Quick Tuna Melt Recipe
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Tuna melts are a quick and tasty meal you can whip up in no time. They’re perfect for lunch or a light dinner. This recipe takes just 17 minutes from start to finish and serves two people.
You’ll need some basic ingredients like tuna, mayo, and cheese. The recipe mixes in celery, pickle relish, and red onion for extra flavor. Once you’ve made the tuna salad, you’ll toast the sandwiches in a skillet until they’re golden brown and the cheese is gooey.
Exact Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make delicious tuna melts. The ingredients are split into two parts – the classic tuna salad filling and the items for assembling the sandwiches.
Classic Tuna Salad
For the tuna salad, you’ll need:
- 4 ounces albacore solid tuna packed in water
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 2 tablespoons pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon chopped red onion
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- A pinch of black pepper
Mix these ingredients in a bowl for a tasty tuna salad. Make sure to drain the tuna well before adding it to the mix.
For The Tuna Melts
To build your tuna melts, gather these items:
- 4 slices white bread
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 slices American cheese
- 2 slices provolone cheese
Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. Layer the cheeses and tuna salad between the bread slices. Cook in a skillet until golden brown and the cheese melts. Your tuna melts will be ready in no time!
Instructions
Making a tuna melt is quick and easy. You’ll prepare the tuna salad first, then assemble and cook the sandwiches. Let’s go through the steps.
Make The Tuna Salad
Drain the tuna well. Put it in a bowl and break it into small chunks. Add mayo, mustard, celery, pickle relish, and red onion. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper. Mix it all up until it’s well combined.
This tuna salad is tasty on its own, but it’s even better in a melt. You can make extra to keep in the fridge for later. It’s great for quick lunches or snacks.
Make The Tuna Melts
Butter one side of each bread slice. Heat up a big skillet on medium-low. Place two slices, butter side down, in the pan. Top each with American cheese, then tuna salad, then provolone.
Add the other bread slices on top, butter side up. Press down gently. Cover the pan and cook for a few minutes. Flip the sandwiches and cook some more. They’re done when the bread is golden-brown and the cheese is melty.
If your pan is small, you might need to cook one sandwich at a time. That’s okay – the second one will be just as yummy! Cut your melts in half and enjoy them while they’re hot.
Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations
Want to mix up your tuna melt? Try these easy swaps and changes:
Bread options:
- Whole wheat bread
- Sourdough
- English muffins
- Bagels
- Tortillas (for a quesadilla-style melt)
Cheese choices:
- Cheddar
- Swiss
- Pepper jack
- Mozzarella
You can also add different veggies to your tuna salad:
- Diced bell peppers
- Chopped cucumbers
- Sliced olives
- Corn kernels
For a healthier twist, use Greek yogurt instead of mayo. Or try mashed avocado for extra creaminess.
Spice it up with:
- Sriracha sauce
- Chopped jalapeños
- Curry powder
- Italian seasoning
You can even swap the tuna for canned chicken or salmon. These changes let you create a melt that fits your taste and diet.
Remember to adjust cooking times if you use thicker bread or add more ingredients. Keep an eye on your sandwich to avoid burning.
Tips, Tricks & Storing
You can easily customize your tuna melt to suit your tastes. Try adding diced jalapeños for a spicy kick or sliced avocado for creaminess.
For a healthier version, use whole grain bread and low-fat mayo. Greek yogurt also makes a great substitute for mayonnaise.
Don’t overstuff your sandwich. Too much filling can make it hard to flip and messy to eat.
Press down gently on the sandwich while cooking. This helps melt the cheese and keeps everything together.
Store leftover tuna salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
If you have extra sandwiches, wrap them tightly in foil. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.
For a quick lunch, prep the tuna salad ahead of time. When you’re ready to eat, just assemble and cook your sandwich.
Try different cheeses like cheddar or Swiss for variety. You can also add tomato slices or crispy bacon for extra flavor.