Spicy Tuna Melt Sandwich (Printable Version)

Zesty tuna salad with sriracha kick, melted cheddar, and crispy 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

# Directions:

01 - Combine drained tuna, mayonnaise, sriracha, Dijon mustard, celery, red onion, parsley, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Blend until evenly incorporated.
02 - Arrange sourdough slices and spread softened butter on one side of each slice.
03 - Place 4 bread slices unbuttered side up. Distribute spicy tuna salad evenly among them. Top each with shredded cheese and tomato slices.
04 - Cap each sandwich with remaining bread slices, buttered side facing outward.
05 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook 3-4 minutes per side, applying gentle pressure, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes twenty minutes from start to finish, which means you can make lunch without losing your entire afternoon.
  • The combination of creamy tuna, spicy sriracha, and gooey melted cheese hits every comfort food craving at once.
  • You probably already have most of these ingredients sitting in your pantry and fridge right now.
  • It works just as well for a quick weeknight dinner as it does for a weekend brunch with friends.
02 -
  • Drain the tuna really well by pressing it with a fork or paper towel, because extra water will make your tuna salad watery and the sandwich soggy.
  • Use medium heat, not high, or the bread will burn before the cheese has a chance to melt properly.
  • Let the butter soften at room temperature for at least fifteen minutes so it spreads easily without tearing the bread.
03 -
  • Press the sandwiches gently with your spatula while they cook to help the cheese melt faster and the layers stick together.
  • If your skillet isnt big enough for all four sandwiches, cook them in batches and keep the finished ones warm in a low oven.
  • Make the tuna salad the night before and store it in the fridge so you can assemble and cook the sandwiches even faster the next day.
Go Back