The best open-faced tuna sandwich you’ll ever taste! This recipe is inspired by Martha Stewart’s favorite way to enjoy tuna and is packed with fresh ingredients including lemon juice, celery, apple and basil. You combine these ingredients with tuna and mayo and scoop over toasted bread for a simple lunch or dinner. It is the best way to enjoy tuna!
You really can’t go wrong with an open-faced tuna sandwich for a nutrient-packed, protein focused meal. I recommend using a high quality tuna, my very fave is Ortiz Tuna and a good quality multi-grain bread.
Tuna Sandwich Ingredients
Tuna is a great source of protein in this recipe. Use a good quality tuna, packed in oil, and drained.
Celery adds a nice crunch to this tuna, and also adds vitamins and minerals.
Apples add a sweet crunch. I prefer to use pink lady, but Gala and Macintosh varieties are also great in this sandwich.
Mayonnaise holds this tuna salad together. I prefer to use Just Mayo but any brand you love will do.
Fresh Basil adds a distinctive flavor and a variety of antioxidants. You can substitute with other fresh herbs if basil isn’t available, but definitely use basil if you can!
Lemon juice adds flavor, a little acidity and vitamin C to this recipe. Optionally, you can add some lemon zest to the salad if you really love lemon!
Multigrain Bread is toasted as the base of these open faced sandwiches.
Coarse Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper are needed to finish this sandwich off right!
Directions for this Tuna Sandwich Recipe
Making this open-faced tuna sandwich is quite simple. First, drain your tuna and add to medium mixing bowl. Next, mix in mayonnaise, lemon juice, fresh basil, apple slices, celery and salt and pepper to taste. Finally, toast good quality bread and spoon on the tuna mixture. Optionally, garnish with extra basil and add a little extra finishing salt and freshly ground pepper.
Recipe Notes about Substitutions: If you don’t want to use mayo you can substitute ripe avocado blended with lemon juice until it is a similar consistency of mayo. I make it this way often and it is delicious!
If you are not currently eating bread this tuna salad also tastes amazing served as a lettuce wraps.
Open-Faced Tuna Sandwich with Basil, Lemon, Apple and Celery
The freshest open-faced tuna sandwich you'll ever taste! This recipe is inspired by Martha Stewart's favorite way to enjoy tuna and is packed with fresh ingredients including lemon juice, celery, apple and basil. You combine these ingredients with tuna and mayo and scoop over freshly toasted bread for a simple lunch or dinner. It is the best way to enjoy tuna!
Ingredients
- 6-8 oz good quality tuna packed in oil, drained
- 1 stalk celery, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1/2 apple, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4 inch pieces Pink Lady, Gala or Macintosh are good varieties
- 1 heaping tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped basil leaves
- 2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 slices good quality multigrain bread
Instructions
-
Add chopped celery, apples, basil and lemon juice to a medium sized mixing bowl.
-
Drain your tuna and add to the celery and apple mixture.
-
Mix in mayonnaise and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust ingredients to taste; If salad seems too dry, add a little more mayonnaise.
-
Toast 4 slices of toast. Divide the toasts onto two plates.
-
Scoop 1/4 of the tuna salad mixture on each slice bread. Garnish with fresh herbs, coarse salt and freshly ground pepper and serve immediately.
You Might Also Enjoy These Posts/Recipes:
Matcha Lemonade Recipe Sweetened with Honey
If you make this open-faced tuna sandwich recipe please share on instagram using hashtag #rainbowdelicious & and tag me at @rainbowdelicious , I’d love to see what you are up to in your kitchen!
Some links on this site are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!
What a lovely light and fresh sandwich. My kind of lunch!
Yay! Glad you enjoy it too Dannii!
This is just the kind of lunch / snack my husband really enjoys. Simple, wholesome ingredients. Thanks for the recipe!
So glad to hear this Gabby!
This looks like a great summer lunch option!
Totally, quick and easy to make during busy & hot summer days!
This is like the perfect easy dinner idea. Or breakfast or lunch!! The basil and apple in this is just so good!
Thanks Danielle!
Yum! I can see how apples and basil would really brighten the flavors of a tuna sandwich. Which in my experience can tend to be bland, but yours is clearly anything but that!
Totally agree! I’m over bland tuna sandwiches!
Yum, the apple and celery really balance this whole dish out. It looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Stine!
I’ve been eating a lot of tuna these days. I’m so glad I now have another recipe that I can try!
Tuna is great to have during shelter in place! Hope you enjoy this recipe Lesli!
Wow! This is my kind of sandwich that I’m craving for. Love the ingredients and the presentation is so mesmerizing. I’ll definitely make this at home.
Hope you enjoy it Amy!
I am making this tuna spread as I call it all the time but never added apples to it – will definitely have to try that – sounds delicious 😉
The apples add a nice flavor and crunch!
This looks really delicious and sounds healthy. Perfect for breakfast!
Thanks Nart!
I love this recipe, fresh, delicious and easy to make!
Thanks Biana!
Yum! I love apples in my tuna sandwiches. People think I’m crazy but it tastes so good. I’d recommend it for sure!
It is SO good! Thanks Krissy!
This is such a great twist to the “normal” tuna salad. It sounds amazing!
Thanks Patty!
This one is a very easy sandwich recipe. The addition of apple is something new and interesting. The other things also add a nice flavor to it.
Thanks Roxana!
My kids have never been a big fan of celery but they loved this. Made such a difference to the flavours. Thank you!
Glad you liked it Phenie!
I was never into sweet in savoury things, until I started apple into my tuna salad! I love the crunch with the celery and that little taste of tart and sweet with the tuna!
Thanks Jacqui!
I love tuna sandwiches, but have never thought to leave them open-faced. So genius!
I like the ratio better that way! Thanks Marta!
This tuna sandwich has such fun flavors! I’ve never thought to add apple in tuna salad before but it sounds so delicious!
It’s a great combo, thanks Alena!
Yum! This is a great easy lunch go to! I love that you added apples, sounds delicious!
Thanks Sondra!
YUM! I love the addition of all the fresh flavors to tuna. Really makes this dish so much better. Can’t wait to try.
Thanks Julie!
I love the many fresh and tasty flavors in this sandwich! You truly elevated the humble tuna sandwich with this one!
Thank you Gail!
I’ve never thought of putting apples in my tuna salad but this sounds amazing. My kids will love it for lunch this week, thank you.
It really is such a good combo, enjoy!
wow, I’ve never tried apple with tuna before, I bet it gives it a nice crunch!
It really does! Thanks Liz!
What a flavorful sandwich. Love the combo. Perfect for the weather here.
Thanks Kushigalu!
This sandwich looks great! With protein, veggies, and fruit, it’s the perfect breakfast to start your day with!
Thanks Nart!
Such a lovely recipe to enjoying some amazing Tuna sandwiches. This looks so creamy and the Apple combination is so yummy too.
Thanks so much Veena!