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
There’s nothing quite like a warm, cheesy tuna melt when you’re craving comfort food.
Ingredients
- one 188 millilitre can chunk light tuna, well drained
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon minced white onion
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices bread of choice
- 1 tablespoon finely minced celery
- 4 slices cheddar or marble cheese
- extra mayonnaise for “buttering” the bread slices
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Begin by flaking the drained tuna with a fork in a mixing bowl. Stir in the mayonnaise, minced onion, celery, relish, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper until everything is evenly combined.
- Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of two slices of bread—just as you would with butter. Place those slices mayo-side down into a large skillet.
- Lay one slice of cheese on each piece of bread. Spoon the tuna mixture over the cheese, then top with another slice of cheese.
- Take the remaining two slices of bread, spread mayonnaise on one side, and place them mayo-side up on top of each sandwich.
- Heat the skillet over medium heat. Let the sandwiches cook until the bottoms are golden and crisp. Carefully flip them and cook the other side until it’s toasted and the cheese has melted.
- Once both sides are browned and everything is heated through, remove the sandwiches from the skillet. Slice in half and serve right away.
Notes
- Feel free to tweak the filling ingredients based on what you like best. While mayonnaise is used here on the outside for a golden, crisp finish, you can also use butter—it just browns faster and may not give the tuna enough time to fully warm through.
- Stick with medium heat to ensure the sandwich warms evenly from the inside out without burning the bread.
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.
