Tuna Melt Sandwich

Name: Tuna Melt Sandwich with Fresh Herbs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 slices rustic bread; 4 tbsp mayonnaise, for grilling; 4 (5 oz) cans tuna in water, drained; 1 red onion, finely diced; 2 large dill pickles, diced; 1/4 cup chives, finely chopped; 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped; 1/2 cup mayonnaise, for salad; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tsp sambal oelek; 1 tsp honey; salt, to taste; 1 cup Emmental cheese, shredded; 1 cup aged Gouda cheese, shredded

A loaded tuna melt sandwich combining crispy grilled bread and melted cheese with a vibrant tuna salad featuring red onion, dill pickles, fresh herbs, and a subtle heat from sambal oelek.

🌍American 🏷️Tuna melt 🏷️Sandwich 🏷️Tuna salad 🏷️Grilled cheese Cheesy

🏷️

🏷️Comfort food

-0:00

twisted.chefonTikTok

Total

25 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by twisted.chef

-0:00

twisted.chefonTikTok

Ingredients

8 slices rustic bread
4 tbsp mayonnaise, for grilling
4 (5 oz) cans tuna in water, drained
1 red onion, finely diced
2 large dill pickles, diced
1/4 cup chives, finely chopped
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise, for salad
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp sambal oelek
1 tsp honey
salt, to taste
1 cup Emmental cheese, shredded
1 cup aged Gouda cheese, shredded

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
2
Place two slices of bread, mayo-side down, into a cold, dry pan. Turn the heat to low and toast slowly until golden brown on one side. Remove and set aside.
3
While the bread toasts, prepare the tuna salad. Finely dice the red onion and pickles.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna, diced red onion, and diced pickles.
5
Finely chop the chives and parsley and add them to the bowl.
6
Add mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sambal, honey, and salt to the tuna mixture.
7
Mix with a fork until all ingredients are well combined.
8
To assemble the sandwich, take a slice of the toasted bread and place it toasted-side down. On the untoasted side, layer a generous amount of shredded Emmental and aged Gouda cheese.
9
Add a large scoop of the tuna salad on top of the cheese.
10
Top the tuna with another layer of shredded cheese.
11
Place the second slice of bread on top, toasted-side up. Press down gently.
12
Spread mayonnaise on the top slice of bread.
13
Place the sandwich back into the pan, mayo-side down, over low heat.
14
Cook slowly until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Flip and cook the other side until it is also golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
15
Remove from the pan, slice in half, and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Butter the outside of bread generously for even browning and maximum crispiness when grilling.
Drain canned tuna thoroughly and gently flake it to avoid a mushy salad texture.
Grill over medium heat and press lightly with a spatula to ensure even contact and cheese melting without burning the bread.
Add sambal oelek gradually—start with the full teaspoon and taste, as it delivers a lingering heat.

Substitutions

Canned tuna in oil → canned tuna in water (oil-packed adds richness but rinse thoroughly to reduce sodium)
Sambal oelek → sriracha or hot sauce (adjust quantity; sambal is more concentrated)
Dill pickles → bread-and-butter pickles or capers (alters flavor profile; use same quantity)
Rustic bread → sourdough or focaccia (texture varies slightly; avoid soft white bread)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover tuna salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Assembled sandwiches do not reheat well; prepare fresh when needed.

Common Questions

Can I make the tuna salad ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the tuna salad up to 1 day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Assemble and grill the sandwiches just before serving.

What cheese works best for tuna melts?

Cheddar, American, or Swiss cheese all melt beautifully. Choose based on flavor preference—American melts smoothest, Swiss adds nuttiness, and cheddar provides sharpness.