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5.0 from 6 votes

Tuna Melt Sliders

A classic tuna melt goes to the next level when it’s served on a sweet Hawaiian roll and baked in garlic butter sauce! These Tuna Melt Sliders are a convenient, make ahead lunch or easy dinner recipe that the whole family will love!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
3 hrs
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 12 sliders
Calories: 231 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Tuna Salad:
  • 10 ounces canned tuna, drained
  • ½ cup finely diced celery
  • ½ cup light mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
Remaining Ingredients:
  • 1 (12 ounce) package of King's Hawaiian sweet rolls, split
  • 3 lices American cheese, quartered
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

To Prepare Tuna Salad:
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium bowl, use a fork to mix the tuna, celery, mayonnaise, pickle relish, salt and pepper.
Assemble the Sliders:
  1. Spread tuna salad on bottom of rolls. Place ¼ slice of American cheese on each. Replace tops.
  2. Arrange sandwiches in a single layer in a greased 8-inch-square baking pan.
Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce:
  1. In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 1-2 minutes.
  2. Whisk in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Continue whisking until brown sugar is dissolved.
  3. Pour butter sauce over sandwiches.
  4. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
  5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake sliders, covered, for 25 minutes.
  6. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Notes

  • Don't forget to allow enough time for the sandwiches to soak up the garlic butter sauce before baking. I recommend at least 2 hours, but you can leave them in the refrigerator overnight!
  • What do you put in a tuna melt? Additional tuna melt toppings that you can add to your sandwiches include sliced fresh tomato, avocado, bacon, sliced apple, capers, sliced dill pickles, sliced or diced hardboiled egg.
  • How do you make a healthy tuna melt? Make a tuna melt healthy by using light or nonfat mayonnaise, reduced fat cheese, and less of the garlic butter sauce.
  • Do you put mayonnaise in a tuna melt? Yes, my classic tuna melt recipe calls for mayonnaise. That said, if you don't like mayonnaise, you can make a tuna melt without mayonnaise by substituting with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt and a bit of Dijon mustard.
  • Serve Tuna Melt Canapes by offering a tray (or two) of these sliders at your next party!
  • Switch up the cheese! Try making a tuna melt with Swiss, a tuna melt with provolone, or a tuna melt with cheddar cheese.
  • Prefer a tuna melt without cheese? Simply omit the cheese from this recipe. The sliders will still taste amazing!
  • Make a tuna melt without celery by simply omitting the celery from this recipe. You can add diced sweet bell pepper if you'd prefer an alternative crunch!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1slider Calories 231kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 18g (6%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Cholesterol 45mg (15%) Sodium 438mg (18%) Potassium 66mg (2%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 340IU (7%) Vitamin C 0.3mg (0%) Calcium 64mg (6%) Iron 0.5mg (3%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12sliders

Amount Per Serving

Calories 231

% Daily Value*

Serving 1slider
Calories 231kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 18g 6%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 45mg 15%
Sodium 438mg 18%
Potassium 66mg 1%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 340IU 7%
Vitamin C 0.3mg 0%
Calcium 64mg 6%
Iron 0.5mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.