Upgrade your typical tuna salad sandwich with toasted bread and melty cheese.
Makes2 sandwiches Prep15 minutesCook6 minutes to 8 minutesWe independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
While some prefer a simple tuna salad sandwich, others like to go all out with a tuna melt, which is basically an amped-up version with toasted bread and melty cheese. Just like most sandwiches, a tuna melt is completely customizable. You can use your favorite sandwich bread or swap in a different cheese. And if you’re not a fan of tomatoes (or don’t have one on hand), it’ll be equally delicious without one.
Key Ingredients in a Tuna Melt
A tuna melt is essentially a tuna salad sandwich that includes cheese. It’s cooked in a pan until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
How to Prevent a Tuna Melt from Going Soggy
The key to preventing a soggy tuna melt is to drain your canned tuna really well. To do this, empty the tuna into a fine-mesh strainer then press down on it to release any liquid.
What to Serve with a Classic Tuna Melt
Anything that is typically served with a sandwich, you can pair with a tuna melt. You can’t go wrong with any of these classic pairings.
Comments
Upgrade your typical tuna salad sandwich with toasted bread and melty cheese.
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 6 minutes to 8 minutes
Makes 2 sandwiches
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the tuna salad:
- 1/2
small shallot
- 1
medium stalk celery or scallion
- 1
dill pickle spear
- 1
(5-ounce) can oil- or water-packed tuna fish
- 1/4 cup
mayonnaise
- 1/8 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8
lemon wedge
For the sandwiches:
- 2 tablespoons
unsalted butter or mayonnaise
- 1
large tomato, such as beefsteak or heirloom
- 4
sandwich bread slices, such as sourdough or rye
- 4
slices sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
If using butter, let 2 tablespoons unsalted butter sit at room temperature to soften. Meanwhile, make the tuna salad.
Make the tuna salad:
Prepare the following, adding each to the same medium bowl as you complete it: Finely chop 1/2 small shallot (about 1 tablespoon). Finely chop 1 medium celery stalk or scallion. Finely chop 1 dill pickle spear (2 heaping tablespoons). Drain 1 (5-ounce) can oil- or water-packed tuna fish well.
Add 1/4 mayonnaise and use a fork to break the tuna down into flakes and mix everything together. Add 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and the juice from 1 lemon wedge. Mix with the fork until combined.
Make the sandwiches:
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Meanwhile, assemble the sandwiches.
Cut 1 large tomato crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Spread the butter or 2 tablespoons mayonnaise evenly onto 1 side of 4 sandwich bread slices. Flip 2 of the slices over. Top each one with 2 sharp cheddar cheese slices. Top with the tomato slices. Divide the tuna salad over the tomatoes and spread into an even layer. Close the sandwiches with the remaining 2 bread slices buttered-side up.
Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate or cutting board and cut the sandwiches in half before serving.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead: The tuna salad can be made up to 5 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.
FAQs
The key to this sandwich is that the tuna salad. I packed this sandwich full of celery, pickles, red onion, and pepper flakes to make a flavorful salad that tastes just as good by itself as it does in this sandwich.
Are tuna melts unhealthy? ›
Tuna itself isn't high in calories, but bind it together with mayonnaise, spread it on bread and melt cheese on top and the calories start to add up. Fortunately, by making a few simple adjustments, you can enjoy a healthier version of this classic hot sandwich.
Where did the name tuna melt come from? ›
Legend has it that the tuna melt was accidentally invented in the 1960s at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Charleston, S.C., when the cook didn't notice that a bowl of tuna salad had tipped over onto a grilled cheese.
What is a tuna melt sandwich made of? ›
In a medium-sized bowl stir together tuna, mayonnaise, minced pickles, and steak seasoning. Butter one side of each slice of bread then flip two over and top each with half the tuna mixture. Add a slice of cheese then cover with remaining slices of buttered bread.
Which tastes better tuna in oil or tuna in water? ›
In the end, it comes down to taste: Tuna packed in water will be more neutral and, well, watery, while olive oil will have some peppery richness that can complement that tuna.
Can you eat a leftover tuna melt? ›
To maintain freshness, one should store leftover tuna melts in an airtight container. Place them in the refrigerator as soon as they have cooled down to prevent bacterial growth. It's also advisable to consume the stored tuna melts within two days to ensure the best quality and food safety.
Is canned tuna considered junk food? ›
Key takeaways: Canned tuna is a nutritious and versatile meal option. It's high in protein, omega-3 fats, and several vitamins. White albacore tuna has more calories and fat (including beneficial omega-3 fat) compared with light skipjack tuna.
Is it okay to eat a tuna sandwich every day? ›
Certain types of tuna are high in mercury, which can have harmful effects on health in high amounts or in certain populations. For most healthy adults, it's recommended to consume at least 2 servings of fish per week, which can include tuna.
What is the most unhealthy tuna? ›
One big takeaway is that albacore has much more mercury than light or skipjack tuna, regardless of the brand. That's not surprising, since albacore is larger and lives longer than the tunas that make up the light tuna or skipjack tunas.
Can Jews eat tuna melts? ›
The Backstory: Perhaps one of the all-time great American deli and diner sandwiches is the tuna melt. Simple, savory, crunchy and creamy (but not overly so), this comfort food classic, is definitely high on my list of Jewish food (but also Americana) favorites.
For tuna varieties, skipjack earns the Best Choice label from the FDA, while yellowfin and albacore receive the Good Choice label. The FDA suggests avoiding bigeye tuna, which has the highest levels of mercury. Before consuming canned tuna, it is best to consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Does Subway tuna have mayonnaise? ›
Before adding to the sandwich line, Subway Sandwich Artists ™ mix the tuna with mayonnaise. A fan-favorite, guests enjoy the 100% real tuna the way they like it – with their choice of veggies in a freshly made sandwich, wrap or salad.
Can dogs eat tuna? ›
Can dogs have tuna? Yes, you can feed your dog canned tuna, as long as you do so in moderation and infrequently. Choose the version that's packed in fresh water instead of oil or salted water. Also check the label to make sure there is no extra salt added to the canned tuna.
Can you eat tuna melt cold? ›
Yep. Tuna stays cold, but the cheese is melted. Look at that. It's just Delicious.
Why is tuna in a pouch? ›
Tuna made Easy!
StarKist® Labor Saver Tuna Pouches are quicker to open and produce 100% yield with no draining needed! Each hand-packed pouch locks in premium, fresh tuna flavor with less liquid, leading to consistent recipe performance and a more efficient use of storage space.
Why does restaurant tuna salad taste better? ›
The highest-quality tuna is bought fresh from the market or fishmonger, so some restaurants process and cook fresh tuna before incorporating it into the tuna salad. Although time-consuming and expensive, many chefs prefer this approach.
Why does tuna taste so good? ›
While HyVee reports more "fishy" flavored seafood's strong taste is a result of their high omega-3 fat content (which also makes them good for your heart), tuna fish's beefy flavor all comes down to a protein called myoglobin (per Foodiosity).
Why does tuna make me feel good? ›
Omega 3s
These are the good fats that keep your heart happy and healthy. Tuna is brimming with two types of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which have been linked to reduced inflammation, improved brain function, and a lowered risk of heart disease.
Why is tuna meat so good? ›
There are many beneficial nutrients found in tuna, it is rich in protein and contains vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus.
