{"id":"tuna_melt_092710421f","slug":"classic-tuna-melt","title":"Classic Tuna Melt","description":"A comforting American lunch classic featuring a creamy, seasoned tuna salad and melted cheddar cheese on buttery, toasted sourdough bread.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 can (5 oz) tuna in water, drained","name":"Water","quantity":142,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"canned","notes":"drained, in water","group":"Tuna Salad","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"3 tbsp mayonnaise","name":"Mayonnaise","quantity":45,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"creamy","notes":"","group":"Tuna Salad","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 stalk celery, finely chopped","name":"Celery","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely chopped","notes":"small stalk","group":"Tuna Salad","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 tbsp red onion, minced","name":"Red Onion","quantity":20,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"minced","notes":"red","group":"Tuna Salad","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp lemon juice","name":"Lemon Juice","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"fresh","notes":"","group":"Tuna Salad","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"Salt and pepper to taste","name":"Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Tuna Salad","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"4 slices sourdough bread","name":"Sourdough Bread","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"sourdough","group":"Sandwich","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"4 slices cheddar cheese","name":"Cheddar Cheese","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"sharp or mild","group":"Sandwich","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened","name":"Butter","quantity":28,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"softened","notes":"unsalted","group":"Sandwich","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a medium bowl, combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, chopped celery, minced red onion, and lemon juice. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the drained tuna, mayonnaise, chopped celery, minced red onion","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Season the tuna mixture with salt and pepper to taste.","group":"Preparation","title":"Season the tuna mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Butter one side of each slice of bread. Place two slices, butter-side down, in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.","group":"Cooking","title":"Butter one side of each slice of bread","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Top each slice in the skillet with a slice of cheddar cheese, a generous scoop of the tuna mixture, and another slice of cheese.","group":"Cooking","title":"Top each slice in the skillet","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place the remaining bread slices on top, butter-side facing up. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is thoroughly melted.","group":"Cooking","title":"Place the remaining bread slices","timerMinutes":4,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Using a good quality sourdough or rye bread makes a big difference in texture. For an extra kick, add a few slices of pickled jalapeños inside the sandwich.","cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["saute"],"equipment":["Mixing bowl","Non-stick skillet","Spatula"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":["fish","milk","gluten","wheat","eggs"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"sandwich","note":"Two full-sized sandwiches"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The tuna salad can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge. Do not assemble the sandwich until ready to cook to prevent sogginess."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Best served fresh. Leftovers can be refrigerated, but the bread will lose its crispness.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in a dry skillet over low heat to regain some crispness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftuna_melt_092710421f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7146f5cb-825e-4ba8-8b7d-cec075d14297","imageAlt":"Classic Tuna Melt — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["tuna","melt","sandwich","american","lunch","cheese"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Classic Tuna Melt","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T19:10:29.122Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T19:10:29.122Z","related":[{"id":"bagel_with_lox_ba134c5918","slug":"bagel-with-lox","title":"Bagel with Lox","description":"A classic New York-style breakfast featuring a toasted bagel topped with silky cream cheese, savory smoked salmon, salty capers, and fresh red onion.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["New York"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein","low_sugar"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbagel_with_lox_ba134c5918%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=87e7d1ee-c704-487f-8afc-b50c916cc52b","imageAlt":"Bagel with Lox — recipe cover","tags":["salmon","lox","bagel","breakfast","brunch","quick","high-protein"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":4},{"id":"breakfast_burrito_1eabfe4e76","slug":"breakfast-burrito","title":"Breakfast Burrito","description":"A classic American morning staple featuring savory breakfast sausage, fluffy scrambled eggs, and melted cheddar cheese wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbreakfast_burrito_1eabfe4e76%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=1ae76925-2eb9-4809-8c63-4c7347000b98","imageAlt":"Breakfast Burrito — recipe cover","tags":["breakfast","burrito","eggs","sausage","high protein","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":5},{"id":"cheeseburger_e888ac3a3d","slug":"classic-american-cheeseburger","title":"Classic American Cheeseburger","description":"A juicy, perfectly seared beef patty topped with melted cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and tangy pickles on a toasted brioche bun.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcheeseburger_e888ac3a3d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=cdb73eda-0269-4a33-84cb-2cf01a0a4cff","imageAlt":"Classic American Cheeseburger — recipe cover","tags":["cheeseburger","beef","classic","sandwich","grilling"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5}]}