Looking for more tuna melt inspiration? Check out my full guide to tuna melt recipes.

If you’re the kind of person who reaches for extra pickles on everything, this tuna melt is for you.

We’re leaning all the way into pickle territory here. Creamy tuna salad gets mixed with dill pickle mayo, chopped pickles, pickle brine, garlic, and a generous handful of fresh dill. Then it’s piled onto toasted sourdough, topped with melty provolone, and finished with—you guessed it—even more pickles.

It’s tangy, savory, creamy, and just the right amount of ridiculous.

In other words: pickle lovers, welcome home.

Why This Tuna Melt Is So Good

A good tuna melt is comforting. A pickle-packed tuna melt is comforting with personality.

Here’s what’s happening flavor-wise:

• Dill pickle mayo adds creamy tangy goodness

• Pickle brine brightens the entire tuna salad

• Fresh dill makes everything taste fresh and herbaceous

• Provolone cheese melts beautifully without overpowering the pickles

• Extra pickle slices on top bring the crunch

Also, we’re going open-faced here, which means maximum melty cheese coverage and crispy bread.

No complaints.

Ingredients

For the Pickle Tuna Salad

• 2 cans sustainably caught tuna, drained

• ⅓ cup dill pickle mayo (I like the one from Ayoh)

• ¼ cup chopped dill pickles

• 1–2 teaspoons pickle brine

• 1 clove garlic, finely minced

• 2 tablespoons grated onion

• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

• Salt and freshly cracked pepper

For the Tuna Melt

• 4 slices sourdough bread

• 4 slices provolone cheese

• Dill pickle slices

• Fresh dill for garnish

• Butter or olive oil for toasting

How to Make a Dill Pickle Tuna Melt

1. Make the Pickle Tuna Salad

In a bowl, combine tuna, dill pickle mayo, chopped pickles, pickle brine, garlic, grated onion, and fresh dill.

Season with salt and pepper and mix until creamy and evenly combined.

Taste it. Then probably add a little more dill, because why not?

2. Toast the Bread

Lightly butter the sourdough and toast it in a skillet until golden and crisp.

Crispy bread is key to a great tuna melt—it gives the sandwich structure and keeps everything from getting soggy.

3. Add the Cheese Layer

Place a slice of provolone on the toasted bread.

Let it melt slightly before adding the tuna salad. This creates a little cheese shield that helps keep the bread crisp.

Yes, cheese shields are a real thing now.

4. Build the Tuna Melt

Pile the pickle tuna salad on top of the melted cheese.

Add another slice of provolone and place the sandwich under the broiler until the cheese melts and bubbles.

Because this sandwich is open-faced, the top gets extra gooey and golden.

5. Finish with Pickles

Once the cheese is melted, top the tuna melt with dill pickle slices and fresh dill.

More pickles. Obviously.

Tips for the Best Tuna Melt

• Toast the bread first
  This keeps everything crisp and sturdy.
• Use good pickles
  Crunchy dill pickles make all the difference. I prefer Grillo’s!
• Don’t skip the fresh dill
  It brightens the entire sandwich and makes the flavor pop.
• Broil for the finish
  It melts the provolone perfectly and gives the tuna melt that classic diner vibe.

Other Tuna Melt Recipes to Try

If you’ve made it this far, there’s a good chance you’re a tuna melt enthusiast.

Lucky for you, I’ve been on a bit of a tuna melt kick lately. You might also love:

Classic Tuna Melt
The nostalgic version with capers, melty cheese, and a crunchy potato chip twist.

Pineapple Jalapeño Tuna Melt
Sweet pineapple and fresh jalapeño bring the perfect sweet-and-spicy balance.

Spicy Calabrian Chili Tuna Melt
A bold version with Calabrian chili, pepper jack cheese, Cheez-It crunch, and hot honey.

Different mood, same cozy sandwich energy.