Avocado Tuna Melt
Avocado Tuna Melt takes a classic tuna melt and puts it inside a ripe avocado! No bread slices needed, this delicious gluten-free Avocado Tuna Melt is a great low-carb option and the perfect meal prep recipe for lunches during the week.
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This Avocado Tuna Melt recipe has a delicious tuna mixture baked inside an avocado and topped with melted cheese. This has all the makings of a tuna melt sandwich but takes advantage of the flavor and wholesomeness of avocadoes, making this a delicious and nutritious meal!
What makes this Avocado Tuna Melt so great is that it's a quick meal once you make the tuna mixture, making this one of our go-to meals for meal prepping lunches for the week. A stuffed avocado is the perfect size to feed a single person, so make a few at the beginning of the week and you're set.
Avocado Tuna Melt is super customizable, too. We find our tuna mixture and its main ingredients give it a great savory, creamy filling. However, you can add hot sauce to make it spicy or some dijon mustard to add some extra bite.
Why You'll Love this Recipe:
Quick & Easy - Ready in 15 minutes, perfect for a fast meal or snack.
Healthy & Nutritious - Packed with healthy fats from avocado, protein from tuna, and fiber-rich veggies.
Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly - A delicious alternative to traditional tuna melts without the bread.
Flavorful & Satisfying - The combination of creamy avocado, tangy pickles, smoky paprika, and melted cheddar makes every bite delicious.
Customizable - Swap the tuna for chicken, salmon, or even chickpeas for a plant-based option.
Ingredients to Make Avocado Tuna Melt:
- avocado. Choose ripe but firm avocados so they hold their shape when filled. If overly soft, mash them into the tuna mixture instead.
- tuna. Use canned tuna in water for a lighter option or oil-packed tuna for extra richness.
- onion. Red onion adds a sharper bite, while green onions provide a milder flavor.
- pickles. Adds a tangy crunch! Use dill pickles for a classic taste or sweet pickles for a hint of sweetness.
- red bell pepper. Provides sweetness and crunch. You can swap for celery or tomatoes for a different texture.
- mayonnaise. Adds creaminess; use homemade or swap with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- cheddar cheese. Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor, or try mozzarella, pepper jack, or Swiss for variety.
How to Make Avocado Tuna Melt:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F or set the broiler to high.
- In a mixing bowl, combine tuna, onion, pickles, red bell pepper, paprika, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Scoop out some avocado flesh, leaving a slight border in the avocado halves. Mash the removed avocado and mix it into the tuna mixture.
- Spoon the tuna mixture back into the avocado halves, filling them generously. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Place the filled avocados on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Choose the Right Avocados: Use ripe but firm avocados so they hold their shape when filled. If they're too soft, mash them and mix with the tuna instead.
- Drain the Tuna Well: Too much liquid can make the filling watery. Press out excess moisture before mixing.
- For Extra Creaminess: Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt or cream cheese to the tuna mixture for a richer texture.
- Boost the Flavor: A squeeze of lemon juice enhances freshness and prevents the avocado from browning.
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Customize the Cheese: Try pepper jack, Swiss, or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions:
How to Store:
Refrigeration: Store any leftover tuna mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To prevent browning, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface or mix in a little lemon juice.
Freezing: Not recommended, as avocados can become mushy when thawed. Instead, freeze only the tuna mixture for up to 1 month and add fresh avocado when serving.
Reheating: Warm at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
FAQs:
Mix in lemon juice or lime juice to slow oxidation, and press plastic wrap directly against the surface when storing.
Absolutely! Swap canned tuna for salmon or even shredded rotisserie chicken for a different protein option.
No, you can enjoy it cold as a stuffed avocado or serve the tuna mixture on toast or in lettuce wraps.
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Avocado Tuna Melt
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 can tuna
- ¼ cup onion, diced
- ¼ cup pickles, diced
- ¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F or set the broiler to high.
- In a mixing bowl, combine tuna, onion, pickles, red bell pepper, paprika, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Scoop out some avocado flesh, leaving a slight border in the avocado halves. Mash the removed avocado and mix it into the tuna mixture.
- Spoon the tuna mixture back into the avocado halves, filling them generously. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Place the filled avocados on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutrition
Notes
-
- Choose the Right Avocados: Use ripe but firm avocados so they hold their shape when filled. If they're too soft, mash them and mix with the tuna instead.
- Drain the Tuna Well: Too much liquid can make the filling watery. Press out excess moisture before mixing.
- For Extra Creaminess: Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt or cream cheese to the tuna mixture for a richer texture.
- Boost the Flavor: A squeeze of lemon juice enhances freshness and prevents the avocado from browning.
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Customize the Cheese: Try pepper jack, Swiss, or mozzarella for a different flavor profile.
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I’ve made this twice…second time without yellow or red pepper, but still absolutely delicious. Thank you ever so much for sharing!
Didn’t have any pickles…regardless…this was absolutely delicious!! Thank you for sharing with us. We will make this again.
Can you make this without the pickles? What would you substitute for them
Simple, but delicious! Thank you
Sounds lovely, going to make it this lunchtime, like today!
Hope it turns out good for you!