Tuna melts were invented in 1965 when a Charleston deli ran out of bread and grilled tuna salad on English muffins instead.
Tuna Melt Sandwich
Savor the ultimate comfort food with our tantalizing Tuna Melt Sandwich! This mouthwatering delight features a rich, creamy tuna filling blended with zesty pickles and a hint of mustard, all topped with gooey, melted cheese. Perfectly grilled to golden perfection, it’s a satisfying bite that’s both simple and scrumptious!
Prep
15
min
Cook
10
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- 1 stick celery finely diced
- 1/2 red onion
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 1 cup of tuna (240 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- butter
- your desired cheese (I used Colby Jack)
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- tomatoesoptional
🧂Spices & Seasonings(2)
- a little fresh dilloptional
- salt & black pepper (to taste)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard (5 ml)
📦Other(1)
- two tablespoons of mayo (30 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine tuna, mayo, dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, diced celery, red onion, and fresh dill.
- 2
Spread the tuna mixture onto your bread, add tomatoes and cheese.
- 3
Butter both sides of the sandwich and place it on a pan over medium heat.
- 4
Cover the pan so the cheese fully melts, and flip the sandwich.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Drain tuna completely and press with paper towels to remove excess moisture, as even 1-2 tablespoons of residual liquid will make the bread soggy and prevent proper browning.ingredient1-2 tablespoons excess moisture
- ✓Salt tomato slices and let them drain on paper towels for 10-15 minutes to draw out water through osmosis, preventing a watery sandwich that won't crisp properly.technique10-15 minutes
- ✓Cook at medium-low heat (275-300°F pan surface) rather than medium to ensure the cheese melts completely before the bread burns, as cheese needs 3-4 minutes to reach proper melting temperature.timing275-300°F
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of mayonnaise to Dijon mustard in your tuna mixture because mustard's acidity helps emulsify the fats and prevents the filling from separating during cooking.technique3:1 ratio
- ✓Cover the pan for the first 2-3 minutes to create steam that melts the cheese from above while the bottom crisps, then uncover to prevent condensation from making the top soggy.timing2-3 minutes
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
10
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Tuna melts were invented in 1965 when a Charleston deli ran out of bread and grilled tuna salad on English muffins instead.
Tuna Melt Sandwich
Savor the ultimate comfort food with our tantalizing Tuna Melt Sandwich! This mouthwatering delight features a rich, creamy tuna filling blended with zesty pickles and a hint of mustard, all topped with gooey, melted cheese. Perfectly grilled to golden perfection, it’s a satisfying bite that’s both simple and scrumptious!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- 1 stick celery finely diced
- 1/2 red onion
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 1 cup of tuna (240 ml)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- butter
- your desired cheese (I used Colby Jack)
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- tomatoesoptional
🧂Spices & Seasonings(2)
- a little fresh dilloptional
- salt & black pepper (to taste)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard (5 ml)
📦Other(1)
- two tablespoons of mayo (30 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine tuna, mayo, dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, diced celery, red onion, and fresh dill.
- 2
Spread the tuna mixture onto your bread, add tomatoes and cheese.
- 3
Butter both sides of the sandwich and place it on a pan over medium heat.
- 4
Cover the pan so the cheese fully melts, and flip the sandwich.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Drain tuna completely and press with paper towels to remove excess moisture, as even 1-2 tablespoons of residual liquid will make the bread soggy and prevent proper browning.ingredient1-2 tablespoons excess moisture
- ✓Salt tomato slices and let them drain on paper towels for 10-15 minutes to draw out water through osmosis, preventing a watery sandwich that won't crisp properly.technique10-15 minutes
- ✓Cook at medium-low heat (275-300°F pan surface) rather than medium to ensure the cheese melts completely before the bread burns, as cheese needs 3-4 minutes to reach proper melting temperature.timing275-300°F
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of mayonnaise to Dijon mustard in your tuna mixture because mustard's acidity helps emulsify the fats and prevents the filling from separating during cooking.technique3:1 ratio
- ✓Cover the pan for the first 2-3 minutes to create steam that melts the cheese from above while the bottom crisps, then uncover to prevent condensation from making the top soggy.timing2-3 minutes