Diner-Style Tuna Melt Sandwich
A diner-style tuna melt sandwich turns a simple can of tuna into a hot, satisfying meal in just minutes. Made with creamy tuna salad, melted cheese, and golden grilled bread, it’s a classic sandwich that has earned a permanent place on diner menus across the country.
Give your tuna sandwich an upgrade
This simple grilled sandwich is perfect for busy lunches and quick dinners on those days when you want comfort food without spending much time in the kitchen. I make this tuna melt the same way it was made at Friendly’s restaurant during the 17 years that I worked there.
It’s remained my favorite tuna melt all these years. If you’re looking for more sandwich recipes to make at home, try my homemade turkey club melt, chicken salad sandwich with basil, or creamy beef stroganoff sandwich next.
Serve any of these sandwiches with garlic seasoned potato wedges, traditional homemade potato salad, or Greek style chicken pasta salad for a complete meal.
Recipe ingredients
- Sourdough Bread: Friendly’s restaurant uses sourdough bread to make this sandwich, and that’s what I use here as well. If you’d prefer a different variety of bread for this recipe, try my rustic no knead bread loaf, homemade whole wheat artisan bread, or traditional caraway rye bread.
- Butter: Butter helps create the golden exterior that makes a great tuna melt. If you’d like to make your own at home, my from scratch farmhouse butter recipe is a great place to start.
- American Cheese: American cheese keeps this sandwich true to the restaurant version, melting smoothly into the tuna filling. If you prefer another cheese, feel free to use your favorite variety.
- White Albacore Tuna: This is one ingredient I strongly recommend not changing. White albacore tuna, packed in water, has a firmer texture and richer flavor that makes a noticeable difference in the finished sandwich. Chunk light tuna simply doesn’t compare in this recipe.
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise binds the tuna mixture together and gives it the creamy texture that makes a good tuna melt. If you’d like to make your own, there’s a simple from scratch mayonnaise recipe here on the blog.
- Tomato Slices: Thinly sliced tomato is key to this sandwich. It may seem like a simple addition, but its flavor complements the tuna, cheese, and grilled sourdough perfectly and makes a marked difference in the finished sandwich.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make a diner-style tuna melt sandwich
Step 1: Drain the tuna thoroughly and place it in a mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise and black pepper, then mix well, breaking the tuna into small pieces as you stir until the mixture is evenly combined.
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Step 2: Spread butter evenly over one side of each slice of sourdough bread. This buttered side will be placed against the skillet to create the sandwich’s golden crust.
Step 3: Place the bread butter-side down in a warm skillet. Immediately top each slice with American cheese and cook until the bread begins to turn golden and the cheese starts to soften.
Step 4: Spread the tuna mixture evenly over one slice of bread. Arrange the tomato slices over the tuna, covering the surface from edge to edge for the best flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Once the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted, carefully lift the cheese-topped slice and flip it onto the tuna and tomato side. Remove the sandwich from the skillet, rest for a few minutes, cut in half, and serve.
Top tips
- Toast at Moderate Heat: A moderate skillet temperature gives the cheese time to melt before the bread becomes too dark. If the skillet is too hot, the bread can brown before the center of the sandwich is properly heated.
- Let the Sandwich Rest Briefly: Allow the tuna melt to sit for a few minutes before cutting into it. This gives the melted cheese a chance to settle and helps keep the filling in place.
- Serve Immediately: A tuna melt is at its best straight from the skillet. The contrast between the crisp bread, creamy filling, and melted cheese is most noticeable while the sandwich is still hot.
- Use a Wide Spatula: A wide spatula makes it much easier to flip the cheese-topped slice onto the tuna side without disturbing the filling or shifting the tomato slices.
Other recipes you’ll enjoy
If you loved this sandwich recipe, give these other great sandwich recipes a try too!
Old-Fashioned Egg Salad (Simple & Classic)
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sliders (Bold & Spicy)
Loose Meat Sliders (Midwestern Style Ground Beef Sandwich)
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Sliders (Bold & Juicy)
Spicy Chicken Salad Sandwich
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Diner-Style Tuna Melt Sandwich
Ingredients
- 5 ounces albacore tuna packed in water
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ground black pepper to taste
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 slices American cheese
- 3 slices tomato thinly sliced
Instructions
- Drain the tuna thoroughly. Place it in a small bowl with the mayonnaise and black pepper. Mix until well combined, breaking the tuna into smaller pieces as you stir.
- Butter one side of each slice of bread.
- Place the bread butter-side down in a warm skillet. Top each slice with American cheese.
- Spread the tuna mixture evenly over one slice of bread. Arrange the tomato slices over the tuna.
- Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Carefully place the cheese-topped slice over the tuna and tomato side to form the sandwich.
- Remove from the skillet, rest for a few minutes, cut in half and serve.
Notes
- Drain the tuna thoroughly before mixing to prevent the filling from becoming watery.
- Solid white albacore tuna packed in water is recommended for the best texture and flavor.
- American cheese provides the closest match to a traditional diner-style tuna melt, but other melting cheeses may be substituted.
- Thinly sliced tomatoes work best and help keep the sandwich easy to assemble.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
