How to Make Better Tuna Melt Sandwiches

Baker's Notes (November 26, 2024)

I'm updating this.

As of this writing, we will always have a homemade bread mix for only $2.99. It's the sign of the times. Check the specials.

We recommend our Country Farm White Bread for $2.99. It's our most popular sandwich loaf and less than a decent loaf in the store.

 Homemade bread is very different than store bread. It tastes better, fuller and plumper. It's not loaded with chemicals and preservatives. It's better and better for you.

And the selection is much better. You can choose breads that you would never find in the store. And you make it--for those you love.

Dennis Weaver

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My mother made a cheese and tuna melt sandwich—nothing fancy but better than either tuna or cheese alone.  Her sandwiches inspired these recipes.

Tuna melt sandwiches are an important part of your kitchen arsenal. With melted cheese and tuna that isn't the least bit fishy on great bread, they make a fine  meal. You'll find that your family welcomes them, that they don't take long, and it may not matter, but they're affordable. If your family can't quite embrace tuna, use canned chicken.

Build them the way your family likes. Help them fall in love with tuna melts.

This recipe calls for tuna but it works with any fish, even canned or cooked salmon--or canned chicken. 

You can choose your favorite cheese. 

But you can also consider variations like these:

• Most of the time I just slap a deli slice of cheese on top of the tuna. Both Merri Ann and my mother often grated the cheese and then mixed the cheese into the tuna salad or piled grated cheese on top of the tuna, like in the sandwich right above.  
• I love tomato on my sandwiches.  Tomato goes very well on top of the tuna and with the melted cheese.  Pull the hot sandwich apart to insert the tomato. See the billboard image above.
• And of course, the tuna salad can handle extras: chopped onions, watercress, chopped green peppers, celery, relish and/or pickles. 
• I often use ranch dressing with the mayo. Don't forget the pepper and salt. It makes a difference.

See also how to make spectacular grilled cheese sandwiches.

Ingredients

1 tin of tuna, well drained and crumbled
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoon sweet relish
2 green onions, chopped (optional)
1 stalk celery, finely chopped (optional)
fresh ground black pepper to taste
salt to taste
1 slice cheese, mozzarella or other, for each sandwich
bread
butter

Directions

1. Mix the tuna, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chopped onion, and celery together with a fork.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Spread on bread slices.  Add a slice of cheese. Top with additional slices of bread.
2. Spread butter on both sides of the sandwich and grill in a moderately hot skillet, turning once, until the bread is fried to a golden brown and the cheese is melted. I usually put a lid over the top of the frying pan or over sandwich on the griddle to get the cheese melting sooner.