This Avocado Tuna Melt is a take on the classic open-faced sandwich! It features tomato and Muenster cheese on crunchy toasted whole grain bread for a hearty and filling meal.
Ready in 15 minutes, you'll love the combo of light tuna with rich avocado. Upgrade a simple tuna melt into a show stopping dish that you'll never get tired of making!
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🩵 About This Recipe
The tuna melt is a classic lunch choice. I hadn't had a tuna melt in a loooong time, and for some reason I just developed a hankering for one. But of course, I could not just make a plain ol' tuna melt. I decided to make a fancy schmancy, upscale tuna melt. I was just in one of those moods.
Avocado and tomato on the melt elevate the ordinary sandwich into something extra special! And Muenster cheese is a favorite of mine - plus it's a great melting cheese, perfect for this sandwich!
And if you're looking for another great tuna recipe, check out this Lemon Dill Tuna with Noodles!
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- whole grain bread - or substitute with your favor bread!
- white chunk albacore tuna - or your favorite canned tuna.
- mayonnaise - use light, if desired.
- dried dill - adds a bright freshness to the sandwich.
- onion flakes, garlic powder, and paprika - to add loads of flavor.
- avocado - for creamy goodness.
- tomato - also gives a bright burst of freshness to the avocado tuna melt.
- Muenster cheese - really you can sub with the cheese you have on hand, but Muenster really elevates this sandwich!
🔪 Let's Make an Avocado Tuna Melt!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Make Tuna Salad
Make the tuna salad by combining the tuna, mayo, dill, onion flakes, garlic powder, and paprika in a medium bowl.
Toast
Lightly toast the bread.
Add Avocado
Place slices of bread on a baking sheet and place the avocado slices on top of the bread.
Add Tomato
Top with tomato slices.
Add Tuna Salad
Next pile the tuna salad on top of the tomato.
Broil
Place a slice of cheese on top of the tuna. Now place the baking sheet under the broiler on high for 3-4 minutes until the sandwich is hot and the cheese is melted.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Making the best sandwich starts with quality ingredients. Make sure that your bread is fresh, that your spices haven't lost their zing, and that the avocado and tomato are ripe but not overripe.
- Choose your avocado based on when you plan to make your tuna melt sandwich. If it won't be for a few days, pick an avocado that is still fairly firm when you give it a light squeeze.
- Did you know you can put your ripe avocado in the refrigerator to give yourself an extra day or two before it becomes overripe? That fun fact has helped me out many times!
- Be sure to toast the bread. Get it crispy and golden brown without burning.
- Layer the ingredients carefully. Make sure to spread the tuna salad crust-to-crust before topping with the cheese - this will ensure every bite is just as delicious as the one before!
❔ FAQs
Well only the BEST sandwich! It's a mixture of tuna and seasoning on crispy bread and topped with avocado, tomato, and melted cheese. This open-faced sandwich will just about literally melt in your mouth!
Yes! Instead use a skillet! Start by preheating your skillet to medium heat. Add the sandwich to the skillet and cover. Heat for about 2-3 minutes until cheese starts to melt. The lid covering the sandwich will act like an oven and help to melt the cheese.
Tuna is a high-quality lean protein and a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Plus it's lower in fat than canned chicken! For us, it's a great option for a meal. If you are concerned, you can look for BPA-free cans and check the ingredient label to see what oils or broths may have been added. Check out my informational article on How Long Does Tuna Last for more tips on canned tuna!
You can make this up to three days ahead. Doubling the tuna salad will ensure lunch will be made for a couple of days!
No, it's not something that is recommended. Eat and enjoy while it's fresh!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Have a different favorite tuna salad recipe? Use that instead!
- Try this sandwich melt with cooked shredded chicken breast, leftover rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken.
- Try using this chickpea salad for a meatless option!
- Add some arugula on top after melting the cheese to round out the flavor profile and add a fresh pop of green color.
- Want to make this with no mayo? Use about ½ avocado mashed in place of the mayonnaise. You could also use hummus or even mashed white beans instead. I like to use the mashed avocado because I love avocado so much!
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
Be sure to keep a close eye on the sandwiches once they're under the broiler - it's easy to burn them if you're not paying attention!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Leftover tuna salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend assembling sandwiches right before serving - once they're assembled, they won't store particularly well.
If you do have sandwiches left over, store in the fridge for a day or so. Reheat in the skillet or in a toaster oven to keep them crispy.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this avocado tuna melt recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Keep it simple because it's all about the sandwich - chips and a pickle would be delicious! Though... I would not say no to seafood pasta salad ... just saying! 😋
😋 More Hot Sandwich Recipes You'll Love
- Grilled Chicken Cheese Sandwich - Add some protein to your grilled cheese with tender and filling chicken!
- Chili Cheese Grilled Sandwich - Bold and hearty, this is a satisfying grilled cheese with the zesty flavors of chili.
- Grilled Mushroom Sandwich with Pesto - This unique take on grilled cheese includes herbal pesto and earthy mushrooms for hearty flavor.
- French Dip Sandwich - This take on the classic sandwich from The Salty Marshmallow is a comforting and cheesy dish the whole family will love.
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Tuna Melt with Avocado
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📋 Recipe Card
Avocado Tuna Melt
Ingredients
- 15 ounces white chunk albacore tuna (3 cans)
- 3 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- ¼ teaspoon onion flakes
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 4 slices whole grain bread
- 1 avocado (sliced)
- 1 large tomato (sliced)
- 4 slices muenster cheese
Instructions
- Make the tuna salad by combining the tuna, mayonnaise, dill, onion flakes, garlic powder, and paprika in a medium bowl. (To make this with no mayo, substitute ½ avocado mashed for the mayonnaise.)15 ounces white chunk albacore tuna, 3 ½ tablespoons mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon dried dill, ¼ teaspoon onion flakes, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Lightly toast each slice of bread. Place the toasted bread on a baking sheet.4 slices whole grain bread
- Distribute the avocado slices among the 4 pieces of bread.1 avocado
- Place the tomato slices on top of the avocado.1 large tomato
- Distribute the tuna salad on top of the tomato.
- Place a slice of cheese on top of the tuna. Place the baking sheet under the broiler on high for 3-4 minutes until the sandwich is hot and the cheese is melted.4 slices muenster cheese
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Choose your avocado based on when you plan to make your tuna melt sandwich. If it won't be for a few days, pick an avocado that is still fairly firm when you give it a light squeeze. If you will be making it right away, choose an avocado that gives slightly.
- If your avocado is perfectly ripe but you're not ready to use it, store it in the refrigerator to extend its life.
- I recommend that you don't skip toasting the bread-the added crunch makes a big difference in the finished sandwich.
- Drain the tuna well before mixing to keep the tuna salad from becoming watery.
- Keep a close eye on the sandwiches under the broiler since the cheese can go from melted to overbrowned quickly.
Variations:
- Use light mayonnaise if desired.
- Swap the Muenster cheese for provolone, Swiss, cheddar, or Monterey Jack.
- Adding sliced red onion or spinach is a nice touch!
- Use sourdough, rye, or multigrain bread in place of whole grain bread.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the tuna mixture.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with fresh fruit, chips, or a simple green salad.
- Pair with a cup of tomato soup for a comforting lunch or light dinner.
- Cut into halves or quarters and serve as an easy party or game-day snack.
Storage:
- Refrigerate leftover tuna salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Assemble sandwiches just before serving for the best texture.
- Reheat leftover sandwiches in a skillet or toaster oven to help maintain crispness.
- I don't recommend freezing the leftovers.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in August 2014, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in July 2026.
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Carol says
Delicious combinations! My first try out on Yummly .
Kristin says
So glad you enjoyed this, Carol! 🙂
indah nuria savitri says
I really love tuna melt as well! and avocado makes it even more special. I'm choosing this post to be featured on #OMHGWW
Amy says
These tuna melts look so good. I love tuna melts and avocados are such a plus. Thank you for sharing at Mix it up Monday.
Bright says
Sounds delicious and its nearly lunch time. Its my first time to your blog...I found you on Nifty Thrifty Link up today. Love the name of your blog!