Tuna Bagel with Bean Mash

Name: Tuna Bagel with Bean Mash
Prep time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

roubashahin.com.au

This is no ordinary tuna sandwich! Creamy white bean mash, rocket, chilli sauce, and tuna all packed into a toasted bagel. So much flavour!

PREP TIME

15 minutes

COOK TIME

SERVES

About this recipe

This Tuna Bagel with White Bean Mash is what happens when you get creative in the kitchen with a little help from family. It’s not traditional—this isn’t hours spent cooking mains, sides, salads, and dips like we often do. Instead, it’s a team effort turned quick meal: the bean mash is my mother-in-law’s creation, the tuna layer is mine, and the final touch—chilli sauce and fresh greens—comes from my husband. As we like to say in our home, “many hands make light (and tasty) work!”

While I’ve used toasted bagels here, any bread works—burger buns, wraps, even pita pockets. It’s all about building layers of flavour with whatever you have on hand.

If you’ve tried my DIY beef burger with Scotch fillet or my Middle Eastern kafta burger, you’ll love this one too. It’s a lighter option but still full of flavour and texture. The creamy white bean mash is the secret here—it turns a simple tuna sandwich into something really special. And if veggie burgers are more your style, don’t miss my favourite: the halloumi and eggplant burger—a must-try!

Whether you’re after a quick lunch or an easy weeknight dinner, this Tuna Bagel with Bean Mash is ready in minutes and packed with protein, fibre, and healthy fats. Plus, you can customise it with avocado or cucumber for even more crunch and goodness.

Ingredients

For the White Bean Mash:

1 can white beans (400 grams) drained and rinsed
1 small garlic clove, crushed
Juice of ½ lemon
1–2 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Tuna Burger:

2 can good quality tuna in olive oil or brine, drained
Handful of rocket leaves
Chili sauce, to taste
4 bagels, halved and toasted
Sliced avocado (optional)
Sliced cucumber (optional)

Notes from Rouba

Use good quality tuna
Mash the beans roughly for texture or blend for a smoother spread
A little lemon zest lifts the mash even more
Toasting the bagel adds crunch and warmth—don’t skip it
Swap rocket with baby spinach if needed
Leftover mash is great with crackers or veggie sticks

Method

Step 1. Make the White Bean Mash:

In a bowl, combine the white beans, minced garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Mash everything together until mostly smooth but still a little textured. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2: Assemble the Burger:

Spread a generous layer of the white bean mash on the bottom half of each toasted bagel. Top with tuna, a handful of rocket, a drizzle of hot chili sauce, and any extras like avocado or cucumber.

Place the top half of the bagel on top and serve immediately.