important. “Although tuna is a good source of healthy fats, protein and many micronutrients, certain types of tuna may contain higher levels of mercury than others. Choosing skipjack might be a better option for someone trying to keep their methylmercury intake as low as possible,” she says.
So how do you actually make a Tunacado bread?
Making this super simple sandwich at home couldn’t be easier thanks to the guidance of thousands of TikTokers who have painstakingly recreated the recipe. In a recent TikTok video with over 800,000 views, Emily English from @emthenutrionist offers a few genius tips to make Tunacados taste like (and maybe better?) the original with a little extra spice. fig. She starts by taking whole-wheat pita bread and cutting it into rectangles, which mimic the look, feel, and taste of Joe’s super-thin, super-crunchy toast.
@emthenutritionist Stay home joe & spicy tuna juice #joeandthejuice #menuhack #hotgirlsummer #viral original audio – Emily English
She then spreads the bread with pesto sauce and tops it with a few slices of tomato and avocado before adding the tuna. However, in her performance of the tuna mousse, which is a bit different from the original version (and we’re not too mad about it), she adds a bit of hot sauce, kefir yogurt, new pepper. smashed, some chopped chili. pickled jalapeños, and a bit of brine from the jar for extra flavor and spice.
Ready to try it at home? It will not disappoint.
One RD shared the unexpected benefits of avocados:
