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Open Faced Skinny Tuna Melt is a light, delicious, and filling sandwich. A simple tuna salad gets kicked up several notches, and sharp Cheddar cheese adds a great bite to this dish that’s ready in 20 minutes.
This post and recipe card updated July 25, 2020
My parents never cooked with tuna when I was growing up, so I rarely ever ate it. In college, tuna fish sandwiches were one of my staple lunches.
Like many other foods, I go on eating spurts with tuna. When I’m in the zone, I eat it weekly. Other times I’ll buy tuna, and it just sits in the pantry forever because I forget about it.
Tuna Pasta Salad is one of my go-to lunches. I love the contrast of flavors in my Tuna Cakes with Fresh Tomato Salsa. And Tuna Tettrazini is an easy weeknight casserole.
I love melty-type sandwiches, full of gooey cheese. But yes, I know that’s not the best decision on a regular basis. So I’ve lightened up one of my favorites, with an Open Faced Skinny Tuna Melt
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS
- It’s a light and easy recipe that’s ready in about 20 minutes
- You can easily go heavier on the cheese
- You can make a big batch of the tuna ahead, and finish the sandwiches as needed
I love this Open Faced Skinny Tuna Melt! It’s light, full of veggies, and surprisingly filling.
ALL ABOUT THE TUNA
What I love about tuna is its versatility. It works well in a wide variety of dishes, and it is light and healthy.
I’m a huge fan of Albacore Tuna. I have read that it has a higher mercury level than chunk tuna, and high levels of mercury are bad for you. However, I don’t eat nearly enough tuna to suffer any negative effects.
Most tuna comes packed in water, and I always look for wild-caught tuna. Some brands have tuna packed in oil. I’ve tried it…it’s delicious and the oil adds a nice silky texture. But I stick with tuna in water to save calories.
INGREDIENT TIPS FOR OPEN FACED SKINNY TUNA MELT
I use English Muffins for the bread. Lightly toast the bread first, to help them crust up better when you finish the melt in the oven.
I prefer to use vine-ripened tomatoes, and cut them into 1/4″ slices for a generous bite.
To keep it lighter, I don’t go crazy with the cheese. However, I do add it twice…on top of the bread, and as a finishing touch on top of the tuna salad.
I use sharp Cheddar cheese because I like the bite of flavor. But definitely use your favorite variety, and you can play around with different types on each layer.
For more veggies, I add finely diced carrots, red onion, and celery, plus some shredded parsley. I keep the veggies raw because I love the contrast of texture.
To bind everything together I use Mayonnaise and Spicy Brown Mustard. A few dashes of Hot Sauce adds a great kick.
Salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder round out the spices. Less is definitely more with the salt
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Drain tuna well, and add to a large bowl. Flake the tuna with a fork to break up the big chunks.
Add carrots, celery, red onion, and parsley. Mix together lightly to combine.
Add salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Then add mayonnaise, mustard, and hot sauce. Stir to combine well.
Open English muffins, toast lightly, and place face-up on a platter. Top with half of the cheese.
Next, place tomato slices on the cheese. Scoop the tuna salad onto the tomato slices.
Top the tuna with the remaining cheese.
Heat the toaster oven to 400 degrees. Toast for 7-10 minutes, until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make these ahead? You can definitely make the tuna salad ahead, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. I recommend assembling and toasting immediately before serving.
Can I use pre-seasoned tuna? I’m not a fan of it, because I prefer to add my own seasonings. If you do use it, you can eliminate the other seasonings
What other base options can I use?
- Use thick-cut slices of sourdough bread
- Go gluten-free with Gluten-Free English Muffins
- Omit the bread and use the tomato as the base for a low carb dish.
MORE DELICIOUS SEAFOOD RECIPES
- Easy Shrimp Scampi
- Old Bay Salmon Cakes
- Clams & Mussels in Garlic Butter Wine Sauce
- Avocado Shrimp Ceviche
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Open Faced Skinny Tuna Melt
Open Faced Skinny Tuna Melt is a light, delicious, and filling sandwich. A simple tuna salad gets kicked up several notches, and sharp Cheddar cheese adds a great bite to this dish that’s ready in 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 English Muffins
- 4 slices roma or vine-ripened tomatoes
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
TUNA SALAD
- 10 ounces white Albacore tuna in water
- 2 Tablespoons carrots, finely diced
- 2 Tablespoons red onion, finely diced
- 2 Tablespoons celery, finely diced
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise (I use Avocado Oil mayo)
- 2 teaspoons yellow or spicy brown mustard
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 5 dashes hot sauce of your choice (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, shredded
- 1 teaspoon fresh-cracked black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat toaster oven or oven to 400 degrees
- Drain water well from tuna. Add the tuna to a large bowl, and flake the tuna well with a fork.
- Add carrots, celery, red onion, and parsley to the tuna. Mix all the ingredients together with a fork.
- Add mayonnaise, mustard, red wine vinegar, and hot sauce. Add salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, Fold all ingredients together and set aside
- Lightly toast the English muffins, and lay face-up on a flat surface. Sprinkle half of the cheese mixture equally on each muffin piece. Top each one with a tomato slice. Scoop equal amounts of tuna salad on each muffin half. Finish with remaining cheese.
- Carefully transfer muffins directly onto a baking rack, and toast for 7-10 minutes. Remove carefully and sprinkle with a little more fresh parsley
Notes
I use Albacore tuna. You can use chunk light if you'd prefer. Some brands have tuna packed in oil, but I prefer tuna packed in water to save calories.
I use sharp Cheddar cheese because I like the bite of flavor. But definitely use your favorite variety, and you can play around with different types on each layer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make these ahead? You can definitely make the tuna salad ahead, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. I recommend assembling and toasting immediately before serving.
Can I use pre-seasoned tuna? I’m not a fan of it, because I prefer to add my own seasonings. If you do use it, you can eliminate the other seasonings
What other base options can I use?
- Use thick-cut slices of sourdough bread
- Go gluten-free with Gluten-Free English Muffins
- Omit the bread and use the tomato as the base for a low carb dish.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 391Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 977mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 37g
Nutrient values are estimates only. Variations may occur due to product availability and food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients, etc
Adapted from Skinny Taste
GWENN BROWN says
I had this for my lunch today. Very delicious and filling! And I calculated the calories as I was making it and it was only 259 calories. So good! Thanks for sharing this recipe, Karyl!
Karyl says
Awesome Gwenn!! I’m so glad you loved it. One of my favorite lunches
Tatiana says
My mother in law recently was looking for delicious protein packed tuna dishes, i am going to show her your recipe.
Debs says
seeing this post it is too funny! I bought a tin of tuna at the grocery store about 3 weeks ago . I never buy tuna. And I’ve been staring at it wondering what I’m going to do with it! This recipe is perfect! It sounds (and looks) amazing.
Maggie @ Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
I was just thinking about a recipe with less carbs, and this popped up. Love this idea. Going to give it a try! Thanks for sharing.
Karyl says
Thanks Maggie! I hope you love it as much as I do
Ben Myhre says
What a great lunch item and a good way to cut back on them calories.
Anne Murphy says
Oh, I know what you mean about texture – tuna doesn’t bother me, but enough other things do…
But I haven’t made a tuna melt in ages! Thanks for reminding me! (And your tuna salad sounds delicious, I’ll have to try that!)
Tamara Andersen says
Tuna is such a great thing to have in the pantry, and I forget to buy it. I’m always looking for healthy, lean, nutritious options for lunch or a light dinner, and this skinny tuna melt would be super tasty!
Karyl says
Thanks Tamara! I’m with you on forgetting to buy tuna, but these days I try to make it a point to buy more whenever I use the last can
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
I didn’t think I would crave a tuna sandwich but your open-faced one is so full of flavor it would be a treat to eat. The colors are so inviting!! I’ve never put carrot in my tuna but you’ve inspired me to give it a go.
Christine says
I haven’t had a tuna melt in a long time, but this looks SO delicious! Would love it for lunch today!
Monica | Nourish & Fete says
I am just like you – I tend to go on spurts of eating tuna. And then weeks, sometimes months, will pass by without my thinking of it, and then all of sudden something reminds me that I have been skipping this delicious and usually easy-to-prep option! These open-faced melts look particularly delicious – what a fantastic simple lunch option!
Patti @Patty Cake's Pantry says
My hubby loves tuna melts, so this recipe is a definite keeper. Like you, I prefer tuna packed in water, I m’s glad to read your recommendation of avocado mayonnaise. I recently it, and I am in love. It just has an amazing flavor.
Karyl says
Thanks Patti! Yes, I always have avocado mayo in the fridge now, and absolutely love it. You definitely don’t feel like you’re eating a lighter product
Rachel says
This tuna melt looks REALLY good and I’m fussy about my tuna melts. You know enough mayo, but not too much, plus tasty extras for added flavor. I think I know what I’m having for lunch tomorrow!
Karyl says
Yes Rachel, I hear you on the mayo. I hope you loved these as much as I do
Erin says
Oh my! That looks incredibly delicious! Pinning it rn and hope to make it later this week. Thanks for the recipe!
Karyl says
Thank so much Erin! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do
Clay and Hannah says
This Looks Absolutely AMAZING! I am always looking for ways to change up lunch and tuna is an easy one! I might even slice alittle avocado on this one! Thanks for the recipe!
Karyl says
Thank you!! Yes, avocado would be awesome on this sandwich
Suzanne Hines says
This looks so good! I know what I’m having for lunch tomorrow!!!
Karyl says
It’s so delicious and super easy Suzanne! I know you’ll love it
Jocelynne Flor says
Tuna melts are one of my favourite things to make because they’re so simple. I’m meal prepping today so I’m going to add this into my rotation 🙂
Karyl says
That’s wonderful Jocelynne! I hope you love it as much as I do
Melissa @ Disco Bumblebee says
I was just thinking of making tuna this week, and now I definitely am going to do it. I love this version, it looks so delicious!
Karyl says
That’s awesome Melissa! I hope you love this as much as I do
Reezie says
You know what would look good with that? A box of Popeyes. Spicy.