Tuna Melt sandwiches are hot, crispy, cheesy, and satisfying! Whip up this simple yet scrumptious classic tuna sandwich for a filling lunch, or easy dinner. Pair with potato chips and a salad for a complete meal.

I’m constantly asked for easy lunch recipes since so many of us work from home these days. Salads and leftovers are great — but a sizzling Tuna Melt Sandwich is even better.

My daughter and I love to split a batch of my signature tuna salad, which we eat with crackers, but stuffing it between buttered bread, topping it with cheddar cheese, then toasting it until sizzling and golden brown is a total treat.

This protein-packed combo keeps me full until dinner time and like I said, sometimes a hot vs cold lunch is so very welcomed!

Watch How to Make It

What is a Tuna Melt Made Of?

A Tuna Melt is tuna salad scooped between slices of bread with cheese then cooked like a grilled cheese sandwich. Everyone seems to have their own version of the “perfect tuna salad”, but this my go-to mixture made with simple, everyday ingredients:

Canned tuna: I am 100% brand-loyal to Wild Planet Wild Albacore Tuna, which I buy from Costco, though you can find it in any major grocery store.
Mayonnaise: whatever kind you’ve got in the fridge.
Minced dill pickles: I like Grillo’s pickles but again, feel free to use what you have in the fridge, or use relish for a faster option.
Steak seasoning: will take your tuna salad from good to GREAT! See below for my homemade steak seasoning recipe, and favorite store-bought option.
Bread: I recommend Canyon Bakehouse Heritage-Style Bread, or Whole Foods’ Gluten Free Sandwich Bread which have large slices (for GF bread, anyway!) If you don’t need to eat GF, any sliced Italian, French, or sourdough-style bread works great.
Cheese: I typically use sliced cheddar cheese, otherwise Fontina, Gruyere, Havarti, or Muenster cheeses all go great with tuna. Opt for shredded cheese if you want that classic cheese pull experience.

Tuna Melt Variations

My Tuna Melt sandwich recipe is clearly very simple and what I’d call a “classic tuna melt”. That said feel free to jazz yours up to fit your tastes. Here are some ideas:

Add crunch: chopped fresh chives or sliced green onions added to the tuna salad bring brightness and crunch.
Add toppings: open the cooked tuna melt then add thinly sliced red onion, pickled red onions, tomato slices, avocado slices, or arugula just before eating.
Serve open faced: save a few carbs by serving your Tuna Melt open-faced. Brown on the bottom in a skillet then pop it under the broiler to melt the cheese.
Add zip: spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on one of the bread slices before cooking for a pop of flavor, or add a couple teaspoons of drained capers to the tuna salad mixture for a briny flavor.
Add an egg: for even more protein, add a chopped hardboiled egg into the tuna salad mixture.

Clearly this isn’t rocket science — just a super delicious and easy lunch recipe — so let’s get cooking!

How to Make a Tuna Melt Sandwich

Step 1: Mix up the tuna salad.

To a small mixing bowl, add a drained can of wild-caught albacore tuna then flake it up with a fork. Next add your favorite mayo, plus minced pickles or a big scoop of relish, and homemade steak seasoning then stir to combine.

My homemade steak seasoning contains your standard salt and black pepper, plus bold yet everyday herbs and spices that I promise you’ve got on hand. If you’d like to go the store-bought route, I love Tone’s Beef Seasoning Blend.

Best Canned Tuna for Tuna Salad

Again, Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna is our FAVORITE brand of canned tuna, hands down! It’s a little pricier then other brands, but the tuna is wild caught and the taste and texture cannot be beat.

Costco sells these in packs, though you can buy individual tins at any grocery store these days.

Step 2: Toast the Tuna Melt.

Spread softened butter on four slices of bread then flip two over and divide the tuna salad mixture between the slices.

Top the tuna salad with a slice of cheddar cheese then place the remaining slices of bread buttered-side up on top.

Toast the sandwiches on a griddle or in a flat skillet over medium heat until crispy and golden brown on both sides.

That’s all she wrote! Hot, crispy, totally satisfying Tuna Melt sandwiches!

hands holding a tuna melt sliced in half

Make Ahead of Time

Get your Tuna Melt on your plate even faster by making the tuna salad ahead of time.

Combine the ingredients then store in an airtight storage container in the fridge for up to three days.
This recipe easily doubles or triples well!

What to Serve with Tuna Melts

Since a Tuna Melt is hearty and satisfying in its own, I like to serve it with something fresh — though it does pair well with a handful of crunchy potato chips, diner-style! Here are some more ideas:

Side salad
Celery and carrots
Coleslaw
Pickles
Fresh pepper slices
Sweet potato chips
Classic potato chips

However you serve it, I hope you love each bite of this classic Tuna Melt recipe — enjoy!

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