The Kitchen
Kimchi Tuna Melts
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.) M…
Ingredients · Servings 4
- 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
Method · 25 minutes
- Using 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Arrange tuna melts on a platter or plates and sprinkle remaining 1 scallion, thinly sliced, over; season with more pepper.
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.
Recipe information
- Total Time 25 minutes
- Yield 4 servings
Preparation
- Step 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 2Heat 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 3Mound 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 4Arrange tuna melts on a platter or plates and sprinkle remaining 1 scallion, thinly sliced, over; season with more pepper.
