Tuna Melts with Quick-Pickled Fennel Recipe
These Tuna Melts with Quick-Pickled Fennel combine creamy tuna salad with tangy, crisp fennel, melted mozzarella cheese, and whole-grain bread for a satisfying and flavorful American-style entree that’s perfect for a speedy lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings
- Category: Entree
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Pickled Fennel
- 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fennel fronds
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided
- 1 cup water
Tuna Mixture
- 2 (5-oz.) cans tuna in water, drained
- 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise or whole-milk Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tsp. capers, drained
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fennel fronds (from above)
Assembly
- 5 slices whole-grain bread
- 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Pickled Fennel: Place the thinly sliced fennel bulb into a large glass jar or measuring cup. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup water, rice vinegar, granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to a boil, whisking to fully dissolve the sugar and salt. Pour this hot pickling liquid over the fennel slices and allow it to cool to room temperature while you prepare the tuna mixture.
- Make Tuna Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon zest and juice, chopped fresh parsley, capers, remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon chopped fennel fronds. Stir all ingredients together until well mixed.
- Assemble Tuna Melts: Evenly spoon the prepared tuna mixture onto each slice of whole-grain bread. Generously top each slice with freshly grated mozzarella cheese, spreading it evenly.
- Broil Tuna Melts: Place the assembled bread slices on a baking sheet under the broiler set to HIGH. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning, until the cheese is melted and the crust of the bread is golden brown and crisp.
- Add Pickled Fennel and Garnish: Remove the tuna melts from the broiler and top each with the quick-pickled fennel slices. Optionally, garnish with additional fresh herbs such as parsley or leftover fennel fronds to enhance flavor and presentation. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Watch the broiler carefully as the cheese can burn quickly.
- Quick-pickled fennel can be made a day ahead for more flavor.
- Use whole-milk Greek yogurt as a healthier alternative to mayonnaise.
- Feel free to substitute mozzarella with provolone or cheddar cheese for a different taste.
- For a lower sodium version, reduce the amount of kosher salt and capers.
