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!
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!
More Easy Lunch Ideas
- Healthy Chickpea Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pesto Panini
- Italian Quinoa Salad
- Dill Pickle Tuna Salad
- Jennifer Aniston Salad
- Chickpea “Chicken” Salad
- BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
- BLT Egg Salad
- Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 oz can tuna, drained, Wild Planet brand wild albacore tuna recommended
- 3-4 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 dill pickle spears, minced, see notes
- 1/4 teaspoon steak seasoning, see notes
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bread, Canyon Bakehouse Heritage Loaf recommeded
- softened butter
Directions
- Preheat a large flat skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Flake the tuna inside a medium-sized bowl then add the mayonnaise, minced pickles, and steak seasoning and stir to combine. 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 the remaining slices of bread, buttered-side up.
- Place the sandwiches onto the preheated skillet or griddle then cook until golden brown on the bottom. Flip then cook until the second side is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Remove sandwiches to plates then slice and serve.
Notes
- Feel free to use relish vs mincing the pickles for an even faster recipe.
- Feel free to use a store-bought steak seasoning instead of homemade. I like Tone’s Beef Seasoning Blend,
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin
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.