Tuna Melt
Tuna salad with melted cheddar or Swiss on toasted sourdough — the diner sandwich that endures.
Origin Story
The tuna melt is an American diner invention of the mid-20th century, bringing together two American sandwich staples: the tuna salad sandwich (popularised by the widespread availability of canned tuna in the 1920s) and the grilled cheese. The combination first appeared on diner menus in the 1950s and has remained a fixture ever since.
Cultural Context
The tuna melt is an American diner classic that divides opinion cleanly: devotees consider it perfect comfort food; detractors object to the warming of tuna salad. It appears on virtually every American diner menu and has remained one of the most consistently ordered lunch items for 70 years despite — or because of — its simplicity.
Recipe
Mix canned albacore tuna with mayonnaise, diced celery, onion, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread thickly on sourdough bread. Top with 2 slices of sharp cheddar or Swiss cheese. Cook open-faced under the broiler until cheese is melted and bubbling, or assemble and cook in a covered pan. Serve immediately.