Tuna Melt When you want a tasty, satisfying lunch, there’s nothing quite like the classic tuna melt. Fall in love all over again with this easy recipe. Share A classic tuna melt is a toasted, open-faced or closed sandwich combining savory tuna salad with melted cheese. Fall in love all over again with this easy recipe. To make a classic tuna melt, mix a 5-ounce can of drained Chicken of the Sea tuna with celery, red onion, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Spread the mixture onto toasted English muffins or bread, top with slices of cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, and broil for 1 to 2 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 5 minutes Total Time 15 minutes Servings 4 servings Key Takeaways Quick High-Protein Meal: This recipe provides 20 grams of high-quality protein per serving and takes only 20 minutes total from prep to plate. Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: The dish utilizes accessible, shelf-stable ingredients like Chicken of the Sea canned or packet wild-caught tuna combined with standard refrigerator staples. Versatile Bread and Cheese Bases: English muffins offer an optimal crunch, while classic cheeses like cheddar, Colby Jack, or Swiss melt uniformly under a standard broiler. Customizable Texture Profiles: The base recipe incorporates celery and red onion for crunch, which can be easily swapped for fennel, carrots, or diced jalapeños. Table of Contents Recipe Ingredients Ingredient Notes & Alternatives Step-by-Step Preparation Recipe Variations & Flavor Upgrades Nutritional Facts Recipe Reviews What is a classic tuna melt? A classic tuna melt is a savory, warm sandwich that features protein-rich tuna salad layered with melted cheese on toasted bread or English muffins. This popular dish serves as a fast, crowd-pleasing lunch option that upgrades a standard grilled cheese. When you want a tasty, satisfying lunch, there’s nothing quite like the classic tuna melt. Fall in love all over again with this easy recipe. This classic tuna melt is one of our most popular recipes (and with good reason!). Simple, savory, toasty and cheesy in equal measure, this fast and easy tuna melt recipe is a delicious take on a beloved American favorite. It comes together effortlessly, employs ingredients you probably already have in your pantry or fridge, and is a crowd-pleasing, protein-packed upgrade of the standard grilled cheese sandwich. Put it into your lunch rotation, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. What ingredients do you need for a classic tuna melt? The classic tuna melt requires standard pantry and refrigerator staples, structured around canned wild-caught tuna, crunchy vegetables, a binding agent, and melting cheese. These components balance texture, savory notes, and acidity perfectly. The essential ingredients for a classic tuna melt include 5 ounces of canned tuna, chopped celery, minced red onion, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, black pepper, English muffins or sliced bread, softened butter, and 4 to 8 slices of melting cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack. Recipe Ingredients List 1 (5 oz) can tuna, lightly drained 1/2 cup minced celery 1 Tablespoon minced red onion 2 1/2 Tablespoons mayo 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice Freshly ground black pepper 2 English muffins, split, or 4 slices of bread 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, softened 4-8 slices cheese How do you select the best ingredients for your tuna melt? Choosing the right ingredients involves balancing structural integrity, moisture control, and melting properties. Selecting premium wild-caught tuna and high-melt cheeses ensures an optimal culinary result. Which canned tuna works best? Pick whatever type of wild caught tuna fish you like best for your tuna melt sandwich—albacore tuna (white tuna), light tuna, in cans or packets—as long as you have about 5 oz total. Tuna in water is the more traditional choice, but tuna in oil tastes great too. What are the best melting cheeses? It’s not officially a tuna melt without the melted cheese! Jack or cheddar cheese are both classic options (they melt like a dream), and there’s a place in our hearts for American cheese too. Provolone, swiss, mozzarella, and Havarti are also excellent melters, and each brings its own subtle flavor spin. Which bread holds up best to tuna salad? We prefer English muffins for their irresistible mixture of softness and crunch, but you can also use any bread you like: sourdough, white, wheat, rye—the list goes on. What are the ideal vegetable mix-ins? Celery brings its signature crunch to tuna melts or tuna salads, while red onions provide a piquant bite and vibrant color. Carrot or fennel are also worthy, crunchy substitutions. Yellow, white, or green onions work just as well and taste just as good. Minced or crushed garlic is always a great add-in, if that’s your thing. How much mayonnaise should you use? A few tablespoons of mayonnaise helps to keep everything unified. If you’re using tuna packed in oil, consider reducing your mayo to avoid excess oiliness. How do you make a classic tuna melt step-by-step? Making a tuna melt involves mixing the seasoned tuna salad base, prepping the toasted bread foundation, assembling the layers evenly, and broiling until the cheese melts completely. The entire process executes efficiently within 20 minutes. To make a tuna melt, preheat the broiler and mix the tuna, celery, onion, and mayonnaise. Next, toast and butter your English muffins or bread, spread the tuna mixture evenly on top, cover with cheese, and broil for 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown. Step-by-Step Instructions 1. Preheat the broiler. In a bowl, stir together the tuna, celery, onion, and mayonnaise with a fork until well blended. Season with pepper to taste and set aside. 2. Toast the muffin halves until golden and then lightly butter, if desired. If you’re using bread, butter both sides and heat in a nonstick pan until both sides are crispy. 3. Divide the tuna mixture among the 4 muffins or bread, spreading evenly to cover. 4. Top each sandwich with cheese and broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown. What are the best recipe variations and flavor upgrades? You can upgrade your classic tuna melt by modifying the textural elements, introducing heat elements, or integrating bright acids and complex condiment spreads. These additions allow you to adapt the meal to specific taste profiles. How can you diversify your crunch? Celery is the iconic vegetable accompaniment in tuna melts, but finely minced bell pepper, fennel, and carrots add textural interest (either in place of or in addition to celery), and all stand up well to the heat. For even more crunch, try adding iceberg lettuce or potato chips! How do you spice up a tuna melt? Want your melt to come with an extra kick? Sub out your black pepper for diced jalapeño (remember to take out the seeds unless you like it extra-fiery), or use a pepper jack cheese. How do you play with different flavor profiles? Dijon mustard can add extra zing to your tuna melt (add it in when you’re mixing your tuna with celery and mayo), as can pickle relish or briny capers. A dash of red wine vinegar can add a zesty brightness to the mix. Why stop with one type of cheese? Double up for twice the fun—we think cheddar and provolone make a particularly excellent combo. Where to Buy This tuna melt recipe uses canned tuna. Use our product locator to find Chicken of the Sea canned tuna online or in a store near you. Products Buy Now Buy Now Buy Now Frequently Asked Questions What goes on a tuna melt other than cheese? While our classic tuna melt is topped with cheese and cheese alone, a thick slice of ripe tomato can be a juicy and welcome addition. What’s the best bread for a tuna melt? Lots of breads can work! In addition to English muffins, we like the tanginess of sourdough bread, the throwback simplicity of white Pullman bread, or the robustness of rye. What’s the best substitute for mayo in a tuna melt? A good extra-virgin olive oil can be an excellent, clean-flavored mayonnaise substitute (though your tuna might not bind together quite as neatly), or swap in your favorite vinaigrette. Is the tuna in a tuna melt supposed to be hot? Yes, the tuna in a tuna melt is typically hot. The sandwich is usually grilled or broiled, so the tuna, along with the cheese, is heated to create a warm, melted filling. What are the nutrition facts for a tuna melt? A single serving of a classic tuna melt delivers a nutritionally balanced profile high in dietary protein and essential minerals like calcium. It provides an efficient way to meet daily macro and micro targets. A standard serving of this classic tuna melt contains 365 calories, 20 grams of high-quality protein, 18 grams of carbohydrates, and 23.6 grams of fat. It also provides essential micronutrients, including 35% of your daily value for calcium and 7% for vitamin D. Nutrition Facts Calories: 365 kcal | Carbohydrates: 18 g | Protein: 20 g | Fat: 23.6 g | Sodium: 1,135 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 5 g | Cholesterol: 50 mg | Vitamin D: 7% | Calcium: 35% | Iron: 7% | Potassium: 7% Sources Chicken of the Sea Product Kitchen Records U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) FoodData Central Standardized Nutritional Standards Recipe Reviews