The tuna melt is a beloved comfort food that combines the creamy, savory goodness of tuna salad with the crispy, cheesy delight of a grilled sandwich. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish, often served for lunch or a quick dinner, and its warm, melty cheese paired with the tuna filling is truly irresistible.
To make a classic tuna melt, you start with a tuna salad mixture. Canned tuna, preferably packed in water or oil, is drained and flaked into a bowl. Mayonnaise is the base of the salad, adding creaminess, while a touch of Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper enhance the flavor. You can also throw in finely chopped celery, onion, or pickles for extra crunch and a slight tang. The result is a flavorful tuna salad with just the right balance of creaminess and savory goodness.
Next comes the bread – thick slices of sourdough or whole wheat bread are perfect for this sandwich. The bread is lightly buttered on the outside to achieve that crispy, golden crust when grilled. Once the bread is ready, a generous amount of tuna salad is spread on one slice, followed by a layer of melted cheese. Cheddar, Swiss, or American cheese are classic choices, but feel free to experiment with your favorite melting cheeses. The cheese should be thick enough to melt and drip over the tuna salad as the sandwich grills.
Once assembled, the sandwich is cooked in a hot skillet or on a griddle until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is perfectly melted inside. The result is a deliciously gooey, crispy sandwich with a warm, flavorful filling that hits all the right notes.
Tuna melts are often served with a side of chips, a pickle, or a fresh salad. They’re quick, easy, and perfect for a comforting meal that doesn’t require too much effort. Whether you’re enjoying it on a busy day or making it as a late-night snack, a tuna melt never fails to satisfy.
Ingredients
- 1 can tuna drained
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 slices bread of your choice
- 1 slice cheese cheddar or American
- 1 tablespoon butter softened
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the drained tuna, mayonnaise, and lemon juice until well combined.
- Spread the tuna mixture evenly onto one slice of bread.
- Place a slice of cheese on top of the tuna mixture.
- Top with the second slice of bread.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt the butter.
- Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove from heat, slice in half, and serve warm.
Nutrition
This is the best tuna melt I’ve ever had! So easy and delicious! 😋
This tuna melt is soooo gooood! I added some pickles and it took it to another level! 5 stars!
Tried this tonight—so quick and actually tastes bright because of the lemon. I used cheddar and it melted perfectly. Will make again!
Totally agree—lemon juice is such a game changer in tuna. Glad the cheddar worked out too!
Mine tasted kinda weird? I used bottled lemon and maybe that’s why… still not bad though. Next time I’ll squeeze it fresh.
Not gonna lie, I don’t get the mayo + lemon thing. The flavor felt weird to me, like tuna salad but hot… still edible though.
Loved it. I used sourdough bread instead and it was delish!
But is sourdough really a good swap for regular bread? I feel like it might be too tangy for a tuna melt.
I love sourdough too! It adds such a nice flavor. Great choice!
I dunno, something just felt off with my tuna. Maybe my mayo was old? 🤨
Why would I waste my time on this? Just get a can of tuna and eat it plain, way easier.
But this is way better than plain tuna! You get melty cheese and crispy bread, what’s not to love?
Tuna melts are my jam! But what’s with lemon juice? I never added that before, unique!
Solid basic tuna melt. I was skeptical about the lemon juice but it makes a difference. Next time I’ll add some pepper and maybe a tiny pinch of garlic powder.
Yum!!! My kids gobbled it up! They even asked for seconds!
That’s awesome! It’s always a win when kids love healthy food!
I don’t know, tuna melts? Seems kinda boring.