The Best Ina Garten Tuna and Hummus Sandwich Recipe Ever

Elevating the humble tuna sandwich, this gourmet creation blends Mediterranean and classic American flavors into one irresistible bite.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients transform an ordinary lunch staple into a culinary adventure that surprises and delights.

Creamy, tangy elements merge with rich protein, creating a harmonious balance of textures and tastes.

Crunchy vegetables add subtle complexity and freshness to each carefully constructed layer.

The combination feels sophisticated yet approachable, perfect for a quick midday meal or casual gathering.

Simple ingredients come together with unexpected elegance, proving that sandwiches can be both convenient and extraordinary.

Wrapping Up the Tuna Hummus Sandwich Session

Mediterranean classics dance together in Ina Garten’s signature sandwich dish.

Tangy tuna meets creamy hummus, blending Mediterranean flavors with classic American comfort.

Fresh ingredients elevate this simple meal beyond ordinary lunch expectations.

Complex textures and balanced seasonings make each bite memorable and satisfying.

Garten’s recipe transforms basic pantry staples into an elegant culinary experience.

Hungry souls can savor this delightful sandwich, share its delicious story, spread the recipe love, and inspire kitchen creativity among friends and family.

Why Tuna and Hummus Sandwiches Are So Satisfying

• Flavor Explosion: Combines zesty tuna salad with creamy hummus, creating a mouthwatering sandwich that packs a punch of Mediterranean-inspired taste sensations.
• Quick Gourmet Twist: Elevates a simple sandwich into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort, perfect for busy home cooks wanting to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Texture Magic: Delivers a delightful contrast between the smooth, velvety hummus, flaky tuna, and crunchy radish slices, ensuring every bite feels exciting and multi-dimensional.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Allows preparation of both tuna salad and hummus hours in advance, making it an ideal option for meal prep, picnics, or unexpected guests without last-minute stress.

What You’ll Need for Ina’s Tuna and Hummus Combo

• Tuna: High-quality oil-packed tuna with rich flavor and flaky texture, best when sustainably sourced.
• Chickpeas: Protein-packed legume forming the base of creamy hummus with nutty undertones.

• Bread: Sturdy artisan bread that toasts well and provides a solid foundation for the sandwich.
• Hummus: Creamy Middle Eastern spread with smooth consistency and rich flavor profile.

• Celery, Onion: Crisp vegetables adding freshness and subtle crunch to tuna mixture.
• Cornichons: Tiny pickled gherkins providing tangy and sharp accent to the tuna salad.
• Radish: Peppery garnish offering visual appeal and light crisp texture.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy binder that helps hold tuna salad together with rich taste.
• Mustard: Zesty condiment adding depth and slight heat to the tuna mixture.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that balances flavors and adds freshness.
• Tahini: Smooth sesame paste contributing nutty undertones to hummus.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient adding robust flavor to hummus.
• Hot Sauce: Spicy element for optional heat and complexity.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

Making the Perfect Tuna and Hummus Sandwich

Step 1: Prepare Tuna Mixture

Drain tuna, keeping the oil. Gently flake tuna in a mixing bowl using a fork

• Celery
• Onion
• Cornichons

Pour in lemon juice, mayonnaise, reserved oil

Add mustard, salt, and pepper

Mix ingredients thoroughly

Step 2: Develop Flavor Profiles

• Cover tuna mixture
• Refrigerate for 2-3 hours
• Allow ingredients to marinate and blend

Step 3: Create Homemade Hummus

• Chickpeas
• Tahini
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Hot sauce
• Salt

Place all ingredients in food processor

Pulse until coarsely pureed

Adjust consistency with reserved liquid

Taste and season as needed

Step 4: Chill Hummus

• Transfer hummus to container
• Refrigerate for several hours
• Let flavors meld together

Step 5: Toast and Assemble Sandwich

• Select your preferred bread
• Toast bread slices until golden brown
• Spread generous layer of homemade hummus
• Top with prepared tuna mixture
• Garnish with thinly sliced radishes
• Serve immediately and enjoy

Tips for Better Tuna Sandwich Texture

• Boost Tuna Flavor: Save the oil from the tuna can to add richness and depth to your sandwich mixture, creating a more intense taste profile.
• Marinate Sandwich Filling: Chilling the tuna salad allows herbs and seasonings to meld together, intensifying the overall flavor and creating a more cohesive spread.
• Crisp Up Your Bread: Golden-brown toasting transforms ordinary sourdough into a crunchy, textural base that perfectly complements the creamy tuna and hummus.
• Smooth Hummus Hack: Thin out thick hummus with reserved chickpea liquid or a splash of lemon juice for an ultra-spreadable and silky consistency.
• Layer Strategically: Spread hummus on both bread slices to create a moisture barrier, preventing the bread from getting soggy and maintaining the sandwich's structural integrity.

How to Store Tuna and Hummus Without Losing Freshness

• Vacuum Sealing: Protect the tuna and hummus mixture by using a vacuum sealer, which removes air and prevents bacterial growth. Place portions in specialized bags, seal completely, and store in the coldest part of the refrigerator for maximum freshness up to 5 days.
• Mason Jar Layering: Create a strategic sandwich storage system by separating wet and dry ingredients in clear mason jars. Position hummus at bottom, layer tuna salad separately, and add bread on side to prevent sogginess. Keeps ingredients crisp and ready for quick assembly.
• Portion Control Containers: Invest in compartmentalized food storage containers with tight-fitting lids. Segment tuna salad, hummus, and bread components individually to maintain texture and prevent moisture transfer. Ideal for meal prepping and maintaining optimal sandwich quality for 2-3 days.

Creative Spins on This Protein-Packed Sandwich

• Mediterranean Marvel: Replace cornichons with kalamata olives and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired sandwich that brings vibrant Mediterranean flavors to your plate.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Mix in diced jalapeños, cumin, and chopped cilantro into the tuna salad, then top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern experience.
• Protein Power Lunch: Swap bread for lettuce wraps and add quinoa to the tuna mixture, creating a low-carb, high-protein meal packed with nutritional benefits.
• Smoky Salmon Switch: Use canned salmon instead of tuna, incorporate smoked paprika, and mix in chopped dill for a rich, oceanic alternative that elevates the classic sandwich.

Ina Garten Tuna And Hummus Sandwich Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s tuna and hummus sandwich delivers Mediterranean charm with creamy textures and bold flavors. Silky hummus, perfectly seasoned tuna, and crisp vegetables create a delightful lunch experience you’ll savor with each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 14 ounces (397 grams) jarred or canned Italian tuna in olive oil
• 2 cups (470 milliliters) canned chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved (15.5-ounce can)

Flavor Enhancers:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) minced celery
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) minced yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) minced cornichons
• 4 teaspoons (20 milliliters) minced garlic (4 cloves)
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) dijon mustard
• 8 dashes hot sauce, such as tabasco

Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 6 tablespoons (90 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) good mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) tahini or sesame paste
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) freshly ground black pepper
• sourdough bread, halved and sliced ½ inch thick
• hummus, store-bought or homemade (recipe follows)
• fresh radishes, sliced

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Instructions

1. Empty the tuna can, carefully preserving the olive oil. Using a fork, delicately break down the tuna into fine, uniform flakes within a spacious mixing bowl.
2. Incorporate finely diced celery, minced onion, chopped cornichons, freshly squeezed lemon juice, creamy mayonnaise, two tablespoons (30 milliliters) of reserved olive oil, tangy mustard, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Thoroughly blend all ingredients until harmoniously combined.
3. Seal the tuna mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate for two to three hours, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
4. Gently toast bread slices until achieving a golden-brown, crisp texture.
5. Spread a generous layer of homemade hummus across each toasted bread slice.
6. Carefully distribute the chilled tuna salad evenly over the hummus-coated bread.
7. Garnish with thinly sliced radishes for a peppery, decorative touch.
8. Drain the chickpeas, reserving two tablespoons (30 milliliters) of the liquid.
9. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, reserved liquid, tahini, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, hot sauce, and salt. Pulse until achieving a coarse, rustic puree.
10. Assess the hummus consistency, adding additional lemon juice or chickpea liquid if needed to reach desired smoothness.
11. Transfer hummus to a container, refrigerate for several hours to enhance flavor profile, and adjust seasonings before serving.

Notes

• Flavor enhancement comes from using the tuna’s own oil, which adds depth to the overall taste profile.
• Chilling the salad allows ingredients to meld together, creating a more harmonious and balanced flavor.
• Golden-brown toasting transforms sourdough bread into a crispy, textural base that elevates the entire sandwich experience.
• Smoothing out hummus requires a delicate touch, using reserved chickpea liquid or extra lemon juice to achieve the perfect spreadable consistency.
• Experiment with additional herbs like fresh dill or chives to introduce unexpected brightness and complexity to the tuna salad.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Toasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 500 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg