Subway’s Tuna Sandwich Recipe

The tuna salad sandwich is a Subway classic. Below is a delicious Subway tuna recipe for those who just love a good copycat recipe. 

Subway’s Delicious Mayonnaise

There is a lot of info out there on the internet about the mayo that makes Subway’s tuna sandwiches so good. When I was doing research for this post, I came across everything from Subway using whole eggs (traditional mayo typically only has egg yolks) to some information about mint mayo. But that was mostly from Indian bloggers, so the mayo in India might be different at Subway. (After a closer look, it looks like it is.)

When it comes down to it, Maritime Glutton has a good recipe for a copycat version of the mayo. When I say she did the research and the testing, she did. 

Tuna Sandwich Ingredients

Canned Tuna Fish. Buy chunk white tuna packed in water. Don’t reach for the tuna packed in olive oil, mixed with mayo, it would be too greasy.

Sub Roll or Hoagie Roll. Here is not the place to get into whether it’s a sub or a hoagie. You do you, friend! Whatever floats your boat. A different take? Try a ciabatta or even a wrap. 

Mayonnaise. Subway uses regular mayo, but some people are die-hard fans of the light stuff and just like the taste better. You do you and choose whatever you prefer. 

Vinegar. A dash of vinegar adds a slight punch of tanginess and some depth of flavor to a usually typical sandwich.

Onions. Go for red onions. Their milder taste than their white counterparts and their peppery taste will help cut through the fat of the mayo.

Lettuce. Of course, Subway uses iceberg lettuce, but use whatever type of shredded lettuce you prefer. I do prefer iceberg, however, it adds a great crunch. Not feeling the lettuce? Go for cucumber slices instead.

Pepper. Go for jarred pepperoncinis. The pickled zing helps cut through the full-fat mayo.

Tomatoes. Choose plump ripe plum tomatoes. The size is perfect. Not too big, not too small. 

Pickles. Your choice of pickles is where your preference comes in. Whether you put them on your sub or to the side. Try a bread and butter pickle on the actual sandwich or go with a dill pickle on the side. Yum!

Cheese Slices. For cheese, you have options, but if you’re a traditionalist, go with a hearty slice of provolone.

Black Olives. Use sliced black olives, or purchase jumbo black olives and slice them yourself.

Salt and pepper. Use quality kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.

Subway’s Tuna Salad Recipe

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 (5-ounce) cans drained tuna
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons vinegar (or lemon juice)
• 2 sub rolls
• 1 cup  lettuce 
• 2 plum tomatoes, sliced  
• 1/2 small red onion, sliced
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced or diced
• 4 slices Provolone cheese

Instructions

1. Let’s get started by prepping your toppings: lettuce, tomato, olives, onion, peppers and pickles.
2. Next, drain the water from the tuna can. Achieve this by holding the lid against the tuna and inverting the can over the sink to allow the water to escape. Then, drop it in a mixing bowl.
3. Stir in mayonnaise and vinegar (if using) until the mixture is well combined.
4. Taste and add salt and pepper.
5. Take your sub roll and open it up. Spoon the tuna mixture onto the roll.
6. Finish by adding layers of lettuce, tomato slices, pickle slices, and red onion on top of the tuna. 
7. Serve with potato chips and enjoy!

Variations on Subway Tuna Salad Sandwich

A classic tuna salad sandwich is perfect for lunchtime or a last-minute dinner. But the base of this copycat recipe has so many options. 

Make it spicy. Dice up a few jalapenos peppers finely and drop those into your tuna fish salad for an extra kick of heat.

Make it a melt. A tuna melt is a great next-day alternative for leftover tuna salad hanging out in your fridge.

Add some crunch. Instead of relying solely on your vegetable toppings, add some crunch to your actual tuna with some celery or other crunchy veggies. You can also go the sweet and savory route by adding diced apples into the mix.

Swap the mayo. Not a fan of mayo? Use full-fat Greek yogurt with a dash of Dijon mustard instead. You can also swap out part of your mayo for Greek yogurt to up the protein.

Add some eggs. Just looking for an extra protein boost? Roughly chop a few hardboiled eggs and mix them into your tuna salad.

Make tuna pasta salad. Have leftovers from this tuna fish recipe? Mix in pasta of your choice, peas, a pinch of garlic powder, and parsley. Tada!

About Canned Tuna Fish and Mercury

It is a commonly known fact that consuming large amounts of tuna can result in high levels of mercury intake, which poses a significant health risk. Mercury, being a heavy metal, tends to accumulate in bodies of water and in the fish that live in these waters. Tuna, especially the albacore and bigeye species, which are larger and longer-lived, tend to accumulate higher levels of mercury.

And yes, excessive intake of mercury can lead to health issues, particularly affecting the nervous system. Mercury can be especially harmful to pregnant women and young children, as it may affect the development of the child’s brain and nervous system. As a result, health experts and agencies recommend moderation in tuna consumption, advising people to enjoy it as part of a varied diet while being mindful of the type and quantity consumed to minimize potential health risks from mercury exposure.

Side Dishes for Subway’s Tuna Fish Sandwiches

Crispy Air Fryer Waffle Fries

Polenta Air Fryer Fries

Green Bean Fries with Spicy Dipping Sauce

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Keebler Cheesecake

Lawson’s Chip Dip