Open-faced tuna melt

An open-faced tuna melt is a warm, savory sandwich consisting of a single slice of toasted bread topped with a mixture of canned tuna, mayonnaise, and often other ingredients like celery or onion, all crowned with a generous layer of melted cheese. It's a classic, quick-to-prepare comfort food popular in American diners and home kitchens. The dish is essentially a deconstructed or simplified version of a traditional tuna melt sandwich.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is typically high in protein from the tuna and cheese, and also contains a significant amount of fat, primarily from the mayonnaise and cheese. A standard serving provides a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and calcium, with a rough calorie estimate ranging from 400 to 600 calories per serving, depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	450 kcal
Protein	35 g
Carbs	30 g
Fat	22 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	5 g
Sodium	950 mg
Potassium	450 mg
Phosphorus	350 mg
Selenium	60 mcg
Niacin (B3)	12 mg
Vitamin B12	2.5 mcg
Calcium	250 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Zinc	3 mg

Per 1 sandwich (approx. 220 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, the open-faced tuna melt is a quintessential example of mid-20th century American convenience food, showcasing the post-war popularity of canned goods and simple, hearty meals. Nutritionally, it's an interesting balance of processed and whole food elements, offering high-quality protein and healthy fats but often accompanied by sodium and saturated fat.