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. Itâs 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. Theyâre quick, easy, and perfect for a comforting meal that doesnât require too much effort. Whether youâre 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! đ
Easy dinner, but I wish the recipe mentioned seasoning the tuna (salt/pepper). Without it I felt it was a bit flat. Still edible though!
This tuna melt is soooo gooood! I added some pickles and it took it to another level! 5 stars!
Tried this tonightâso quick and actually tastes bright because of the lemon. I used cheddar and it melted perfectly. Will make again!
Totally agreeâlemon juice is such a game changer in tuna. Glad the cheddar worked out too!
Mine tasted kinda weird? I used bottled lemon and maybe thatâs why⊠still not bad though. Next time Iâll squeeze it fresh.
Not gonna lie, I donât 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? đ€š
1 can tuna? Thats expensive now⊠but it was good i guess. Would recommend.
Totally get you on the tuna prices đ Still, this is one of those âworth itâ sandwiches when you want something quick and filling.
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!
Pretty good, but I think the mayo + tuna is a bit thick. Next time Iâll add a tiny splash more lemon or maybe a spoon of pickle relish for some tang.
Solid basic tuna melt. I was skeptical about the lemon juice but it makes a difference. Next time Iâll 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.
Followed the recipe, but my bread burned. Maybe it was my stove? đ€·ââïž
I followed it exactly, but my tuna mixture was kind of thick. Maybe my mayo brand is thicker? Still tasty though.
Yeah, thick tuna mixture usually comes down to mayo thickness or how well the tuna was drained. A little extra lemon juice or even 1 tsp mayo + stir can loosen it next time. Glad it was still tasty!
Mine did that onceâthought I messed up, but it turned out fine. I think if the tunaâs not fully drained it can be weirdly thick or pasty. Also, medium heat might make it feel thicker? Next time try cooking a minute less so it doesnât get too dry.
Y’all, this is the best tuna melt I ever made. Cheese melted just right!
Super easy. I had to add a little extra mayo because my tuna was drier than expected, but still turned out great.
Totally agreeâtuna can be so dry depending on the brand. That extra mayo trick usually saves the texture.
This is so easy and delicious! My family loved it!
Tuna? On bread? That’s a big no for me. Stick to PB&J.
Made this for lunch todayâsimple and honestly super satisfying. The lemon really brightens the tuna. Mine browned a tiny bit too fast on the first side, so Iâd keep an eye on medium heat.
I used cheddar and it melted great. I think next time Iâll add a little pepper or chopped pickles for crunch, but overall solid.
Nice! Cheddar is definitely the way to goâthose melts are so satisfying. Pepper or chopped pickles sounds like a great crunchy twist. đ
I don’t get why people like tuna. It smells weird. Not my fave.
I used to think the same, but once I tried this, it changed my mind! Give it a shot with some spices!
Tuna? Really? I thought we were supposed to be eating healthy. Why all the butter?
Honestly, I donât get why people like tuna melts. The flavor is just…off. Didnât like it.
I totally get what you mean! Tuna melts have such a strange flavor. Not for everyone, for sure.
Tuna in a sandwich? Sounds weird but my kids loved it! Will make again. Quick meal!
Delicious! I can’t believe how quick it was to make. Tuna and cheese is a winning combo!
Not gonna lie, I donât get the hype. Tuna + cheese is okay, but the mayo/lemon ratio felt weird to me. Maybe it needs more onion or celery? I probably wonât repeat it.
Totally fairâmayo + lemon can taste âoffâ if you go heavy on the lemon. I usually start with 1/2 tsp and adjust. Onion or celery would probably be a great fix too!
I love it exactly how it is đ Tuna + cheese is the main thing, lemon is just for zing. Adding onion/celery changes it into something else, but if you want crunch, celeryâs not a bad idea.
This is the best tuna melt I ever had! Super easy and quick! đ
This recipe is too simple. I was expectin’ something fancy, not just tuna and bread.
Seriously, just 7 steps? That’s like, the easiest thing I’ve ever made! đ
Right?! It’s so simple! That’s why I love it, quick lunch with no fuss. đ
Yeah, but what if you forgot the lemon juice? Then itâs just tuna on bread! đ