Tuna Melt
This Open Faced Tuna Melt is sure to become your new go-to lunch! Tuna is mixed with ingredients like lemon juice, parsley, and onions before being topped with a slice of tomato and cheese, then broiled to melted perfection. Step up your lunch game by making this incredibly satisfying tuna melt today!
Open Faced Tuna Melt
It’s a shame how overlooked lunch can be! Too often, we get through the middle of the day with lackluster sandwiches or boxed shake-n-go salads. That’s why I appreciate recipes like this open faced tuna melt! They prove that an easy lunch doesn’t need to be lackluster. This simple recipe always hits the spot!
While this is predominantly a lunch recipe in my house, I’d be lying if I said I haven’t made it for dinner once or twice before. It’s just too good! Between the perfectly seasoned tuna on bread to the tomato and melted cheese topping, it’s impossible not to crave this open faced tuna melt at all hours of the day.
If you love a classic Tuna Salad, then you’re going to be obsessed with this melt. It’s just like a tuna salad sandwich… only even better, if I do say so myself! If you don’t believe me, you need to make this melt for yourself and be the judge. Pair it with a handful of salty potato chips and a soda, then try to tell me it’s not the BEST lunch ever! It’s easy, delicious, and just filling enough to keep you going until dinner time. (Unless you’re eating it for dinner, of course, then it’s enough to keep you full till breakfast)!
Ingredients
- Tuna – Use a mild flavored tuna like Yellowfin tuna or Albacore Tuna packed in water.
- Vegetables – For added crunch we mix in carrot, celery and red onion.
- Lemon – Lemon zest and lemon juice add brightness to the recipe.
- Mayonnaise – We love a good mayonnaise for added tanginess.
- Bread – Use a hearty bread like sourdough, multi-grain or ciabatta.
- Cheese – Cheddar cheese adds sharpness but you could use shredded mozzarella, muenster or even provolone.
- Greens – Top with micro greens or sprouts for freshness.
For the full list of ingredients, measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make a Tuna Melt
- Shred. Place the tuna in a medium bowl and break up with a fork until finely shredded.
- Stir. Add the carrot, celery, onion, lemon zest, juice, parsley and mayonnaise to the tuna. Stir to combine thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Toast. Toast the bread for 2-3 minutes.
- Divide. Divide the tuna between each slice of toast and pile in an even mound.
- Top. Top each sandwich with one tomato slice and sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
- Broil. Arrange the sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil on high for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Serve. Top with the sprouts or micro greens, if desired and serve immediately.
How to Make in Advance
Once you mix up the tuna itself, it’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days. However, don’t toast the bread and assemble the melt until you’re ready to serve it!
Once these melts are broiled, they’re best served immediately. I feel like this rule is the same for all dishes with melted cheese – it’s best right after it’s been melted.
Variations
If you’re a pickle lover, add a pinch or two of dried dill weed to the tuna! Also, you should definitely serve this open faced melt with a pickle spear.
I absolutely LOVE adding fresh pieces of crumbled bacon to my melt! The way that the salty bacon accompanies the salty chips on the side is almost too good to put into words. I mean really, what’s not better with a little bacon?!
Another great fresh ingredient you can add is sliced avocado right on top of the melted cheese! Just don’t add it until after the melt as been broiled, not before. The sliced avocado with fresh micro greens on top of the warm tuna melt perfectly balances the savory and fresh flavors!
More Easy Lunch Recipes
- Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Southwest Style Steak Wrap
- Spinach Blue Cheese and Chickpea Pasta Salad Stuffed Tomatoes
- Tuna Patties Recipe
- Hot Roast Beef Sandwich
- Cuban Sandwich
For more easy recipes, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Melt Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 5 ounce cans yellowfin tuna in water, drained
- 1/4 cup finely diced carrot
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 4 slices hearty bread
- 4 slices tomato
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups micro greens or sprouts
Equipment
- baking sheet
Instructions
- Place the tuna in a medium bowl and break up with a fork until finely shredded.
- Add the carrot, celery, onion, lemon zest, juice, parsley and mayonnaise to the tuna. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Toast the bread for 2-3 minutes.
- Divide the tuna between each slice of toast and pile in an even mound.
- Top each sandwich with one tomato slice and sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
- Arrange the sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil on high for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Top with the sprouts or micro greens, if desired and serve immediately.