Classic tuna melt with a spicy kick. This Spicy Tuna Sandwich is made with tuna, jalapenos, mayo, spices, and a lot of cheddar cheese.
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I love tuna melts for a quick meal. I always have canned tuna, bread, and cheese on hand. It is perfect for weeknights when I don't feel like making anything fussy or dirtying too many dishes.
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🧀 Ingredients & Substitutions
Tuna: light tuna is lower in mercury, according to the FDA and EPA.
Pickled Jalapenos & Pickling Juice: I used pickled jalapenos because they are much milder than fresh jalapenos and bring the tanginess that you need in a tuna melt. You can use fresh jalapenos, but they will be much stronger. If you use fresh jalapenos, start with one and adjust from there. You will also need to substitute white vinegar for the jalapeno pickling juice.
Red Pepper Flakes: Pickled jalapeno is not nearly as spicy as fresh jalapenos, so a lot of the heat from this melt comes from the red pepper flakes. Add more or less depending on your spice tolerance.
Onion Powder & Garlic Powder
Mayo: I used mayo both in the tuna mixture and as the fat to toast the bread.
Bread: classic white bread works, but so does sourdough and multigrain.
Cheddar Cheese: other options are Munster, Pepper Jack, & Monterey Jack.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
🔪How to make Spicy Tuna Sandwich
- Combine the first 6 ingredients, tuna through garlic powder, and ⅓ cup of mayo. Then salt to taste. Add more red pepper flakes till you get your desired heat.
- Spread one teaspoon of mayo on one side of the bread. Place mayo side down onto a plate—top with a slice of cheddar cheese, then tuna, and then another slice of cheddar cheese. Spread mayo on another slice of bread, and add on top of the cheese, mayo side up. Repeat to make the 3 other sandwiches.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once the skillet is hot, place sandwiches on it. Cook until the bread starts to brown. Carefully flip, and cook the other side till brown.
- Serve immediately.
👩🍳Tips
Not all canned tuna is the same. I try to get Albacore tuna that is line or pole caught since the tuna has less mercury and is caught using safe marine life practices. You can read more about canned tuna from this Epicurious article.
🥗 Sides
- Chips
- Tomato Soup
- Salad
- Fries
- Tatter Totts
🙋♀️ FAQ
So many cheeses go well with it. Some of my favorites for a tuna melt are Cheddar, Munster, Pepper Jack, & Monterey Jack.
Yes, you need to drain the tuna from the excess water or oil. If you don't, the sandwich will be soggy and fall apart.
Want more easy sandwich recipes?
Spicy Tuna Melt
Ingredients
- 2 5oz cans tuna in water drained
- ½ cup sliced pickled jalapenos
- 2 teaspoon jalapeno pickling juice
- ½ - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes see notes
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ cup light mayo + 2 tbs for spreading on bread
- Salt to taste
- 8 slices of bread
- 8 slices of cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Combine the first 6 ingredients, tuna through garlic powder, and ⅓ cup of mayo. Then salt to taste. Add more red pepper flakes till you get your desired heat.
- To make the sandwiches: Spread one teaspoon of mayo on one side of the bread. Place mayo side down onto a plate—top with a slice of cheddar cheese, then tuna, and then another slice of cheddar cheese. Spread mayo on another slice of bread, and add on top of the cheese, mayo side up. Repeat to make the 3 other sandwiches.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once the skillet is hot, place sandwiches on it. Cook until the bread starts to brown. Carefully flip, and cook the other side till brown.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- A lot of the heat from this melt comes from the red pepper flakes. Add more or less depending on your spice tolerance.
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Jenni says
Love this so much and so does my family! I added chopped celery, chopped onion and melting cheese. So delicious!