Crispy Tuna Melt (Printable View)

Golden grilled bread with creamy tuna salad, melted cheese, and pickles — a comforting lunch in 20 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tuna Salad

01 - 2 cans (5 oz/140 g each) tuna in water, drained
02 - 1/4 cup (60 g) mayonnaise
03 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
05 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
06 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Sandwich Assembly

08 - 8 slices sandwich bread (sourdough, rye, or white)
09 - 8 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese
10 - 8–12 dill pickle chips or slices
11 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, red onion, celery, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
02 - Lay out the bread slices on a clean surface. Top 4 slices with a slice of cheese, then divide the tuna salad evenly among them. Top with pickle slices and another slice of cheese.
03 - Cover with remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
04 - Spread butter evenly on the outside of each sandwich (both top and bottom).
05 - Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches, buttered side down, on the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then slice in half and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get gooey, cheesy, crunchy, tangy goodness in every bite — just like a diner, but better at home.
  • It is quick to make but never feels basic, and you can riff on the filling depending on your cravings.
02 -
  • Once, I forgot to drain the tuna thoroughly and ended up with soggy bread—never again.
  • Realizing that a double layer of cheese melts better and keeps the filling sealed in made each bite twice as satisfying.
03 -
  • Draining the tuna fully and patting it dry makes or breaks the texture.
  • Spreading butter all the way to the bread edges is my secret for a perfectly even golden crust.
Go Back