Crispy Tuna Melt Sandwich (Print Version)

Buttery, griddled sandwiches filled with creamy tuna, melted cheese and tangy pickles — warm comfort in 20 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tuna Salad

01 - 2 (5-oz) cans tuna in water, drained
02 - 1/4 cup 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 freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Sandwich Assembly

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

# How to Make:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine drained tuna, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped red onion, celery and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and stir until evenly incorporated.
02 - Lay 4 bread slices on a work surface. Place a slice of cheese on each, then divide the tuna mixture evenly among them. Top each with dill pickle slices and a second slice of cheese.
03 - Cap each sandwich with the remaining bread slices to form 4 sandwiches, pressing gently to compact the filling.
04 - Spread softened butter evenly over the outside of both faces of each sandwich to ensure even browning during cooking.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches buttered-side down and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
06 - Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board, let rest 1 minute, then slice in half and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This sandwich delivers the satisfying crunch and gooey cheese of childhood grilled favorites with a grown up twist.
  • The tuna salad is quick to whip up yet feels like a special lunch treat every time.
02 -
  • Once I rushed and cranked the heat, only to end up with burnt bread and cold cheese—slow and steady wins the race here.
  • Learning to really drain the tuna and dry the pickles keeps the sandwich from getting unpleasantly soggy, especially if you love extra filling.
03 -
  • If you walk away for even a minute, check the bottom—they brown fast when you least expect it.
  • Pressing the sandwiches gently with a spatula ensures the filling glues to the bread without squeezing out the cheese.
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