This tuna salad recipe has been tested and retested hundreds of times over the span of 20 years in order to be perfect for these tuna melt sliders. The simple, tiny sandwiches are an easy way to serve these delicious tuna melt flavors while only requiring a few simple ingredients and only a couple dishes, leaving minimal clean up.
These tuna sliders are a great appetizer option during any time of year. This appetizer recipe is a delicious option as a game day appetizer and can also be a great app to serve to any tuna lovers at parties or special occasions. Tuna melt sliders can also be a great option for a weeknight dinner or made ahead of time for a lunch option during the week.
This was inspired by my tuna salad sandwich recipe on this site, and pairs well with this buffalo chicken sliders recipe or these homemade fried potato chips recipe.
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Ingredients
To make the tuna mixture for these sliders, you will need canned tuna, celery stalk, red or yellow onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt and black pepper. Monterey Jack cheese is then added on top of the tuna mixture for the melt element.
For the sliders sweet Hawaiian rolls are the best choice since they come in a pack of 12 attached rolls and are easy to assemble. For added flavor, a mixture of melted butter and fresh garlic is basted on the top half of the rolls.
- canned tuna
- celery
- yellow or red onion
- Monterrey jack cheese
- mayonnaise
- lemon juice
- salt
- black pepper
- butter
- garlic
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Dice the onion and celery. Shred Monterey jack cheese. Slice slider rolls in half and place bottom half of the rolls in a baking dish lined with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Drain water or oil from tuna can and add tuna to a medium mixing bowl. Mash with fork to bread tuna up. Add mayonnaise, onion, celery, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix until combined.
- Step 3: Spread tuna salad evenly on the bottom buns. Spread shredded Monterrey jack cheese over the tuna. Place top half of the rolls over the cheese.
- Step 4: Melt butter and grate fresh garlic into butter. Baste on top half of rolls with garlic butter sauce. Cover with tin foil and bake for 20-22 minutes. Remove from oven and serve immediately or save for later.
Hint: Cover the sliders with aluminum foil prior to baking to assure butter does not burn and rolls do not over toast. If you want a little crisp or toast on the buns, uncover the sliders towards the end bake at a high temperature for a few minutes to achieve a golden-brown, crispy top while keeping the interior soft and melty. Keep a close eye to prevent burning or over toasting once uncovered.
Substitutions
- Cheese - instead of Monterey jack, use cheddar or American cheese. Both of these cheeses will also melt evenly and won't distract from the tuna melt flavor
- Slider Rolls - use gluten free rolls instead of white bread rolls to make this gluten free
- Tuna - the tuna can be replaced with canned chicken for those who prefer chicken salad over tuna salad
Variations
- Pulled Pork Sliders - add pulled pork and coleslaw for a fun bbq slider variation
- Ham and Cheese - add ham and cheese to the slider rolls for a delicious slider version you can take on the go
- Chicken Salad - use canned chicken to make chicken salad instead of the tuna for a chicken salad melt version
See this simple Ham and Cheese slider recipe version of this recipe on my website!
Equipment
To make this recipe, you will need a casserole dish or baking sheet to bake the sliders. A sharp knife and cutting board are needed to dice the onion and celery. A medium bowl is also needed to mix the tuna salad.
Additionally, a serrated bread knife is needed to slice the slider rolls. A cheese grater is also needed if you are shredded the cheese manually.
How to Store Tuna Melt Sliders
Store leftover tuna melt sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Reheat in the oven, air fryer, or microwave.
These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.
Top Tip
For best results, buy a block of Monterey jack cheese and shred the cheese yourself. When pre-shredded cheese is bought from the grocery store, it has a film on it to help preserve it which prevents the cheese from melting evenly. Shredding the cheese yourself avoids the preservatives found on pre-shredded cheese and will result in an evenly gooey, melty cheese on your sliders.
FAQ
Yes, tuna salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator, which actually allows the flavors to deepen. Just give it a quick stir before assembling your sliders.
While the sweet rolls add a unique contrast, any soft, slightly sweet bread will work well. Brioche or potato rolls are great alternatives.
You could substitute the tuna salad with chickpea salad seasoned similarly, creating a tasty vegetarian version that still has great texture and flavor.
Monterey Jack is ideal for its creamy melt and mild flavor, but mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, or Colby cheese also work well depending on your taste preference.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with tuna melt sliders:
📖 Recipe
Easy Tuna Melt Sliders Recipe - Hot and Cheesy
Equipment
- 1 casserole dish or baking sheet
- 1 Medium Mixing Bowl
- 1 sharp knife and cutting board
- 1 sharp serrated bread knife
- 1 Cheese Grater
- 1 Basting Brush
Ingredients
- 2 cans tuna
- 1 celery stalk diced
- 1 onion red or yellow; diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 1 clove garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- 8 oz Monterey jack cheese
- 12 slider rolls
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Dice the onion and celery. Shred Monterey jack cheese. Slice slider rolls in half and place bottom half of the rolls in a baking dish lined with parchment paper.
- Drain water or oil from tuna can and add tuna to a medium mixing bowl. Mash with fork to bread tuna up. Add mayonnaise, onion, celery, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix until combined.
- Spread tuna salad evenly on the bottom buns. Spread shredded Monterrey jack cheese over the tuna. Place top half of the rolls over the cheese.
- Melt butter and grate fresh garlic into butter. Baste on top half of rolls with garlic butter sauce.
- Cover with tin foil and bake for 20-22 minutes. Remove from oven and serve immediately or save for later.
Notes
- save leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- reheat leftovers in the microwave, air fryer or oven prior to serving.
- these ingredients do not stand up well to freezing.
Nutrition
If you have any questions about how to make these tuna melt sliders or need other slider recipe suggestions, leave a comment below!
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