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two of the best tuna melts stacked together on as wooden cutting board
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The Ultimate Tuna Melt

The best tuna melt isn't a sandwich at your local diner or deli, but this version you can make at home! Featuring perfectly flavored tuna salad, thinly sliced sourdough bread and melty Havarti cheese, you'll never need to order this comforting sandwich out again.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Sandwich
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 740kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 12 oz can albacore tuna in water drained
  • 1 5 oz can tuna in water drained
  • 2 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 packed tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 1 1/2 tbsp chopped chives
  • 2 tsp dried tarragon
  • 2 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • pinch lemon zest
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 8 slices Havarti cheese
  • 8 slices sour dough bread thinly sliced from a fresh loaf
  • 2 tbsp melted butter for toasting

Instructions

  • Add the tuna and all seasonings to a mixing bowl. Stir together until the fish is broken up and everything's evenly combined. Set aside.
  • Baste the outsides of the bread evenly with melted butter.
  • Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once hot place two slices of the bread buttered side down in the center of the skillet.
  • Top each bread with 1/4 of the tuna mixture, spreading it out gently to cover. Add two slices of cheese to cover each.
  • Top with the additional slice of bread facing buttered side out. Cook just until golden brown and the cheese is melted, then carefully flip and repeat.
  • Transfer to a waiting plate, and repeat until all the sandwiches are cooked.
  • Slice in half and serve warm.

Notes

  • The bread and cheese are my recommendations. You can substitute the type of each for whatever you like or have on hand.
  • Sometimes, especially in the summer when I have tons of fresh tomatoes, I add slices of fresh tomatoes on top of the tuna and under the cheese.
  • You can adjust the seasoning in the tuna to suit your tastes.

Nutrition

Calories: 740kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 1673mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 960IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 448mg | Iron: 7mg