Jewish Deli–Style Tuna Melt With Relish, Dill, Celery, and Swiss Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does deli tuna salad taste so good? ›

So why does deli tuna salad taste better? When you let tuna salad sit overnight, the way it does at a deli, the flavors have time to meld together. The mayo and seasonings absorb into those individual components — the celery, in particular — creating a more cohesive tuna salad experience.

The key to preventing a soggy tuna melt is to drain your canned tuna really well. To do this, empty the tuna into a fine-mesh strainer then press down on it to release any liquid.

Cucumbers. A diced cucumber is an excellent addition to tuna salad and a perfect alternative to celery. Not only does cucumber add a pop of color to the dish, but it also provides a good crunch that people might miss when celery isn't included in the mix.

More viscous or fluid products may cause a more 'wet' tuna salad.” Less popular for tuna salad among our experts but still mayo MVPs, Kewpie and Miracle Whip both have distinct flavors that don't work as well with tuna, one more savory (Kewpie) and one sweeter (Miracle Whip).

Flavor-wise, oil-packed tuna gets the gold star. The texture, too, is going to be more tender because the fish is packed in fat, which keeps it moist. This type of tuna shines by itself, without the need for mayonnaise or other creamy condiments.

Things like American cheese, Monterey jack or Swiss cheese are all great, but we love the sharp bite of cheddar. — Variations. We packed this sandwich full of celery, pickles, and red onion, but just like our classic tuna salad, feel free to switch up the toppings.

Tuna and sweet chili sauce are a flavor pairing dream. Salty, briny tuna fish with sweet, spicy chili sauce plus creamy mayonnaise - give it to me any day. So naturally, I had see how it worked as a tuna melt.

While you can use any bread that you like for a tuna melt, a hearty bread will hold up well to the sandwich filling. Try sliced sourdough, ciabatta, rye, whole grain bread, whole wheat or a thick-sliced white bread. You can even make open-faced tuna melts on English muffins.

Instead of mayo, add fat-free Greek yogurt to tuna to tame the heat of a good squirt of sriracha sauce. Top with lots of lettuce or chopped cilantro. Tuna Niçoise – Freshen up this French favorite by mixing canned tuna with fresh parsley, garlic and a little olive oil.

Try a 1/4 cup or so of chopped cucumber, red bell pepper, carrots, celery, or even fresh greens, such as spinach or arugula. You may have to add more mayo or cottage cheese to get the consistency you want, but it works!

What goes with tuna melts? ›

Coriander (Cilantro) Leaves: Chopped coriander leaves can add a fresh and slightly citrusy flavor akin to celery. Fennel Seeds or Fennel Bulb: Fennel, with its mild licorice-like taste, works well as a replacement for celery. Use fennel seeds in spice blends or chopped fennel bulb in recipes.

Using plain salt is always a safe option, but if you're looking for something with a little more flavor, onion salt would be a better choice. Additionally, dill comes from the same family as celery and dried dill can be crushed and mixed with table salt in a 2:1 ratio to make a good celery salt substitute in a pinch.

And it's not just salt; restaurants also serve tuna salads that are packed with fat. This is due to the use of heavy-duty mayonnaise, which contains more egg yolks than regular mayonnaise.

While most mayonnaise (with the exception of vegan mayo) contains eggs, heavy-duty mayo has additional yolks that lead it to stay thick and creamy, even when warmed. Plus, having more adds in that extra rich flavor, too.

Tuna from a can is about as close to pure protein as any food I can think of. If you are lacking anything that you are craving, I'd guess protein. And if that's so, tuna is a pretty darned good choice. Your body is very smart and will make you hungry for what it needs.

Mayonnaise-rich tuna salad has a very soft, moist texture. To provide textural contrast, many restaurants add crisp ingredients to the mixture, including diced celery and onions. If served in a sandwich, simply toasting bread or adding lettuce to the sandwich results in a gripping textural contrast.