Crispy Tuna Melt Sandwich (Printable)

Golden grilled sandwich of creamy tuna salad, melted cheese, and crisp pickles on buttery bread.

# What You Need:

→ 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 Advice:

01 -
  • You get shatteringly crisp bread with a creamy, cheesy filling—no wilted centers here.
  • This melt saves the day when you want something fast but still crave homemade comfort.
02 -
  • One time I rushed the heat and ended up with pale bread and cold cheese—medium heat is non-negotiable here.
  • Letting the assembled sandwich rest before grilling helps flavors meld and keeps the filling from spilling out.
03 -
  • Wipe out any oily bits from the skillet between batches or your second round won’t crisp up as well.
  • If the cheese isn’t melting fast enough, cover the skillet loosely with foil for a minute.
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