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Fish, Americas

Tuna melt with green salad

A tuna melt is a hot sandwich filled with tuna salad and melted cheddar, served with a green salad, for 4 people in 20 minutes. It's a very easy recipe, costing €2.40 per person. The key is buttering the outside of the bread for a golden crust, and draining the tuna thoroughly so the sandwich doesn't turn soggy.

Tonight, a quick dinner straight from American diners, the tuna melt, a hot tuna sandwich oozing with melted cheddar.

Tuna melt with green salad
Total time
20 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.40
Calories per person
610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

A tuna melt is the classic hot sandwich straight from American diners. Between two slices of golden bread, tuna salad meets melted cheddar, with just enough celery and red onion for crunch and freshness. A splash of lemon juice brightens everything up and keeps the filling from feeling heavy.

This is an ideal weeknight dinner when you're short on time but still want something warm and comforting. Kids love the stretchy melted cheese, and adults appreciate how fast it comes together. The green salad on the side adds just enough lightness to balance the meal without any extra effort.

The ingredients

4 people

Bakery

  • Sandwich bread 8 slices

Pantry

  • Canned tuna in wateroften in the pantry 2 can
  • Light mayonnaiseoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Vinaigretteoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Celery stalk 1
  • Red onion 0.5
  • Lemon 0.5
  • Green salad 1

Dairy

  • Sliced cheddar 8 slices
  • Butter 30 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs, Fish

The step by step recipe

  1. Drain the tuna well and flake it with the mayonnaise, chopped celery and onion, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

    Press the tuna with a fork right in the can to squeeze out all the water.

  2. Butter one side of each slice of bread.

    Use softened butter so it spreads without tearing the bread.

  3. On the unbuttered side, spread the tuna and lay two slices of cheddar on top.

    Spread the tuna all the way to the edges so every bite has cheese.

  4. Close with a second slice, buttered side facing out, and cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden. 8 min

    Press down gently with a spatula so the cheese melts better.

  5. Cut on the diagonal and serve with the dressed green salad.

    Cut while it's still hot so the cheese oozes out nicely.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a cheddar that melts well, aged but not too dry, so the center of the sandwich turns truly gooey.
  • Cook over medium heat, not higher, so the bread browns while the cheese has time to melt all the way through.
  • Mix the tuna filling a bit ahead and let it rest in the fridge for a few minutes, the flavors blend better that way.

The variations

  • Swap the tuna for flaked surimi or shredded chicken for a different flavor while keeping the same melty texture.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the tuna with mashed white beans mixed with a little mustard and the same vegetables.
  • For kids in a hurry, cut the sandwich into small triangles and serve the salad on the side as a snack.

What to serve it with

  • A light vegetable soup starter
  • Chips for the diner feel
  • Homemade sparkling lemonade

Storage

The tuna filling keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, but the assembled sandwich is best eaten right away. If you have leftover cooked sandwiches, reheat them in a skillet over low heat to bring back the crispness, since the microwave makes the bread soggy.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the tuna filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it up to a day ahead and store it in the fridge in a sealed container. Assemble and cook the sandwiches only at the last minute to keep the bread crisp.

What bread works if you don't have sandwich bread?

Thinly sliced country bread works well too, as long as it isn't too thick. The key is that the slices brown evenly without burning before the cheese melts.

Can you swap the cheddar for another cheese?

Yes, Swiss or Gruyere also melt beautifully and give a milder flavor. Avoid cheeses that are too dry, since they won't melt enough for this recipe.

How do you keep the sandwich from getting soggy?

Drain the tuna very thoroughly, pressing it with a fork right in the can. Leftover water is the main reason a sandwich softens too quickly.

How long does it take to make a tuna melt with a green salad?

Count 20 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a tuna melt with a green salad?

About 610 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a tuna melt with a green salad cost?

About €2.40 per serving, or €9.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs, fish. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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