These Lemony Herb Tuna Melts are a great mash-up when classic grilled cheese and tuna salad come together!
Some urban legends for ya: Mr. Rogers was a Navy Seal, eating Pop Rocks candy and then drinking Coke will cause stomach damage, and Walt Disney arranged for his body to be frozen upon his death. All false.
You know what else is a myth? That children like to be messy and dirty. Ok, so maybe this is true when it comes to Haley’s bed (and entire room, for that matter), and maaaybe it’s true when mud and worms are involved. Fine. But, omg, give my kids a sloppy joe sandwich and they freak out! “It’s so messy, Mom!” “It’s falling apart, Mom!” “This sandwich is so hard to eat, Moooooom!” Um, ya. That’s why it’s called a sloppy Joe!
I always thought that the messy was part of the fun, no?
Needless to say, when I served these tuna melts, I did so fully expecting the same reaction.
But instead of “my tomato is falling out!” and “I need a fork!”… I got “yummy!” and “this is really good!” So either my kids are growing up, or these were so delicious that they didn’t care about being neat. I think a little of both.
Other sandwiches we love!
Dill Pickle Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Sliders
Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
Lemony Herb Tuna Melts
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup light mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme , chopped fine
- 3 tablespoons fresh chives , chopped fine
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley , chopped fine
- zest and juice of 1 small lemon
- pinch of freshly ground pepper
- 12 ounces white albacore tuna ,drained
- 8 slices good rustic bread (such as Ciabatta or Pugliese) ,1/2-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ,divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded fontina cheese
- 8 slices tomato
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayo, mustard, herbs, lemon, and pepper. Gently stir in the tuna, breaking it up slightly.
- Spread the outside sandwich bread slices with butter; flip over. Place some of the cheese on four of the bread slices, followed by the tuna mixture, 2 slices of tomato and then more cheese. Top with the remaining 4 bread slices, butter side facing up.
- Warm a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side or until cheese is melted and bread is golden.
- Serve right away and enjoy!
Just made this tonight and it was so delicious! Thank you very much for the recipe. :)
These sound really delicious! Billy doesn’t do canned tuna (shocker!), but I bet this would be just as well with chicken. Sounds super light and summery, too!
I haven’t had a tuna sandwich in a long time, and this version looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it out.
OHMYGOSH I could eat 16 stacks.
Sloppy joes always make me think of that scene in It Takes Two where Mary Kate or Ashley Olsen is at camp and shoves one in her face because it’s so good. I always wanted THAT sloppy Joe experience.
The big, gooey, messy burger!
This looks like totally my kind of sandwich. Everything about it!!
My kids are anti sloppy joe too, it drives me nuts. This sandwich looks heavenly!! like I seriously want one right now.
All I want is a tuna melt and a panini press. And really…pop rocks and coke is only a myth???
You’re absolutely making me itch for a panini press with those incredible grill marks! Holy moly!
These look amazing!! YUM!