Spicy Tuna Melt Sandwich (Printer View)

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

# Components:

→ 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 chopped fresh parsley
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

# Method:

01 - Combine drained tuna, mayonnaise, sriracha, Dijon mustard, celery, red onion, parsley, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until evenly incorporated.
02 - Lay out all sourdough bread slices and butter one side of each slice evenly.
03 - Place 4 bread slices unbuttered side up. Divide spicy tuna salad evenly among them. Top each with shredded cheese and tomato slices.
04 - Cover each prepared slice with remaining bread slices with buttered side facing outward.
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 each sandwich in half diagonally, and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns pantry staples into something that tastes like you put real thought into lunch.
  • The spicy tuna salad stays good in the fridge for days, so you can make melts whenever the craving hits.
  • That crispy butter toasted sourdough with gooey cheese creates the kind of texture contrast that makes you slow down and savor it.
  • Its flexible enough to dial up or down the heat depending on who youre feeding.
02 -
  • Drain the tuna really well, extra moisture will make your bread soggy and the salad watery.
  • Dont crank the heat too high on the skillet or the bread will burn before the cheese melts, medium heat is your friend here.
  • Softened butter spreads without tearing the bread, cold butter will frustrate you and leave bare spots.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently with the spatula while it cooks to help the cheese melt evenly and the layers stick together.
  • If youre making multiple sandwiches, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you cook the rest.
  • Taste your tuna salad before you build the sandwiches, its easier to adjust seasoning then than after everything is melted together.
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