How to Make the Best Tuna Melt (Easy Sandwich Recipe)

There’s something undeniably comforting about a classic tuna melt sandwich. 

Perfectly made tuna salad on crusty sourdough bread, topped with a thick slice of ripe tomato and melty cheese. One bite and you’ll be smiling like a kid again!  

One of the biggest mysteries of my life has been how my mom makes the best tuna salad on the planet. The entire family is perplexed! There’s something about how my mom mixes a can of tuna and mayonnaise that comes out more delicious than if anyone else does it.

She says she doesn’t add any secret ingredients, that it’s just tuna and mayo. I’m still not sure if I believe her, but regardless, I grew up on the best tuna fish recipe in the world. 

And this is the best tuna melt sandwich recipe you’re going to find – I promise! We’re making it open faced on toasty sourdough with thick slices of tomato, just like the kind I grew up on.

Enjoy this sandwich for lunch or dinner – it hits every time! 

Ingredients

• Canned tuna packed in water
• Mayonnaise
• Sweet relish
• Tomato
• Provolone cheese
• Sourdough bread

How to Make a Tuna Melt Sandwich

Make the Tuna Salad

Start by draining the cans of tuna. My mom says her secret is squeezing as much liquid out of the cans as possible.

Then, put the tuna into a mixing bowl and flake it into smaller pieces using a fork. 

Stir in the mayo and sweet relish and you’re done. 

Assemble the Sandwich

Grab a slice of bread and top it with some of the tuna salad. Press the tuna down so it stays in place.

Then, layer a slice of tomato followed by a slice of cheese on top. 

Make it Melt

Place the open-faced sandwiches into the oven and allow the cheese to melt and turn a golden brown.

I like to cook tuna melts until the cheese turns dark brown around the edges. So yummy! 

Serving Suggestions

This classic tuna melt recipe pairs perfectly with simple, comforting sides. Here are some ideas:

• Crispy French fries or sweet potato fries
• Creamy potato salad, coleslaw or macaroni salad
• Tangy dill pickles
• Crunchy kettle cooked potato chips

Variations

Try these ideas for customizing your open-faced sandwiches:

• The tuna: I recommend using solid white tuna packed in water for this recipe. However, light tuna is very tasty as well! If you prefer the flavor of light tuna, go for it. Just make sure it’s packed in water and not in oil. 
• The relish: I love the little bit of sweetness the pickle relish imparts, but if you prefer more of a tang, replace it with an equal amount of Dijon mustard.
• The toppings: Have fun with this! Maybe a slice of red onion, a few strips of crispy bacon, some roasted red peppers or a drizzle of BBQ sauce will light your fire. 
• The cheese: There are a whole lot of cheese options out there that go great on a tuna melt. Try American cheese, mild cheddar or creamy havarti.
• The bread: There is nothing better than good sliced sourdough bread for a sandwich! That said, I have had tuna melts on English muffins or French bread (think French bread pizza) that were pretty good. 
• Make a whole sandwich: If you prefer a whole sandwich, add another slice of bread on top of the cheese and cook the sandwich like you would a good grilled cheese sandwich – in a cast iron or other nonstick pan. 

Alternative Cooking Methods

Air Fryer: Carefully place your assembled tuna melts in the basket of your air fryer and cook for 5-10 minutes at 375F degrees.

Toaster Oven: Follow the same instructions as for a conventional oven. They’re in the recipe card below. 

Stove Top: Grab your favorite frying pan (cast iron is a perfect pan for this), butter the bottom of your bread (Kerry Gold butter is my favorite) and grill your sandwich until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted. 

Storage

For best results, store the sandwich components separately. If you have leftover tuna salad, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

If you do have assembled tuna melts left over, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil and store them in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or in a skillet over medium heat.

Tips for a Perfect Tuna Melt Sandwich

• Squeeze as much moisture out of the tuna as possible. The best tuna fish salad recipe is the one that starts with super dry tuna!
• Use thick, sturdy slices of bread so your sandwich holds up.
• If using a pan or skillet, cook low and slow over medium heat so that the cheese melts evenly.

What’s the Best Cheese to Put on a Tuna Melt Sandwich?

The gold standard is American cheese – it melts beautifully and gives you that nostalgic diner flavor.

Other great options include:

• Sharp cheddar for a stronger bite
• Swiss for a nutty, mellow flavor
• Provolone for smooth meltability
• Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top whatever other cheese you use adds a salty finish that’s super yummy.

When you try this tuna melt sandwich recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy! 

For more pescatarian recipes, try these:

• Honey Butter Old Bay Salmon Recipe
• Best Fish Tacos Recipe with Chili Lime Crema
• Best Po Boy Sandwich with Lobster Tail 

For more sandwich recipes, try these:

• Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
• Best Italian Chicken Cutlet Sandwich
• Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt