CookDiaries

Kimchi Tuna Melts are a bold, flavorful twist on a classic comfort sandwich. Savory tuna is combined with tangy, spicy kimchi and melted cheese, then toasted until golden and gooey creating a perfectly crispy, melty bite with just the right kick of heat and umami.

Recipe information

• Total Time25 minutes
• Yield4 servings

Ingredients

2 5-oz. cans oil-packed tuna, drained

¾ cup finely chopped Napa cabbage kimchi, plus 1 Tbsp. (or more) brine

½ cup mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie)

2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce

5 scallions, thinly sliced, divided

8 oz. sharp yellow or white cheddar, coarsely grated (about 1½ cups), divided

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

4 English muffins, split

Preparation

Step 1

1Using a fork, break up two 5-oz. cans oil-packed tuna, drained, into fine pieces in a medium bowl. Mix in ¾ cup finely chopped Napa cabbage kimchi, 1 Tbsp. kimchi brine, ½ cup mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie), 2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce, about 4 scallions, thinly sliced, and ½ cup sharp yellow or white cheddar, coarsely grated; season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Taste tuna salad and add more brine if needed.

Step 2

Heat broiler. Arrange 4 English muffins, split, cut side up, on a baking sheet; broil just until golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven; leave broiler on.

Step 3

Mound about ⅓ cup tuna salad on top of each English muffin half and scatter remaining 1 cup sharp yellow or white cheddar, coarsely grated, over (about 2 Tbsp. per muffin). Broil until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.

Step 4

Arrange tuna melts on a platter or plates and sprinkle remaining 1 scallion, thinly sliced, over; season with more pepper.

Notes:

A tuna melt needs no improving, but for those looking to change up the diner classic at home, consider some adjustments. Chopped kimchi and soy sauce transform mellow tuna salad into far more exciting fare. (And when it comes to the fish itself, go for oil-packed tuna here; it‘s richer and silkier than water-packed.) Made open-faced and toasted under the broiler, multiple melts come together at once, so no one at the table has to wait for a sandwich. And while any bread will technically suffice, English muffins fit perfectly in hands tuna melts are not a knife and fork situation. Serve with salad greens to round out the meal.

Fermented foods like kimchi pack a wallop when it comes to flavor, ideal for punching up weeknight dishes. Mother-in-Law’s, a widely accessible brand, offers a solid balance of heat and tang and lasts in the fridge for months.