I’ve had a ton of requests for easy lunch recipes now that many of us are working from home, and swinging by the local deli or burger joint isn’t an option. Salads and leftovers are great, but a sizzling Tuna Melt Sandwich is even better!
Gwen and I split a batch of tuna salad for lunch a couple days a week. It’s an easy, healthy option for both of us and we usually dunk into bowls of it with almond crackers. That said, stuffing the tuna salad mixture between slices of buttered bread and cheddar cheese then sizzling until golden brown in a hot skillet is a total treat.
Plus this protein-packed combo keeps me full until dinner time. If you’ve been struggling with constantly snacking while at home, you won’t even think about it with this filling lunch in your belly!
What is a Tuna Melt Made Of?
A Tuna Melt is basically a hot tuna salad sandwich topped with cheese. Tuna Melt has a better ring to it though, don’t ya’ think? ;) Just like with egg salad, everyone seems to have their own version of the perfect tuna salad, but here’s my go-to tuna mixture combo:
- Canned tuna. I prefer Wild Planet Wild Albacore Tuna, which I buy from Costco. It puts other canned tunas to shame!
- Mayonnaise. I use Hellman’s Vegan mayo to keep this recipe egg free for Gwen, who has allergies, but feel free to use your favorite mayonnaise.
- Minced pickles. Tuna Melt sandwiches have to have a little crunch, and minced pickle spears not only bring a crispy, crunchy texture to the tuna salad recipe, but also a bold, tangy flavor.
- Steak seasoning. Yes! You heard it here first. Read below for my go-to homemade steak seasoning recipe that takes this tuna melt from good to GREAT.
Mix up the tuna salad then scoop onto buttered bread slices, add slices of cheddar cheese, then cook on a flat top skillet just like you would any other grilled cheese sandwich.
More Easy Lunch Ideas
- Dill Pickle Tuna Salad
- BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
- Apple Tarragon Chicken Salad
- BLT Egg Salad
- California Turkey and Bacon Lettuce Wrap
- Mediterranean Tuna Salad
- Mediterranean Turkey Wrap
How to Make a Tuna Melt Sandwich
In a small bowl combine wild-caught albacore tuna that’s been drained plus your favorite mayonnaise, minced pickle spears, and homemade steak seasoning. Yes, steak seasoning! It’s got all the good stuff.
This is our FAVORITE tuna, by the way. It’s pretty pricey at the regular grocery store but Costco sells them in a stack for a great price. Always a great idea to grab one when you can!
Scoop the tuna salad between two slices of buttered bread with a slice of cheddar cheese then cook on a griddle or in a skillet over medium heat until hot and golden brown on both sides. OH MY WORD, such a fabulous step up from your standard tuna salad sandwich. I hope you love this simple, delicious lunch idea – enjoy!
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Tuna Melt Sandwich
Description
Tuna Melt Sandwich is hot, crispy, cheesy, and filling! This simple yet scrumptious recipe is perfect for an easy lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- 5oz can tuna, drained (I prefer Wild Planet wild albacore tuna)
- 3-4 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 pickle spears, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon steak seasoning (see notes)
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 slices gluten free bread
- butter
Directions
- Preheat a large flat skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- In a medium-sized bowl stir together tuna, mayonnaise, minced pickles, and steak seasoning. Butter one side of each slice of bread then flip two over and top each with half the tuna mixture. Add a slice of cheese then cover with remaining slices of buttered bread.
- Place sandwiches onto preheated skillet or griddle then cook until golden brown. Flip then cook until the second side is golden brown and cheese is melted. Remove sandwiches to plates then slice and serve.
Notes
- I love this homemade steak seasoning recipe >
- Feel free to add a few fresh tomato slices under the cheese if you have them! This "recipe" is more of an idea so feel free to make it your own.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I’ve always thought my tuna salad recipe was just fine, but I was intrigued by your addition of pickles – never heard of that! Just tried it for fun, and I have to say – YUM! The pickle taste wasn’t overwhelming at all. This is my new tuna salad recipe!
Amazing!! I used sweet pickles and it tasted so good! We will be adding this to our regular lunch rotation!
I am very happy with PRINT RECIPE . Tuna Melt Sandwiches are hot, crispy, cheesy. Keep it up. Thanks for sharing this dish information. I really like this dish. After eat i feel really good.
I recommend not draining the tuna. The fish is cooked in the can so the “juice” is fish oil. I mix it all together and end up using a lot less mayo.
From Wild Planet tuna faq page:
Our albacore and skipjack tuna has no liquid added; it is simply tuna in its own juices. Our sashimi grade tuna steaks are hand cut and placed in the can, sealed, and then cooked. The liquid present when you open the can is only what was originally in the fish itself. That is why we recommend that you use the liquid, and the nutrition panel is based on the whole contents, both meat and liquid.
An exception to this method is our tuna packed in extra virgin olive oil.
When I first saw the picture I thought that cheese was a yellow pepper, and that would be delicious. I love tuna salad but no one else here does. I like mayo, hint of yellow mustard, diced onion, celery, tomatoes, grated egg, grated sharp cheddar and S&P. Yum!! Now that steak seasoning sounds great too. Thanks.
I’m dying for a sandwich, but I cannot get over the taste of gf bread, did you struggle with this?! My store has Udi’s & canyon bakehouse which of the two are better? Appreciate the help.?
Definitely go with Canyon Bakehouse – it’s fantastic! I also really love Franz gluten free bread though I can only currently find that at Costco.
I make more recipes on this site than any other but I am not good at commenting when I make. So here it is: unfussy, easy, tasty and crowd pleasing. I tried to ‘healthify’ and used Ezekiel bread, dairy free cheese and grated carrot in the tuna mix. I recommend! Thanks again IGE for another winner :)
I made this tonight and hubs was SO HAPPY he loves this kind of comfort food! Thank you!
My husband made these a couple of nights ago and they were delicious! Neither of us is a big fan of canned tuna, but we really liked this recipe. I think the pickles made the difference.
This recipe was outstanding, the two dill pickles were the perfect salty flavor and the steak seasoning really enhanced the flavors. This will be my go to tuna melt recipe and maybe make a salad with pasta too.
I don’t want to be THAT girl, especially because I love your blog (even though I’m not gf) and many of your recipes are staples in my house. I also love Wild Planet Tuna but I would recommend the Skipjack over the Albacore, esp if you’re eating multiple times a week. It’s not a taste thing, but Skipjack has the lowest mercury levels.
Just a little PSA. Again, LOVE your blog!
I love and appreciate your self awareness, Gracie! ?❤️ This is great info – I will look for that variety the next time I stock up! Thank you for the heads up!
Would never had thought to add steak seasoning to tuna, but it was great!
I’ve had tuna salad where I’ve added hard boiled eggs to the mix. More protein and delicious
Just made and ate these for lunch! Perfect option on a dreary Seattle day. My husband was sure he could eat two more… Keep the lunch ideas coming please! Thank you!
Amazing!! So glad you guys enjoyed – stay healthy out there!
Love the bounce house. The tuna melt is a great stand by and delicious. Have had this many times. Thinking of you all!
Thanks Aunt Bev! Thinking about you and ALL the babies!!
YUM! We love tuna at our house and this is going on the menu. They have shut down schools for the entire remainder of the school year here in Kansas plus I am teleworking until this is over. This is the perfect easy lunch idea! I love the bounce house! So fun! Is a bounce house in the living room considered P.E.? Asking for a friend ;)
PE AND recess! Highly recommend. ;) I heard about KS schools last week – I have a feeling we are going to be right there with you!! Hang in there, Lacey!!
Speaking of picky toddlers, I would love to know if you have any lunch ideas for them. My son also has a dairy intolerance and it’s hard to find things he’ll actually eat, and so many kids meal ideas are cheese based.
Dairy free is tough, I know it! A very typical lunch plate for my kids is: deli meat sandwich, peppers or carrots with hummus, crackers, and fruit. A few days ago I made them French Toast Sticks (just cut bread into thirds to form “sticks”) with hash browns and fruit, and that was a big hit! Other dairy free snacks we like besides fruit or vegetables: apple slices + peanut butter, Veggie Straws, banana slices topped with peanut butter and a chocolate chip, trail mix (pistachios or peanuts, dried cranberries, pretzels, and maybe mini marshmallows or chocolate chips if I’m feeling generous ?), Chobani coconut yogurt (we tried a LOT of dairy free yogurt and this is the only one my daughter likes), peanut butter toast, or cereal.