How To Make A Cheap Tuna Melt Sandwich

An open-faced tuna melt is a tasty and economical sandwich. Learn about making a classic tuna melt with a few simple ingredients.

Open Faced Tuna Melts are a classic tuna melt recipe that’s quick to make and extremely easy on the wallet. And, kids and adults love them! Plus, this recipe is a great use of leftover hamburger buns.

Open Faced Tuna Melt Recipe

Ladies and gentleman, let me present a delicious family-pleasing dinner that won’t break the bank. Let me repeat that. THIS IS SO CHEAP TO MAKE!

• 2 small cans tuna
• Mayonnaise
• Relish (or chopped pickles with a splash of juice)
• Leftover hamburger buns (buttered)
• Cheese Slices

I’m betting you might already have all these ingredients in the refrigerator and pantry.

How To Use Leftover Hamburger Buns

Last weekend, we celebrated my son’s birthday. So I made a huge pan of Oven Pulled Pork, and we ate it on hamburger buns. Well it turns out that I overbought buns. I absolutely hate letting food go to waste. I already made hamburgers, and I used a couple buns in my Old Fashioned Stewed Tomatoes. But I still had a few buns lying around.

Suddenly, I had an epiphany when I spotted a couple lonely cans of packed tuna in the cabinet. So I toasted up the buttered buns, whipped up an easy tuna salad recipe (found below), topped it with cheddar cheese slices, and broiled until melty. The result was a yummy, easy lunch that took minimal effort.

I’ve also been known to make up tuna salad and stuff it into a refrigerated biscuit as a turnover or make it into a tuna salad coney.

If you have a favorite, go-to tuna salad recipe, use it by all means. Or go ahead and make up this simple version that I use.

Tuna Salad Recipe

How to Make Classic Tuna Salad Sandwich

Drain cans of tuna (packed in water); mix with Mayo (or Miracle Whip) and relish. Season with salt and black pepper.

What can I mix with canned tuna?

The variations are endless.  Here’s some great ideas:

1. Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
2. Mustard (Dijon, Yellow, or Stone-Ground)
3. Shredded Cheese (sharp cheddar cheese is best)
4. Relish or Pickles
5. Hard-boiled Eggs
6. Lemon Juice or Lemon Zest
7. Dried Cranberries
8. Celery
9. Onions or Red Onions
10. Olives
11. Avocado

How to Make Easy Open-Faced Tuna Melts

Step By Step Instructions

1. Split bun; butter the open side.
2. Broil in oven or toaster oven until lightly browned; watching carefully so it doesn’t burn. (optional step)
3. Remove from oven; top with one scoop tuna salad.
4. Top with slice of cheese.
5. Return to the oven and broil until you get melty cheese.

For the full instructions and ingredient list for hot tuna melts, scroll to the bottom of this post. 

Recipe FAQs

• This is an open-faced tuna melt recipe.
• I love using leftover hamburger buns for this tuna melt recipe. Don’t let those buns go to waste. English muffins work too.
• Regular tuna or albacore tuna works fine.
• My version of easy open faced tuna melts includes a step to toast the bun, but this is an optional step. I love the added butter-flavor and toasted crunch, but it’s great without it too.
• Use your favorite tuna salad recipe for these classic tuna melts or follow my simple recipe (found in the section above).
• These are a great quick freezer meal.  Pull out one or two or three and microwave them until warm. Or bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F or until warmed through to the center.

How To Freeze Open-Faced Tuna Melts

Storage Instructions

1. Prepare tuna boats following the recipe. Let cool completely.
2. Wrap individually in aluminum foil; seal tightly in a freezer, zip-lock bag.
3. When ready to eat, pull out as many classic tuna melts as you need.
4. To warm, heat in the microwave for or bake from frozen in a preheated 350 degree F oven until heated through, approximately 20-25 minutes.

What is a good side dish to have with a tuna sandwich?

• Potato Chips
• Cottage Cheese
• Applesauce
• Potato or macaroni salad
• Side Salad
• Raw veggies and dip

More Cheap Tuna Recipes

Mom’s Tuna Casserole

Tuna Mac and Cheese

Easy Tuna BBQ