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    Home » Grocer to Table » Best Damn Grilled Tuna and Cheese

    Best Damn Grilled Tuna and Cheese

    Posted on November 11, 2021 By Beth Neels

    136 shares
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Tuna Melt Pinterest Pin with text overlay
    Tuna Melt Pinterest Pin with text overlay
    Tuna Melt Pinterest Pin with text overlay

    No kidding! The best damn grilled tuna and cheese sandwich you will ever eat! Tuna and Cheese is done is less than 20 minutes!

    close up of grilled tuna and cheese sandwich, showing all of the vegetables in it

    Ok, so I know what you are thinking. Has this woman lost her mind?

    Anyone can make a grilled tuna and cheese sandwich, otherwise known as a tuna melt! I know that a grilled cheese sandwich is not rocket science, but this is the best damn tuna salad you will ever eat!

    We have an easy sandwich for dinner a few times a month. They are great, when you have had a busy day! They are also so tasty, and delicious!

    grilled tuna and cheese on brioche on white plate with chips and carrot and celery sticks

    This classic tuna melt sandwich is great for a super easy weeknight dinner or for a nice weekend lunch!

    As with most grilled sandwiches, it is done in less than half an hour. This is also packed with veges so there’s no need to make a salad!

    What you need for a tuna melt

    • tuna
    • mayonnaise
    • carrot
    • celery
    • chives, scallions or green onion, shallots or white or red onion
    • celery seed
    • freshly cracked black pepper
    • quality bread
    • butter or mayonnaise for the outside of the sandwich
    Ingredients used to make tuna melt on board
    • cheese
    • soft or melted butter.
    cheese, melted butter and bread on board.

    How to make Grilled Tuna and Cheese

    1. Mix ingredients for tuna salad in medium bowl.
    2. Brush one side of bread with melted butter. Place in pan over medium heat.
    3. When first side is golden, reduce heat and flip.
    4. Top with thick cut cheese.
    5. Add tuna salad to the top of cheese.
    Tuna salad mixed up. Brushing butter on bread. Toasting 1st side. Toasted side up. Added cheese to bread. Tuna added on top of cheese.

    Top tuna with toasted side of the second piece of bread. Cover pan with lid, so the cheese melts nicely. Turn the burner on medium heat. Usually when you stop hearing the bread sizzling, the bread is nicely browned and ready to flip over.

    Keep a close eye on them so that they do not burn. Carefully flip over so that you don’t lose ingredients.

    Tuna topped with cheese. Second slice of buttered bread added to sandwich.

    Health Benefits of Tuna and Celery Seed

    Canned tuna contains high-quality protein, selenium and potassium, not to mention the Omega-3 fatty acids and B complex vitamins! Make sure that you buy tuna which is line caught, to help protect the dolphin populations!

    Also canned tuna has been shown to contain mercury, which is a heavy metal. Make sure you buy light tuna, rather than white tuna, as that has been shown to contain lower amounts of mercury.

    Celery Seed, as well, has been shown to have multiple health benefits! Celery seed has been shown to help reduce blood pressure, improve cognitive function and improve joint function.

    The Secrets to the Best Damn Grilled Tuna Sandwich

    • Use high quality, sustainably caught, tuna fish, either canned in water or vacuum packed.
    • Use a good quality mayonnaise, not salad dressing.
    • Quite a bit of celery seed is important.
    • A good quality bread is essential, either home made or store bought.
    • Toast bread on both sides so that it stays crispy.
    • You can substitute the butter for mayonnaise on the outside of the slices of bread. This will give a great crust as well and it’s easier to spread.
    • When you hear the bread stop sizzling, it is the usually the perfect golden brown
    Tuna topped with cheese. Second slice of buttered bread added to sandwich.

    What type of bread to use for your tuna melt

    You can really use your favorite bread for these tuna melts. Some of our favorites are;

    • brioche
    • zucchini cheese bread
    • rye bread
    • wheat bread
    • sourdough bread
    photograph of sliced zucchini, green onion, cheesy quick bread, use to make tuan and grilled cheese sandwiches

    What to serve it with

    You can serve your sandwiches with your favorite sides. Some of our favorites are;

    • julienned carrots and celery
    • beet chips or any other chips you like
    • french fries
    • onion rings
    • side salad
    • tomato soup
    • garnish with a pickle spear or pickle slices

    Other delicious sandwiches

    • Reuben sandwich
    • Leftover turkey sandwich
    • Spicy grilled cheese
    grilled tuna and cheese with carrots and celery

    I hope you like the recipe today for the Best Damn Tuna and Cheese Sandwich!

    Also, don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest!

    Tools I Use to Make The Best Damn Tuna Salad Grilled Cheese

    Contains affiliate links, for full disclosure, see FTC Disclosure, here.

    • Frying Pan
    • Spatula
    • Whole Celery Seed

    Leave a comment below and let me know how you like your tuna melts!

    Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter, so that you don’t miss any new recipes!

    Enjoy! And have fun cooking!

    Tuna melt with dripping cheese and pickle garnish.

    Best Damn Grilled Tuna & Cheese

    Easy delicious for lunch or an easy dinner! 
    See Step by Step Photos Above!Most of our recipes have step by step photos and videos! Also helpful tips so that you can make it perfectly the first time and every time! Scroll up to see them!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sandwich
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 sandwiches
    Calories: 593kcal
    Author: Beth Neels
    Cost: $6

    Ingredients

    • 2 cans tuna fish packed in water
    • 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon chives snipped, fresh
    • 1/2 cup carrot, diced
    • 1/2 cup celery, diced
    • 2 teaspoons celery seed
    • 8 slices cheddar cheese
    • 8 slices bread of your choice
    • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

    Instructions

    • Mix all ingredients together, except for bread, butter and cheese.
    • Thinly and evenly spread softened butter on slices of bread, on both sides. Or melt butter and brush on.
    • Place 2 pieces of bread, buttered side down in a frying pan over medium heat. Toast on first side and then flip to second side.
    • Top bread with 2 slices cheese, then top cheese with 1/4 of the tuna mixture. 
    • Place second piece of bread on top of the sandwich, with buttered side up, toasted side towards tuna. Place sandwiches in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Top pan with lid so that cheese melts nicely.
    • When sandwiches are golden brown, carefully flip with spatula, so you don't lose ingredients. Be careful not to burn the bread. 
    • Repeat until you have 4 sandwiches.
    • Let cool slightly before serving.
    • Can be kept warm in the oven on low heat, until all sandwiches are toasted.
    cast iron frying pan 8″
    mixing bowls
    See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!

    Video

    Notes

    When you hear the sizzling stop in the pan, it indicates that the sandwich is ready to flip.
    Best if eaten fresh.
    Tuna can be refrigerated 1 day.
    Do not freeze.
    See post above for bread and accompaniment suggestions.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 593kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 997mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5785IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 528mg | Iron: 4.4mg
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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you go to the link and purchase something, at no additional cost to you. See FTC Disclosure, here.

    « Wild Duck Recipe with Blueberry Sauce
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    136 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. June

      November 18, 2021 at 8:49 pm

      5 stars
      I would only add sliced tomato to make it better

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        November 19, 2021 at 10:53 am

        I like sliced tomato on it too! Thanks for checking out the recipe June!

        Reply
    2. Kushigalu

      June 13, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      5 stars
      One of the best and my favorite sandwich combo. So delicious

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        June 13, 2020 at 2:33 pm

        Thanks Kushigalu. I appreciate that. Have a nice weekend!

        Reply
    3. Jersey Girl Cooks

      June 13, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      I love a good tuna melt! This one is terrific!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        June 13, 2020 at 2:32 pm

        Thanks so much Jersey Girl! Have a nice weekend!

        Reply
    4. Cate

      June 13, 2020 at 1:04 pm

      Yum!!! I used to make these all the time as a kid, and this version looks so fancy and delicious! Saving to make soon!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        June 13, 2020 at 1:17 pm

        We love them, but it does remind you of being a kid!

        Reply
    5. Biana

      June 13, 2020 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      My goodness, this sandwich looks amazing!! I will have to make it soon, looks perfect for lunch or dinner.

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        June 13, 2020 at 1:17 pm

        Thanks Biana. Enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Val P-J

      April 21, 2020 at 10:22 pm

      5 stars
      Great tuna sandwich!!! During this virus pandemic and shelter in home, there’s no running out to the grocery store for missing ingredients. Sooo, I didn’t have shallots nor celery, but I had onions and carrots! It was STILL delicious! Thanks so much for the recipe! I’ve shared it with my sister-in-law too! My daughter is vegetarian, so grilled cheese with sautéed veggies for her and her hubby!😀 Stay safe and well!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        April 22, 2020 at 12:22 pm

        Aw! Thanks for letting me know! I am so glad you liked it! It is tough out there. I don’t even want to go out to the store! Stay safe!

        Reply
        • Priya

          June 13, 2020 at 11:13 am

          5 stars
          This tuna cheese sandwich looks absolutely delicious 😋 I would love to make it for my family

          Reply
          • Beth Neels

            June 13, 2020 at 1:18 pm

            It’s so good and so easy! Thanks Priya!

            Reply
    7. Sarah @ Champagne Tastes

      April 12, 2017 at 7:22 pm

      5 stars
      You’re on a tuna-kick Beth! This sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • Binky

        April 12, 2017 at 7:55 pm

        I totally had a tuna kick going last week! I go through spurts. I won’t eat it for 6 months and then I have to have it!!! Usually for 4 or 5 days! Cheap and easy! Yeah! Thanks Sarah!

        Reply
    8. Brandi Crawford

      April 12, 2017 at 7:13 pm

      5 stars
      This looks absolutely amazing! Your recipes are inspiring me to eat more tuna!

      Reply
      • Binky

        April 12, 2017 at 7:56 pm

        5 stars
        I know! Like Sarah from @champagnetastes says, I’m on a tuna kick!! Thanks Brandi!

        Reply
    9. Christina | Christina's Cucina

      April 12, 2017 at 6:55 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never had tuna and cheese together, but now that I think about it, I’ve never had hot tuna before! I love grilled cheese, though!

      Reply
      • Binky

        April 12, 2017 at 6:57 pm

        Wow! It really must an American thing! You have to be the first in Europe to give it a try Christina!

        Reply
    10. Cindy Gordon

      April 12, 2017 at 3:09 pm

      5 stars
      I honestly have to say, I’ve never grilled a tuna sandwich before nor have I tried one with cheese! It sounds and looks like a winner!

      Reply
      • Binky

        April 12, 2017 at 5:41 pm

        It’s really crazy good! I can’t believe you have never one. It must be a US thing! Every Greek diner in America has them on the menu!

        Reply
    11. Raia Todd

      April 12, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness… That sandwich looks delicious! Especially with that cheese dripping off the edge. 😉

      Reply

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    Welcome! Thanks for stopping by! I am Beth "Binky" Neels, wife, mother of 2 boys and 3 dogs! I will impart tips and tricks I have learned over the years, to make cooking easier and fun for you!

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    Welcome! Thanks for stopping by! I am Beth "Binky" Neels, wife, mother of 2 boys and 3 dogs! I will impart tips and tricks I have learned over the years, to make cooking easier and fun for you!

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