An elevated classic, these Spicy Tuna Melts are equally delicious as they are nostalgic. Crisp and toasty bread topped with spicy tuna salad and broiled cheddar cheese makes for the ultimate tuna melt situation.
Growing up, I always loved a classic tuna melt for lunch. There’s just something about the bread, cheese, tuna combination that’s absolutely drool-worthy. So of course I now had to add some “grown-up” flair with spicy jalapenos, cornichons, and crisp vegetables.
For another delicious and healthy tuna recipe, check out these Stovetop Tuna Patties. Loaded with texture and spice, these patties are super tasty when dipped in the creamy cilantro lime sauce or as a side to another meal!
Ingredients in Spicy Tuna Melts
Tuna – I always go for a high-quality tuna brand to ensure it is eco-friendly and better for sea life. Wild Planet is my favorite for canned tuna and salmon.
Celery & Carrots – Crunchy and fresh vegetables to add texture and flavor to this tuna salad.
Cornichons – A fancy type of pickle that’s tiny and tasty. Cornichons are just like pickles but they’re about 2 inches long, more tart, and have a really crisp texture. You can substitute for regular dill pickles if needed.
Mayo – My favorite mayo brand is Primal Kitchen because they use avocado oil + cage-free, organic eggs. It’s great if you’re wanting a healthier twist on classic mayo but if not, any brand will work!
Jalapeno – Adds the spicy kick to these tuna melts. Thinly sliced jalapeno is best so it doesn’t become overpowering in spicy flavor.
Bread – If you’re gluten-free I recommend the brands Canyon Bakehouse and Simple Kneads for the best texture & flavor.
Cheese – For the classic tuna melt flavor make sure to use classic cheddar cheese. If you need a dairy-free option, I recommend Daiya or So Delicious. Otherwise, use any brand your local stores carry!
How to Make Cheesy Tuna Melts
1. Combine all ingredients for the tuna salad together in a large bowl. Stir together until smooth and evenly combined.
2. Optional: toast your bread slices beforehand either in the oven (coat with olive oil on both sides and bake at 350F for 5 minutes) or with a toaster.
3. To a large baking tray, add your bread slices and top each with tuna salad, followed by 1 slice of cheddar cheese.
4. Move to the oven and broil for 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
5. Remove from the oven, and garnish with extra chopped cilantro and jalapeno slices. Enjoy!
The Best Canned Tuna
As a pescatarian, I eat a fair share of seafood. And while I love fresh fish and filets, a high-quality canned option is great for recipes like this! My go-to brand for canned tuna (or salmon) is Wild Planet. They have great morals and standards when it comes to catch technique, sourcing, and overall production.
I’d recommend their Albacore Tuna or Skipjack Tuna for this recipe. Both types of tuna are caught using 100% pole & line or the “troll caught” method to source smaller migratory tuna that’s naturally lower in mercury. Better for the ecosystem and our personal health!
More Easy and Healthy Meals
Besides the deliciousness of these tuna melts, I just also love how freaking easy & quick they are. There’s just nothing better than a simple, healthy, and tasty meal!
For more easy meals that take less than 30 minutes start to finish, check out these personal favorites.
Salmon Tacos with Jalapeno Cilantro Slaw – Spicy marinated salmon sauteed for a blackened crisp with creamy and fresh cilantro slaw, all wrapped in a warm tortilla. Easy, healthy, and oh so delicious, these salmon tacos will become a new favorite.
Tofu Green Curry Noodle Bowls – Tender rice noodles, sauteed broccoli, and crisp tofu are tossed in a creamy green curry sauce. These fresh and flavorful noodle bowls are vegan + gluten-free and take less than 30 minutes to make!
If you try any of these recipes, please let me know by leaving a comment and rating in the boxes below! I always love to hear from you and it helps other people find this recipe when they search online for the BEST Spicy Tuna Melts 🙂
Ingredients
Tuna Salad:
- 2, 5 oz cans tuna drained
- ¾ cup finely chopped celery ~2 stalks
- ¾ cup finely chopped carrots ~1 large
- ¾ cup finely chopped cup red onion ~½ large onion
- 1 jalapeño diced small
- ¼ cup cornichons diced small
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ⅓ cup mayo
- ¾ tsp salt add more to taste
- black pepper to taste
Tuna Melt:
- 8 slices bread GF if needed
- 8 cheddar cheese slices
- Garnish: chopped cilantro & jalapeno slices
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients for Tuna Salad together in a large bowl. Stir together until smooth and evenly combined.
- Optional: toast your bread slices beforehand either in the oven (coat with olive oil on both sides and bake at 350F for 5 minutes) or with a toaster.
- To a large baking tray, add your bread slices and top each with tuna salad, followed by 1 slice of cheddar cheese.
- Move to the oven and broil for 2-4 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Remove from the oven, and garnish with extra chopped cilantro and jalapeno slices. Enjoy!
Notes
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