Nothing beats a hot, cheesy Tuna Melt Sandwich when you’re craving something cozy, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying. This is one of those recipes that takes you right back to childhood—but with a few family-tested tricks to make it even better.
Whether it’s a lazy weekend lunch or a weeknight dinner you can whip up in minutes, this sandwich is pure comfort food.
What Is a Tuna Melt, Anyway?
Think of a tuna melt as the warm, melty cousin of a classic tuna salad sandwich. You take that creamy tuna filling, sandwich it between slices of bread, melt cheese over it, and grill it to golden perfection. You can go open-faced for that diner-style vibe or closed-faced for a more portable, sturdy version.
It’s warm, cheesy, a little tangy, and super satisfying.
Tuna Melt Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to build your melt:
For the Tuna Filling
- Canned tuna (in water or oil, drained well)
- Mayonnaise (classic or olive oil-based)
- Minced celery (for crunch)
- Finely chopped white onion
- Sweet green relish (or finely diced pickles)
- Lemon juice (adds brightness)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional extras: a pinch of garlic powder, some finely diced carrots, or fresh dill for extra flavor.
For the Sandwich
- Slices of grainy or multigrain bread (adds great texture)
- 2 slices of cheese per sandwich – cheddar, marble, or mozzarella all work well
- Tomato slices or thin raw onion rings (optional toppings)
- A swipe of mayonnaise on the outside of the bread for grilling (instead of butter!)
How to Make a Tuna Melt Sandwich
Step 1: Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix together the tuna, mayo, celery, onion, relish, and lemon juice. Stir until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Step 2: Assemble
Spread a thin layer of mayo on the outside of each bread slice. On the inside, layer one slice of cheese, a scoop of tuna filling, and another slice of cheese. Top with the second slice of bread (mayo side out).
Step 3: Cook
Place the sandwiches on a skillet over medium heat. Grill until golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted—about 3–4 minutes per side. Keep the heat moderate so the insides heat through without burning the bread.
Step 4: Serve
Cut in half, plate it up with some pickles or kettle chips, and enjoy that cheesy, savory goodness.
Tuna Melt Topping Ideas
Want to add a little flair? Here are some tasty toppings to try:
- Tomato slices
- Thin red or white onion rings
- Pickle slices
- Lettuce (add after grilling)
- A handful of crushed potato chips for crunch!
Family Tuna Melt Secrets
- Mayo on the outside > butter. It browns more evenly and won’t burn as easily. Plus, it adds a lovely crispiness.
- Two slices of cheese. One on top, one on the bottom. This holds everything together and gives you that glorious cheesy pull.
- Grainy bread = game changer. It balances out the creaminess of the tuna and gives great structure.
- Sweet relish + lemon juice. The perfect sweet-tangy combo that makes the tuna filling sing.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with tomato soup for a classic combo.
- Serve with a side of coleslaw or crisp green salad.
- Chips, pickles, or a cold fizzy drink round it out perfectly.
Classic Tuna Melt Sandwich
Nothing beats a hot, cheesy Tuna Melt Sandwich when you’re craving something cozy, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
- one 188 millilitre can chunk light tuna, well drained
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon minced white onion
- 1 tablespoon finely minced celery
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices bread of choice
- 4 slices cheddar or marble cheese
- extra mayonnaise for “buttering” the bread slices
Instructions
- Flake the tuna with a fork, then combine it with mayonnaise, onion, celery, relish, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Spread mayonnaise on two slices of bread as you would butter, then place them mayonnaise-side down in a large skillet.
- Lay a slice of cheese on each piece of bread.
- Spoon the tuna mixture evenly over the cheese slices. Top with another slice of cheese.
- Spread mayonnaise on the remaining two slices of bread and place them on top, mayonnaise side facing out.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the sandwiches until the bottom sides are golden brown.
- Carefully flip and cook the other sides until also browned and the cheese is melted through.
- Remove from the pan, slice in half, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can adjust the filling ingredients to suit your taste.
- Butter can be used on the bread instead of mayo, but it browns faster and may not heat the sandwich all the way through.
- Always cook over medium heat so the inside gets warmed properly. Avoid high heat to prevent burning the outside before the inside is hot.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 13978Total Fat 190gSaturated Fat 49gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 81gCholesterol 5661mgSodium 39480mgCarbohydrates 44gFiber 2gSugar 7gProtein 3039g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
