Healthy Tuna Melt

The classic tuna melt is a diner staple that starts with a simple Healthy Tuna Salad. The tuna salad is spread between slices of bread to make a sandwich, or you can keep it open-faced. As for the toppings, I like to keep it classic with some tomato slices but feel free to add whatever toppings your heart desires. Top it with cheese and let it melt!

I love making this recipe whenever I'm craving something quick and easy but still want a balanced meal or snack. You can customize this dish however you like, and I always like to make a little extra tuna salad to eat throughout the week!

Don't like tuna? Try this Mediterranean Chicken Salad, Healthy Chicken Salad, or Avocado Chicken Salad!

How do you make healthy tuna salad?

Here's the basic recipe I use to make a simple and classic tuna salad. It's lightened up with some Greek yogurt and doesn't have any bells and whistles. Just straightforward, delicious tuna.

• 15 oz canned tuna
• 1/4 cup celery, chopped
• 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp celery seed
• Directions: Mix together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Stir in the tuna and celery. Taste and season as needed. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving if possible.

Customizations to Add to the Tuna Salad

• Pickles: Adding chopped pickles to the tuna salad is a great way to infuse dill flavor and a little crunch!
• Dijon mustard: Omit the lemon juice and squeeze a little Dijon mustard into the tuna salad for a different tangy flavor.
• Onions: Add chopped red or green onions for a bit of a bite.
• Heat: Add some jalapenos to make it spicy.
• Sweetness: Add shredded or chopped carrots or sliced grapes.
• Fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like chives or dill to brighten things up.
• Greens: Add some arugula or spinach to get those greens in!

How long will tuna salad last in the fridge?

Freshly made tuna salad will last about 3-4 days in the refrigerator! The veggies may get soggy after a couple of days, though. If you want, you can store the veggies separately and add them each time you eat the salad to keep them crunchy!

What's the best bread for a tuna melt?

Any kind of bread will work for this recipe! You can use whole grain bread, rye, sourdough bread, bagels, pumpernickel, English muffins, or anything else you like.

What to Serve with Tuna Melts

There are so many options for side dishes for tuna melts - soup, salad, chips, fries, cut-up veggies, and pickles are some of the classic options that come to mind. Here are some of our favorites:

• Baked chips: Instead of reaching for a bag of potato chips, why not make these easy Baked Potato Chips? They are so good and surprisingly easy to make. These Microwave Veggie Chips are another good option.
• Soup: Since this reminds me of a grilled cheese, I always think about Roasted Tomato Basil Soup as a side dish. It's really yummy with this Spicy Roasted Tomato and Corn Soup.
• Vegetable fries: When you get this in a diner, it pretty much always comes with fries. At home, you can keep things light and healthy with these Crispy Turnip Fries or Carrot Fries!
• Salads: Add greens with a big salad like this Healthy Kale Caesar.

Tips and Recipe Ideas for Making a Healthy Tuna Melt

This is one of those recipes that can serve as a basic blueprint, and you can mix it up any way you like.

Try it out with different bread, cheese, veggies, and spices. Try making it a different type of tuna salad, like this one with egg or cranberries!

• Grilled: Start by buttering the bread on one side. Add a layer of cheese, the tuna, tomatoes, another layer of cheese, and the second piece of buttered bread. Cook in a hot skillet for 3-5 minutes per side. Flip carefully when the bread is browned and the cheese is melting.
• Open-faced: Grill one piece of bread in a skillet. Add the tomatoes, tuna, and cheese and place under the broiler (or in the toaster oven) for a couple of minutes to melt the cheese.
• No mayo: Use all Greek yogurt in the tuna salad recipe. You could also replace the mayo with mashed avocado or hummus.
• Vegetarian: Replace the tuna with some lightly mashed chickpeas or a vegan tuna.
• English muffin: Toast the English muffin halves. Add your tomatoes, tuna, and cheese and place under the broiler or in a toaster oven to melt the cheese.
• Toast the bread: Make sure to toast the bread before adding the tuna since it will get soggy quickly if not.
• Add bacon: Cook some bacon, crumble it up, and sprinkle it on top of the melty cheese for a smoky spin!

Storage and Reheating

I highly recommend making your tuna melts as you want to eat them as they’re better fresh! However, here’s what to do if you find yourself with leftovers:

• Storing: Place the sandwiches in an airtight container or ziplock bag and refrigerate. They’ll keep well for 1–2 days.
• Reheating: Heat the sandwich in the oven at 350ºF for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the bread is crisp and the cheese is melty. You can also reheat in a skillet over medium heat until heated through.
• Leftovers: Add leftover tuna salad to lettuce wraps or a salad for a low-carb lunch!