Name: Tuna Melt
Yield: Makes 4 sandwiches
Ingredients: 1 English hothouse cucumber, sliced 1/8" thick; 1 habanero chile or 2 jalapeños, halved; 1 sprig dill; 1 cup distilled white vinegar; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon celery salt; 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds; 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander; 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric; 2 5-ounce cans water-packed solid white tuna, drained; 1 celery stalk, chopped; 1/4 English hothouse cucumber, peeled, chopped; 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill; 1/4 teaspoon celery salt; 1/2 cup mayonnaise, divided; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; Hot sauce; 8 slices challah, toasted; 4 ounces cheddar, sliced; Iceberg lettuce leaves

In search of a classic tuna melt? This is the best we've tried. Palace Diner makes its own pickles, but of course you can start with store-bought.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

Bread-and-butter pickles:

1 English hothouse cucumber, sliced 1/8" thick

1 habanero chile or 2 jalapeños, halved

1 sprig dill

1 cup distilled white vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

Tuna salad and assembly:

2 5-ounce cans water-packed solid white tuna, drained

1 celery stalk, chopped

1/4 English hothouse cucumber, peeled, chopped

1/4 small red onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon whole grain mustard

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill

1/4 teaspoon celery salt

1/2 cup mayonnaise, divided

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Hot sauce

8 slices challah, toasted

4 ounces cheddar, sliced

Iceberg lettuce leaves

Preparation

Bread-and-butter pickles:
Step 1
Pack cucumber, habanero, and dill into a heatproof glass jar; set aside. Bring vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, red pepper flakes, celery salt, mustard seeds, coriander, turmeric, and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt, then pour into jar. Cover and let cool; chill.
Step 2
Do ahead: Pickles can be made 2 weeks ahead. Keep chilled.
Tuna salad and assembly:
Step 3
Preheat oven to 425°. Mix tuna, celery, cucumber, onion, oil, lemon juice, mustard, chives, dill, celery salt, and 1/4 cup mayonnaise in a medium bowl; season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
Step 4
Place bread on a baking sheet and spread remaining mayonnaise over 4 slices; top with tuna salad and cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 4 minutes. Top melts with lettuce and pickles and close.

TagsSandwich Pickle Condiment American Cucumber Vegetable Tuna Fish Seafood Celery Cheddar Cheese Dairy Main Dinner Lunch Sheet-Pan Dinners Oven Bake Bon Appétit

Recipe information

Ingredients

Bread-and-butter pickles:

Tuna salad and assembly:

Preparation

Bread-and-butter pickles:

Step 1

Step 2

Tuna salad and assembly:

Step 3

Step 4

Recipe notes