Spicy Tuna Salad Sandwich

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This Spicy Tuna Salad Sandwich combines all the classic staples of tuna salad but with a sriracha mayo and banana peppers for a spicy and pickly twist.

This Spicy Tuna Salad Sandwich takes everything you love about the classic and turns it up a notch. The tuna is mixed with a creamy blend of Greek yogurt and sriracha mayo for a tangy, fiery kick that still feels light and fresh. Briny banana peppers bring a sharp, pickly crunch that balances the richness while giving the filling an unexpected pop of flavor. It’s comfort food with a bold twist, the kind of sandwich that satisfies but keeps you coming back for another bite.

Served on toasted brioche, the buttery bread adds a soft, golden base that pairs perfectly with the spicy tuna mix. A layer of peppery arugula adds freshness and a bit of bite, rounding out the sandwich with a vibrant green crunch. Whether you’re looking for an upgraded lunch or a quick dinner, this sandwich is the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, tangy, and fresh.

If you tuna as much as I do, you’ll love my Spicy Tuna Burger, Tuna Bánh Mì and my Jalapeño Cheddar Tuna Salad Sandwiches.

Abs Tip: Add grated cheese like mozzarella or cheddar to this and add to a skillet to turn this sandwich into a delicious melt.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Quick and easy. This sandwich is not only quick and easy, but packs so much flavor in every bite. With only a few ingredients, you can have a super tasty lunch in minutes.
Cost effective. I like to keep canned tuna in my pantry all the time to put together quick lunches like these.
Easy to customize: You can get creative with serving this on a wrap, bread or simply with crackers. You can also replace the mayo with all greek yogurt for a higher protein healthier version, or go all mayo. This sandwich really is so easy to make your own.

Ingredients

Tuna fish: Tuna fish is a pantry staple we like to always keep on hand. Our goto is Fishwife which has a bit of a higher price point, but the quality is unmatched and it’s ethically sourced. You can of course use a more affordable brand and it would be just as good. Plus, Fishwife has a spicy tuna option which brings added heat if that’s your thing!
Bread: We like to eat this on a toasted brioche loaf because we find the light fluffy texture of the bread compliments the tuna salad perfectly.
Arugula: Arugula brings a bit of a bite to the sandwich compared to other lettuce options. We would suggest arugula, iceberg or romaine to add a bit of crunch.
Sriracha: Adding a little sriracha to the mayo gives this sandwich a little spicy kick that takes it up a notch.
Mayo: We like to use Dukes mayo, or Kewpie (Japanese mayo).
Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt adds a creaminess to the salad as well as more protein.
Scallions: Scallions are another great way to add a crunch and a kick.
Banana peppers: A great way to give this sandwich a pickly, zesty element.
Celery: A nod back to classic tuna salad, celery brings the crunch.

How to make a Spicy Tuna Salad Sandwich

1. Finely chop banana peppers, celery and scallions and add them to a bowl with the tuna, sriracha, greek yogurt and mayo. Season with salt and pepper.

tuna salad in a bowl for Spicy tuna salad sandwich

2. Mix until creamy and combined. Season to taste and add more sriracha if you want more of a kick.

mixed tuna in a bowl for Spicy tuna salad sandwich

3. Toast brioche bread either in a toaster or in a skillet. If cooking in a skillet, melt but with a tablespoon of butter and add brioche. Cook for about 2-3 min per side or until nice and golden brown.

bread in a skillet for Spicy tuna salad sandwich

4. Add spicy tuna salad to the warm toasted bread.

bread and tuna salad for Spicy tuna salad sandwich

5. Add arugula and close sandwich. Slice and enjoy!

Expert Tips

Adjust the seasonings. If you want the salad more creamy, add more Greek yogurt or mayo. If you prefer more heat, add more sriracha, and if you prefer more of a pickled taste, add more banana peppers when layering your sandwich.
Add banana pepper juice to the tuna salad. If you love a pickled element to a sandwich, add a tablespoon or two of banana pepper juice to the salad for added flavor.
Use spicy canned tuna. If spice is your thing, check out Fishwife Spicy Tuna in a can for an added kick. It’s one of our favorites!
Turn it into a melt. Add grated cheese like mozzarella or cheddar to this and add to a skillet to turn this sandwich into a delicious melt.
Prep the tuna salad ahead. You can make the tuna salad ahead and store in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, simply toast bread and scoop premade salad on bread. Easy!

Storage & Make Ahead

Make tuna salad ahead and store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to eat, simply toast bread and scoop premade salad on bread.

FAQs

What is the difference between albacore and chunk lite tuna?

Albacore is a type of tuna, chunk lite is a variety of smaller tuna fish. Albacore tuna is regarded as the most premium species of tuna so I usually opt for that.

What makes a good spicy tuna salad sandwich?

A good spicy tuna salad sandwich comes down to balance. The tuna should be creamy but not heavy, which is why combining Greek yogurt with sriracha mayo works so well—it keeps things light while still packing in bold flavor. Heat is important, but it shouldn’t overwhelm, so you want just enough spice to make each bite exciting without burning out your taste buds. A little acidity or tang, like banana peppers or pickles, brightens up the richness and keeps the sandwich from feeling flat.

Can I add Greek yogurt to Tuna Salad?

Yes! I like to add Greek yogurt for added creaminess and protein. Plus it’s a little healthier!

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