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    Home » Recipes » Easy Main Dish Recipes

    Aug 24, 2022 by Andrea· This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

    Tomato Tuna Melts

    Jump to Recipe

    Tomato Tuna Melts eliminate the bread and instead serve up flavourful tuna salad piled on thick slices of tomato, topped with cheese and broiled to perfection. They make a quick and easy weeknight meal or light and healthy lunch.

    baked thick slice of tomato topped with tuna salad and melted cheese.

    Ever since I started making this recipe I haven't gone back to the bread. The tomato version is so much lighter and more flavourful plus you get the added nutrition from the tomatoes. Of course all of this on top of a toasted bagel is also delicious and decadent.

    If all you get from this post is a new tuna salad recipe you are a winner! I like to add a couple of extra things to mine to bump up flavour and nutrients. Those things just happen to also make it next-level delicious.

    If you are looking for more ways to use up tomatoes you might fall in love with this Chilled Tomato Soup (Gazpacho) or this Roasted Tomato and Pepper Soup.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Which is the best canned tuna?
    • 🔪Instructions
    • Storage
    • Variations
    • What to serve with these melts
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🥘Ingredients and Substitutions

    Here's what you will need to make this recipe. For quantities see the recipe card below.

    a can of tuna showing the msc label to look for when shopping for sustainable fish products.

    Which is the best canned tuna?

    There are so many brands and varieties of canned tuna out there so it can be confusing. I try to keep things as simple as possible. So here are the things I look for.

    1. Top priority for me is the MSC label. What does the label mean? "The blue fish label is only applied to wild fish or seafood from fisheries certified to the MSC standard, a scientific measure of sustainable fishing." Head over to The Marine Stewardship Council website for more information.
    2. If you are concerned about the mercury levels in tuna look for Skipjack instead or Albacore. Skipjack tuna are smaller and the smaller the fish, the lower the mercury levels are. The bonus is that the Skipjack tends to be less expensive.
    3. I like tuna in water for things like tuna salad when I'm mixing in other fats. Otherwise everything becomes too oily.
    ingredients for tomato tuna melts laid out on a white wood background.
    • Canned tuna - This recipe also works with canned salmon or chicken.
    • Large tomatoes - Juicy, in-season tomatoes are always ideal. In the off-season I recommend Kumato or vine ripened tomatoes.
    • Mayonnaise - Go with real mayonnaise like Hellman's instead of Miracle Whip. Or if you can't eat eggs a vegan mayo works perfectly. Choose a light mayo to reduce calories if that's your jam. You can also use half light mayo and half thick Greek yogurt.
    • Avocado - Instead of adding more mayo I opt for a half a small avocado for extra fiber, healthy fat, and nutrients.
    • Fresh lemon juice - the hit of acidity balances out the flavours. A splash of pickle juice is perfect if you are out of lemons.
    • Dill pickle - I love chopped dill pickles in tuna salad. They add a crunch as well as another layer of flavour. If I'm out of pickles chopped celery adds that needed crunch.
    • Sharp Cheddar - adds that ooey-gooey deliciousness. Any type of cheddar works as well as Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Swiss, or any other melty cheese.
    • Fresh parsley - not essential but adds some freshness and colour to the finished tuna melts.

    🔪Instructions

    Everything comes together in a pinch! Make extra tuna salad to have throughout the week.

    all ingredients for tuna salad in a bowl before mixing.
    tuna salad mixed together in a bowl.

    Step 1 - Drain the tuna and add to a bowl along with the mayo, avocado, dill pickle and lemon juice. Mix everything together, using a fork so you can mash up the avocado while mixing. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. You may find the ingredients used provide enough salt already.

    six slices of tomato topped with tuna salad and cheese on a baking tray.
    one tomato tuna melt on a tray before baking.

    Step 2 - Thickly slice the tomatoes and place on a parchment or foil lined baking tray. Top with tuna salad and shredded cheese.

    Step 3 - Set oven rack to the top third position (one level down from the top). Broil on high for 2-3 minutes. Just until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Leave it a bit longer to brown if you like but keep a close eye on it. Top with fresh, chopped parsley, if using and serve.

    Storage

    Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Serve cold, at room temperature, or reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warm.

    Variations

    No Tomato - If you prefer to use something other than tomatoes try a half or quarter of a bell pepper, mini peppers, portabella mushrooms or zucchini boats instead. With these vegetables I suggest pre-baking them at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes, or until cooked to your liking, before stuffing and broiling.

    Stuffed Tomato - Cut the tops off the tomatoes and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Stuff with tuna salad, top with cheese and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.

    2 tomato tuna melts on a white plate with a side of greens.

    What to serve with these melts

    I like having these with a simple green salad but if you are looking to level up this meal or serve them as part of a brunch or special lunch here are some great accompaniments.

    • White Bean Salad with Arugula
    • Dill Pickle Chopped Salad
    • Tabbouleh Salad with Quinoa
    • Grilled Vegetable Salad

    Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and/or a comment below. You can also follow me on social media here on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

    Want to say thank you?

    📖 Recipe

    baked thick slice of tomato topped with tuna salad and melted cheese.

    Tomato Tuna Melts

    Tomato tuna melts are a quick and easy bread-less version of a classic tuna melt.
    4.95 from 19 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine: All
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 pieces
    Calories: 205kcal
    Author: Andrea Mut
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    Ingredients

    • 2 cans chunk or flaked tuna packed in water (170 g/6 oz)
    • 1 dill pickle, finely diced
    • 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
    • ½ small avocado, cut into chunks
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 large tomatoes, or enough for 6 thick slices
    • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

    Optional Garnish

    • Fresh parsley, chopped

    Instructions

    • Drain the tuna and add to a large bowl along with the mayo, chopped avocado, chopped dill pickle and lemon juice.
      2 cans chunk or flaked tuna packed in water, 1 dill pickle,, 2 tablespoon mayonnaise, ½ small avocado, cut into chunks, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • Mix everything together with a fork, mashing the avocado as you mix, until well combined. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
    • Place oven rack in the top third of oven (2nd rack from the top). Preheat broiler to high.
    • Slice the tomatoes into 6 thick slices. Place on a foil or parchment lined tray. If your broiler tends to get very hot use foil instead of parchment paper.
    • Scoop tuna onto tomato slices and top with grated cheese.
    • Broil for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling. Remove from oven, top with fresh parsley and serve.

    Notes

    Storage - Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Serve cold, at room temperature, or reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warm.
    NUTRITIONAL FACTS - Please note that these calculations are an estimate only and have not been approved by a registered dietitian. I use an online nutritional calculator from My Fitness Pal to calculate the numbers. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1piece | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MyPocketKitchen or tag #mypocketkitchen!

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    Comments

      4.95 from 19 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    1. Marion says

      September 01, 2024 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      I was thinking of making a salad nicoise for lunch and this recipe popped up in my inbox. Serendipity! Delicious tuna salad recipe! I used arugula as a base, topped with this salad, added some chopped tomatoes from the garden and chopped yellow peppers and finished with a grating of Oka cheese. It was a very satisfying lunch. No leftovers unfortunately 😉

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      • Andrea says

        September 03, 2024 at 8:38 am

        That sounds like a delicious lunch! Thanks for commenting and I’m so happy you enjoyed it

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    2. Tina says

      February 04, 2023 at 6:50 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Substituted the tuna for a family member allergic to fish and we both enjoyed!!!

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    3. Roberta Goldby says

      October 07, 2022 at 6:51 am

      5 stars
      Love these tuna melts as part of my lunch. I discovered you when I joined the Livy program and love that you have been able to provide me with alternatives to that English muffin. I do prefer this recipe to the one where we scooped out the the half tomato and used it, although both are great. Always look forward to your recipes.

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    4. Michelle Thornley says

      August 29, 2022 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      Saw this recipe this morning and made for lunch. Incredible! Easy to make and so good 👍
      Also I had toast, nut butter & tomato last week which was amazing even though it sounds bizarre

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      • Andrea says

        August 29, 2022 at 4:02 pm

        I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed both of those! Thanks so much for commenting

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    5. Patty Pfanzelt says

      August 26, 2022 at 12:23 pm

      4 stars
      I’ve made these, and absolutely loved them

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    6. Mieke Fraser says

      August 26, 2022 at 11:12 am

      5 stars
      These are absolutely delicious thank you for all your delicious recipes and enabling me to become creative in my kitchen

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      • Andrea says

        August 26, 2022 at 2:04 pm

        My pleasure! I'm so happy to hear you are getting more creative in the kitchen! Love hearing that!

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    7. Lynn says

      August 26, 2022 at 10:31 am

      5 stars
      I make this one often. It’s delicious and a favourite of both my husband and I. Have used tomatoes and peppers, both are good. Thank you Andrea for another one of your great recipes.

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      • Andrea says

        August 26, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        My pleasure! So happy you and the hubby are enjoying them!

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    8. Sonia says

      August 26, 2022 at 9:15 am

      5 stars
      love this recipe!! Im not a big fan of tomato, so I just put it on top of a salad. So good!!

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      • Andrea says

        August 26, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        Awesome! I do that often too!

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    9. Bonnie says

      August 26, 2022 at 8:17 am

      5 stars
      I’m making these tuna on tomato for lunch today. Thanks for this easy recipe.

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      • Andrea says

        August 26, 2022 at 8:22 am

        Yay! Hope you enjoy them!

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    10. Jeanine says

      August 26, 2022 at 8:15 am

      5 stars
      Delicious, simple and quick!!
      Love all your recipes Andrea !!

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      • Andrea says

        August 26, 2022 at 8:22 am

        Thank you so much!

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    11. Gerry Proulx says

      August 26, 2022 at 7:59 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe.

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    12. Karen says

      August 26, 2022 at 7:19 am

      5 stars
      Making for lunch today- a family fave

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    Andrea from My Pocket Kitchen

    Hello and welcome to My Pocket Kitchen! I'm Andrea, a professionally trained Chef & Pastry Chef . Here you will find easy, step by step recipes that are packed with wholesome, nutrient rich ingredients. Hope you have fun! Read More…

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