Spicy Tuna Melt Sandwich (Printable View)

Classic comfort sandwich with spicy tuna salad, melted cheddar, and toasted sourdough bread. Perfect for lunch or dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Spicy Tuna Salad

01 - 2 cans tuna in water, 5 oz each, drained
02 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
03 - 1 tablespoon sriracha or hot sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
05 - 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
06 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
08 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Sandwich Assembly

09 - 8 slices sourdough bread
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
11 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced

# How To Make It:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine drained tuna, mayonnaise, sriracha, Dijon mustard, celery, red onion, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly incorporated.
02 - Lay out sourdough bread slices and butter one side of each slice.
03 - Flip 4 slices so the unbuttered side faces up. Divide spicy tuna salad evenly among them. Top each with shredded cheese and tomato slices.
04 - Cover each base with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outward.
05 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms humble canned tuna into something indulgent and craveable with just a few pantry ingredients.
  • The spicy kick wakes up your taste buds while the melted cheese keeps everything comforting and familiar.
  • Ready in twenty minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekend lunches.
  • Endlessly adaptable to your heat preference and whatever cheese you have on hand.
02 -
  • Drain the tuna completely and press out excess moisture or your filling will be watery and slide out of the sandwich.
  • Use medium heat for toasting, too high and the bread burns before the cheese melts, too low and it turns greasy.
  • Softened butter spreads more easily and crisps more evenly than cold butter that tears the bread.
03 -
  • Press the sandwiches gently with your spatula while cooking to help the cheese melt faster and create better contact with the pan.
  • Toast the bread in batches if your skillet is not large enough, crowding causes uneven browning and steaming instead of crisping.
  • Let the sandwiches rest for a minute after cooking so the cheese sets slightly and doesn't ooze out when you slice them.
Go Back