Spicy Tuna Melt Sandwich (Print Version)

Zesty tuna salad with a spicy kick and gooey melted cheddar on toasted sourdough. Ready in 20 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Spicy Tuna Salad

01 - 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna in water, 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 fresh parsley, chopped
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:

01 - Combine drained tuna, mayonnaise, sriracha, Dijon mustard, celery, red onion, parsley, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix until evenly incorporated.
02 - Lay out sourdough bread slices and butter one side of each slice generously.
03 - Position 4 bread slices with unbuttered side facing up. Divide spicy tuna salad evenly among each slice. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and tomato slices.
04 - Place remaining bread slices on top with buttered side facing outward, creating sealed sandwiches.
05 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in skillet and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove from heat, slice in half diagonally, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in twenty minutes with ingredients you probably already have tucked in your pantry.
  • The spicy tuna filling is creamy and bold, balanced perfectly by gooey melted cheese and crispy toasted bread.
  • You can dial the heat up or down depending on your mood or who you're feeding.
  • It's hearty enough to feel like a real meal but simple enough for a weeknight when you're too tired to think.
02 -
  • Drain the tuna really well by pressing it against the side of a strainer, or your filling will be too wet and make the bread soggy.
  • Medium heat is your friend here because too high and the bread burns before the cheese melts, too low and it just steams instead of crisping.
  • Softened butter spreads way easier than cold butter and gives you an even golden crust without tearing the bread.
03 -
  • Press the sandwiches gently with your spatula while they cook to help the cheese melt faster and create better contact with the pan for even browning.
  • Let the tuna salad sit for five minutes after mixing so the flavors have time to meld together and taste even better.
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one because it holds heat beautifully and gives you the most even, golden crust.
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