• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
BeeyondCereal
  • Recipes
  • Summer Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Summer Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
    • Resources
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    BeeyondCereal » Recipes » Sandwich Recipes

    Spicy Tuna Sandwich

    Modified: Oct 17, 2023 Published: Apr 23, 2023 by Nicole Durham This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Make a twist to the usual lunch routines and add spicy tuna sandwiches to the menu. This tuna salad brings a kick of heat, creaminess, and so much flavor to every bite. This is one lunch you won't want to miss.

    Recipe: $3.23 | Per Serving: $0.81 | Servings: 4

    a sandwich on a plate with a half sandwich on top.

    We really like our sandwich recipes around here, and spicy tuna sandwiches are just one of our latest frugal adventures. Made with canned tuna and some sriracha in the mix, this tuna salad isn't like momma made it.

    We normally save our cans of tuna for a cheap dinner protein in dishes like Cheesy Tuna Noodle Casserole, but when we want something different for lunch to break up the days of eating leftovers and Frozen Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, we opt for some spicy savory tuna.

    Take it up a notch and turn it into an Air Fryer Tuna Melt or simply enjoy it cold (perfect for lunch boxes and warm weather). It's great either way!

    For more fabulous sandwich ideas, make sure to check out our Party Sub Recipe, Rainbow Grilled Cheese, and Air Fryer Club Sandwich.

    Jump to:
    • 🍯 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🧾 Substitutions
    • 🔪 Instructions for Spicy Tuna Sandwich
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • ⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️ More Delicious Sandwich Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍯 Why This Recipe Works

    1. It's cheap to make. Canned tuna is one of the cheapest sandwich filling options available. This spicy tuna sandwich recipe costs less than $5 to make and makes enough to share with the family. Canned tuna is something we've learned to Stockpile On a Budget because it's cheap, versatile, and shelf stable for long periods of time. Which means we usually have it on hand.
    2. It's easy to make. Open a can, drain some tuna, and mix everything together in a bowl. This recipe comes together so fast and takes hardly any effort too.
    3. It's customizable. We like the flavor of spice without the actual kick, but if you want a stronger kick of heat in every bite, feel free to add in more hot sauce or even some jalapenos!

    🥘 Ingredients

    labeled ingredients needed to make spicy tuna sandwich.

    Tuna- You'll need some 5-ounce sized cans of tuna in water, not oil. Pay attention to the labels. If you still have cans of tuna to use up, consider making some Mac and Cheese Tuna Casserole, Crispy Fried Tuna Patties, or Tuna Cabbage Salad.

    Sriracha- Add in some sriracha or chili sauce for a nice kick of spice. (We also use sriracha in our Spicy Deviled Eggs!)

    Sweet relish- This will give us a little contrast in flavors. It pairs really nicely with everything else that we have going on.

    Yellow mustard- To help add more color and flavor and cut down on the mayo taste just a tad, you'll want to enlist the help of some yellow mustard.

    Sandwich bread- Use your favorite sandwich bread or whatever is cheapest. Homemade White Bread also works fine!

    For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.

    🧾 Substitutions

    Bread. My kids are big fans of the cheap sliced sandwich bread but feel free to use any bread you want. Thicker bread slices (like homemade sourdough bread) may require a little longer cooking time (about 1-2 minutes).

    🔪 Instructions for Spicy Tuna Sandwich

    Step 1: Start by draining the canned tuna and breaking it up with a fork. This will help to remove a lot of the chunks and make it easier to incorporate into the filling.

    a bowl filled with tuna mayo mustard sriracha and relish.

    Step 2: Add the drained tuna, mayo, sriracha, relish, and mustard to a bowl.

    spicy tuna sanwich filling in a bowl.

    Step 3: Stir together with a fork until well mixed. Add in salt and pepper to taste.

    tuna salad on a slice of bread on a plate.

    Step 4: Spread about ½ cup of filling onto a single slice of sandwich bread.

    a spicy tuna sandiwch on a plate.

    Step 5: Top with another slice of bread.

    Step 6: Repeat with the remaining sandwich filling and bread.

    Serve and enjoy!

    One and a half tuna sandwiches on plate, with fresh red and green fruits alongside.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    1. Big portions or several smaller ones. These sandwiches are very full once filled. The filling can easily be divided into smaller portions to make additional sandwiches.
    2. Recipe can be doubled. If desired, you can double this recipe (you may need a larger bowl).
    3. How to reduce carbs. You can swap out the bread for lettuce leaves if you want a tasty tuna wrap with fewer carbs.

    ⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions

    You can prepare the tuna filling up to 3 days in advance and keep it stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Assemble and cook when ready.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    Can I make a tuna salad with tuna in oil?

    If you have a can of tuna on hand that was packed in oil and not water, you can use it to make tuna sandwiches. Just note that you may wish to decrease the mayo in the filling because of the added fats.

    Are you supposed to drain canned tuna?

    Yes, draining tuna is important for removing a lot of moisture and sodium that we don't want to ingest. By removing the excess liquid, we don't have to worry about soggy sandwiches.

    How long can a tuna sandwich sit out?

    For food safety reasons, you should not allow your sandwich to sit out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. I personally don't recommend letting it sit out for more than a few minutes. If you don't plan on eating it right away, place it into a baggie or cover it and place it in the fridge.

    What sauces go well with a tuna sandwich?


    For a spicy kick, try hot sauce or sriracha. Add pickles or pickle juice for acidity, mustard for boldness, and olive oil with balsamic vinegar for a Mediterranean twist. Ultimately, choose the sauce you enjoy most for your tuna and mayo sandwich.

    Half spicy tuna sandwich stacked on another, with grapes and strawberries beside, all on plate.

    ❤️ More Delicious Sandwich Recipes

    • grilled cheese sandwiches on a baking sheet.
      Baked Grilled Cheese
    • two halves of microwave grilled cheese sandwich with gooey melty cheese.
      Microwave Grilled Cheese
    • a grilled fluffernutter sandwich.
      Grilled Fluffernutter Sandwich
    • stacked sliced Egg Salad sandwich on a plate.
      Southern Egg Salad Recipe

    If you tried this spicy tuna sandwich, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!

    📖 Recipe

    a spicy tuna sandwich and half a sandwich on top of it.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Spicy Tuna Sandwich

    Make a twist to the usual lunch routines and add spicy tuna sandwiches to the menu. This tuna salad brings a kick of heat, creaminess, and so much flavor to every bite. This is one lunch you won't want to miss.
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 412kcal
    Cost Recipe $3.23 / Serving $0.81
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Small Bowl
    • Can opener
    • Fork
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 2 cans (5oz) tuna in water, drained ($1.92)
    • ½ cup mayo ($0.45)
    • 2 Tablespoons sriracha or chili sauce ($0.24)
    • 1 Tablespoon sweet relish ($0.08)
    • 2 Tablespoon yellow mustard ($0.06)
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 8 slices sandwich bread ($0.48)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Start by draining the canned tuna and breaking it up with a fork. This will help to remove a lot of the chunks and make it easier to incorporate into the filling.
    • Add the drained tuna, mayo, sriracha, relish, and mustard to a bowl.
    • Stir together with a fork until well mixed. Add in salt and pepper to taste.
    • Spread about ½ cup of filling onto a single slice of sandwich bread.
    • Top with another slice of bread.
    • Repeat with the remaining sandwich filling and bread.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    These sandwiches are generously filled, and you can portion the filling to make additional sandwiches if needed.
    For larger servings, you can easily double this recipe (just ensure you have a larger bowl).
    If you prefer a low-carb option, substitute the bread with lettuce leaves to create a delicious tuna wrap.
    Make Ahead Instructions:
    Prepare the tuna filling in advance, up to 3 days ahead, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Assemble and cook when you're ready to enjoy.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 1033mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 129IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 3mg

    Video

    Author Nicole Durham
    Course lunch
    Cuisine American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used. To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

    More Cheap and Easy Sandwich Recipes

    • sliced dill pickle egg salad sandwiches on a plate.
      Dill Pickle Egg Salad
    • two burger buns filled with cabbage tuna salad.
      Tuna Cabbage Salad
    • peanut butter jelly sandwiches on a plate with green grapes in the background.
      Frozen Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
    • cooked grilled cheeese sandwiches on a plate with a bowl of tomato soup in the background.
      Freezer Grilled Cheese

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Nicole from Beeyond Cereal

    Hey, I'm Nicole

    The proud owner and recipe developer behind BeeyondCereal. Here, I'm passionate about showing people how to navigate the kitchen with frugality in mind, whipping up family-friendly recipes that not only save money but also bring joy to every meal.

    Learn More→

    Summer Recipes

    • two loaves of snickerdoodle zucchini bread on a cutting board with two fresh zucchini.
      Snickerdoodle Zucchini Bread
    • strawberry blueberry shortcake with fresh fruit and homemade whipped cream.
      Strawberry Blueberry Shortcake
    • a white bowl filled with orange fluff sald and topped with marshmallows and orange slices.
      Orange Creamsicle Fluff
    • angled view into a glass of ice cold lemonade with sliced lemons on a wooden cutting board and fresh lemons to the side.
      Single Serving Lemonade

    Trending NOW

    • a white bowl filled with cooked canned green beans.
      The Best Canned Green Bean Recipe
    • a bowl of creamy 5 ingredient mac and cheese.
      5 Ingredient Mac and Cheese
    • roasted chicken, carrots and potatoes in a baking dish with a sprig of rosemary on top.
      Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots
    • sliced banana bread on a wooden surface.
      Eggless Banana Bread
    • a sliced beef roast on a cutting board with carving utensils.
      Poor Mans Prime Rib
    • cinnamon rolls with icing on top in an 8x8 baking dish.
      Small Batch Cinnamon Rolls

    As Seen In

    as seen in various articles and websites.

    Footer

    ↑ Back to Top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Public Sharing Policy
    • Pricing Disclosure
    • Accessibility Statement

    Follow

    • Subscribe for FREE eBook
    • Follow on Facebook
    • Follow on Instagram
    • Follow on Pinterest

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Beeyond Cereal --Theme by Feast Design Co.

    promotional graphic for Spicy Tuna Sandwich

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.