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A perfectly grilled Tuna Melt sandwich cut in half, showing the cheesy tuna salad filling, served with fries and a pickle.

Classic Tangy Tuna Melt with Crispy Edges

A comforting, satisfying sandwich featuring a zesty tuna salad, melted cheese, and perfectly toasted bread. This tuna melt is a quick and delicious meal for any day.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Tuna Salad
  • 1 can Tuna 5 oz, in water or oil, well-drained
  • 3 tbsp Mayonnaise
  • 1 stalk Celery finely diced
  • 1 tbsp Red onion finely minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Black pepper freshly ground
For the Sandwich
  • 4 slices White bread or sourdough
  • 4 slices Cheddar cheese medium or sharp, or 1/2 cup shredded
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted butter softened

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Frying Pan or Griddle
  • Spatula
  • Can opener

Method
 

Prepare the Tuna Salad
  1. Drain the canned tuna very well. In a medium mixing bowl, flake the tuna with a fork until it's broken into small pieces.
  2. Add the mayonnaise, finely diced celery, minced red onion, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.
  3. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the tuna salad has a uniform consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Assemble the Sandwiches
  1. Generously butter one side of each of the four bread slices.
  2. Place two of the bread slices, butter-side down, on a clean work surface.
  3. Divide the prepared tuna salad evenly between these two bread slices, spreading it to the edges.
  4. Top the tuna salad on each sandwich with 2 slices (or 1/4 cup shredded) of cheddar cheese.
  5. Place the remaining two bread slices on top, butter-side up, to complete the sandwiches.
Cook the Tuna Melts
  1. Heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium heat.
  2. Once the pan is hot, carefully place the assembled tuna melts into the pan. You may need to cook them one at a time if your pan isn't large enough for two.
  3. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is completely melted and gooey. Gently press down on the sandwiches with a spatula to ensure even browning and good contact with the pan.
  4. If the bread is browning too quickly, reduce the heat slightly to allow the cheese to melt fully without burning the bread.
Serve
  1. Carefully remove the tuna melts from the pan. Cut each sandwich in half diagonally and serve immediately.

Notes

For an extra tang, consider adding a pinch of capers or finely chopped dill pickles to the tuna salad mixture. A thin slice of tomato can also be added inside before cooking for a fresh element, but make sure to pat it dry to prevent sogginess.