Tuna Melt (Cheesy and Healthier)

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This cheesy Tuna Melt is crazy delicious and a classic for a reason. Here I've made a lighter tuna salad that's creamy and tangy, sandwiched with tomato and cheese for the ultimate comfort food. You can also use my chickpea tuna for a veggie version.

Tuna melts are the ultimate comfort food and an American classic sandwich for a reason. Now I must admit, I'm not always a fan of canned tuna and go through phases of loving it, to then not eating it for months! I also usually eat tuna salad cold and fresh as a summer snack or lunch, and a warm tuna melt was not something I grew up eating. Well...this was up until I first tried it and WOW did my opinion change! It's definitely a more hearty take on tuna but in a totally good way.

The key to the best tuna melt is having the right balance in the dressing which should be a little tangy to cut through the melted cheese. As its a heavier meal, I've also made a lighter tuna salad mixture that uses half Greek yogurt and half mayo which still turns out delicious and creamy. Perfect for lunch or even an easy weeknight dinner when you don't have the energy to cook. I also have a veggie chickpea tuna salad recipe that you can use in this recipe for a vegetarian version.

Another addition I like to add in my tuna melt recipe are tomato slices, which I know isn't traditional, but I think goes so well. It adds a little freshness along with the pickles, celery, red onion, dijon and spicy sriracha for the perfect harmony of flavors. Along with your preferred cheese of course, because you cant have a tuna melt without cheese! I love Swiss emmental cheese but cheddar is another favorite and classic.

This tuna mixture also keeps well in the fridge, so feel free to double and make a little extra for meal prep. This way you have an easy quick lunch ready. You can even enjoy it in a wrap or pita bread or for a low carb option try as an open-faced sandwich, or with crackers or lettuce cups without the bread. If you love tuna recipes, you must also try my spicy tuna crispy rice and my take on the Matthew McConaughey tuna salad.

Table of Contents

What makes this recipe special
Ingredients and Substitutions
How to make a Tuna Melt
Tips and Tricks
Storage Instructions
FAQs
More Tuna Recipes
More Delicious Sandwiches
Recipe
Comments

What makes this recipe special

Quick & Easy: Ready in 15 minutes using pantry staples you probably already have
American Classic: The ultimate comfort food with oozy cheese on delicious creamy tuna salad
Lighter & Healthier: I've used half mayo/Greek yogurt for a healthier tuna salad. Feel free to use 100% yogurt for an even lighter result
Versatile: Enjoy for work lunch or easy weeknight dinner. You can even swap the bread for pita or enjoy with crackers or lettuce cups for a low carb version

Tuna mixture combined in a bowl with a spoon

Ingredients and Substitutions

Canned tuna is the star of the show today. I recommend a good quality tuna brand, I prefer tuna in olive oil but spring water works well too
Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt add the creamy richness to the dressing plus keeps it lighter. You can however use 100% yogurt or 100% mayo if you prefer
Dijon mustard brings a little acidic tang
Lemon juice lifts the flavors and cuts through the richness. You can also use some pickle brine
Pickles, celery, red onion are all finely diced adding a little crunch, zing, and freshness. You can substitute with capers, green onions or shallots too
Sriracha sauce is optional and adds spicy heat, hot sauce works too
Sandwich bread - any kind of bread works, whether its white bread, sourdough, whole wheat, rye or even gluten-free if needed. I've used wholewheat bread today
Cheese for the melty part of the tuna melt of course. I used Swiss cheese today but my second favorite is cheddar cheese which is the classic. Pepper jack, American cheese work too
Tomato slices adds juiciness and a layer of flavor and freshness

How to make a Tuna Melt

Making a tuna melt at home is super easy and so satisfying. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a warm, melty sandwich that always hits the spot. Follow my instructions below (note quantities are listed in the recipe card below)

Pickles, red onion and celery diced into cubes on a cutting board

Finely dice the pickles, celery, and red onion. *Optional - soak the onion in water to reduce its sharpness

Drain the tuna and add it to a medium bowl

Chopped ingredients and sauces added to tuna in a mixing bowl

Mix in the chopped ingredients, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and sriracha (if using). Stir to combine

Sandwich being prepared on a cutting board with tuna mixture, cheese and tomato slices

Place slices of cheese on the bottom piece of bread, top with tomato slices, season with salt and pepper, then spoon on the tuna mixture. Add the top piece of bread

Tuna melt sandwich being toasted in a panini press

Toast in a sandwich or panini press until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. Or, cook in a skillet over medium heat with a little olive oil or butter, flipping once toasted

Final tuna sandwich cut in half and piece being lifted by hand

Slice and enjoy your cheesy, golden tuna melt!

Tips and Tricks

Drain the tuna well to avoid a watery tuna mixture, then flake using a fork
Cook on medium heat to avoid burning while giving the cheese time to melt
Toast using a toaster oven, skillet or sandwich press. You can even toast in your air fryer!
If toasting in a skillet, you butter the outside of the bread with mayo or butter for extra richness. I prefer a light drizzle of olive oil myself instead
To make it extra cheesy, add a double layer of the cheese above and below the tuna for the ultimate cheese pull

Storage Instructions

The best tuna melt is enjoyed fresh for the perfect texture, but you can store leftovers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil in the fridge for up to 2 days (untoasted)
Reheat and toast in a sandwich press, toaster oven or skillet as per the recipe when ready to serve
I would however recommend storing the tuna salad mixture separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, then assemble the sandwich and toast when ready to enjoy

Tuna sandwich cut in half and being pulled apart to show the cheesy melt

FAQs

What goes in a tuna melt?

A classic tuna melt is made with a tuna salad mixture with mayonnaise, pickles, onion and celery then layered on bread with cheese slices and toasted until cheesy goodness

Can I make this without mayo?

Yes of course! Replace mayonnaise with 100% Greek yogurt for a lighter version

What's the difference between tuna sandwich and tuna melt?

A tuna sandwich is typically enjoyed fresh with a tuna mixture, lettuce and tomato. A tuna melt however is toasted with cheese so the tuna is warm and cheese becomes melted