Eat Without

Citrus Tuna Melt

Source: A Harvest of Recipes with USDA Foods USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Published by the USDA MyPlate Kitchen library. Read from an archived copy of the source page captured 2025-12-31.

This warm toasted sandwich is easy to make. Our recipe uses one slice of bread per serving. An open-faced sandwich has less sodium and fewer calories.

Makes
6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 can (about 12 ounces) tuna, drained
  • 2 tablespoons lime (or lemon) juice
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup tomatoes, diced (or 2 tablespoons, about 2 ounces, low-sodium diced tomatoes, drained)
  • 1/2 cup apple, diced
  • 1/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 slices whole grain bread (or homemade bread)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne or jalapeño chilies, diced (optional)
  • 3 slices pasteurized process American cheese, cut into halves
  • 6 slices tomatoes
  • 6 leaves lettuce

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 °F.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine tuna, lime juice, onion, tomatoes, apple, celery, and pepper. Mix well.
  3. Toast the bread.
  4. Place 6 slices of toasted bread on a cookie sheet. Put an even amount of tuna mixture on top of each slice. If using parsley and chilies, add these too.
  5. Put 1/2 slice cheese on top of the tuna and bake for about 3 minutes.
  6. Add an extra slice of tomato and lettuce on top if you like.
  7. Serve hot.

Notes

Learn more about: Limes Lemons Onions Tomatoes Apples Celery Herbs Lettuce

Quoted for reference only, exactly as the source printed it, so check product labels yourself before relying on any of it. The methodology page covers the guarantee, and how a contributor can have their text removed on request.