Ultimate Tuna Melt Sandwich (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Tuna Salad
01 -
1 small red onion, finely chopped
02 -
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
03 -
½ cup mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie)
04 -
⅓ cup finely chopped dill
05 -
1 Tbsp. drained capers or chopped pickled jalapeños
06 -
1 Tbsp. brine from capers or pickled jalapeños
07 -
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
08 -
1 7-oz. jar oil-packed tuna fillets or one and a half 5-oz. cans oil-packed tuna, drained
09 -
Freshly ground pepper
→ Sandwich Assembly
10 -
2 Tbsp. butter, room temperature
11 -
8 slices Pullman or sourdough bread
12 -
4 slices American cheese or sharp cheddar
→ To Serve
13 -
Dill pickles
14 -
Kettle-style potato chips (preferably Cape Cod)
15 -
Hot sauce (preferably Frank’s)
# Instructions:
01 -
In a medium bowl, mix finely chopped red onion, celery, mayonnaise, dill, capers or jalapeños, brine, and lemon juice until combined. Add drained oil-packed tuna and break up with a fork. Season with freshly ground pepper and salt to taste, adding up to 1 Tbsp. brine if needed.
02 -
Spread butter evenly over one side of each bread slice. Place buttered side down on 4 slices; top each with 1 slice of cheese and a portion of the tuna mixture. Close sandwiches with remaining 4 slices of bread, buttered side up.
03 -
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, place sandwiches in the skillet, cheese side down. Cook, pressing down with a spatula, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 4 minutes per side. If using cheddar, cover the pan after flipping to ensure the cheese melts.
04 -
Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board and slice in half. Serve with dill pickles, kettle-style chips, and hot sauce.