Crispy Tuna Melt (Printable Version)

Golden grilled sandwiches with creamy tuna salad, gooey cheese, and crunchy pickles — ready in 20 minutes.

# Components:

→ Tuna Salad

01 - 2 cans (5 oz/140 g each) tuna in water, drained
02 - 1/4 cup (60 g) mayonnaise
03 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
04 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
05 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
06 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Sandwich Assembly

08 - 8 slices sandwich bread (sourdough, rye, or white)
09 - 8 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese
10 - 8–12 dill pickle chips or slices
11 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, red onion, celery, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended.
02 - Lay out the bread slices on a clean surface. Top 4 slices with a slice of cheese, then divide the tuna salad evenly among them. Top with pickle slices and another slice of cheese.
03 - Cover with remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
04 - Spread butter evenly on the outside of each sandwich (both top and bottom).
05 - Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches, buttered side down, on the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then slice in half and serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Crispy, gooey, and just a little tangy, this sandwich delivers comfort with every bite and never gets old.
  • You can customize it endlessly: switch up cheeses, add tomatoes, or layer in more crunch—every tweak is a new favorite waiting to happen.
02 -
  • The first time I rushed it and fired the pan too hot, I burned the bread before the cheese melted—medium heat is your friend here.
  • Pressing gently with a spatula helps melt the cheese evenly without flattening everything into pancake territory.
03 -
  • Don’t skimp on the butter—the more thorough you are, the better the crust.
  • Use a mix of cheeses for layers of flavor and ultimate meltiness.
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