Cook’s Illustrated, known for its rigorous recipe testing and scientific approach to home cooking, has ignited an unexpected debate with its latest recipe: The Ultimate Tuna Melt. The controversy? A thick slab of iceberg lettuce.
In a recent Instagram post, the respected culinary brand shared a sandwich inspired by the popular tuna melt at Palace Diner in Biddeford, Maine. Their version features a bold blend of flavors: tuna salad mixed with Dijon mustard and lemon juice for heat and brightness, plus bread-and-butter pickle chips to cut through the richness.
But it was Associate Editor Erica Turner’s decision to top the sandwich with a large, crisp chunk of iceberg lettuce—not shredded, not a single leaf, but a full slab—that set off strong reactions.
Some praised the move. “Genius,” one commenter wrote, noting that they’ve seen wedge salads with less lettuce. Others were less convinced, including food content creator Jeremy Jacobowitz, who openly criticized the addition.
Even culinary heavyweight and former Cook’s Illustrated editor Kenji López-Alt chimed in, sharing a humorous photo of his own exaggerated version using romaine. He later clarified, “I think the CI sandwich actually looks really good. I love a good slab of iceberg.”
Celebrity Chrissy Teigen also joined the conversation, commenting on López-Alt’s post: “…I went on a deep dive and have concluded that it’s probably [expletive] amazing. Salad with bread.”
Supporters argue the crunchy, cold lettuce creates a striking texture and temperature contrast. The melt includes soft bread, warm tuna, and gooey cheese—adding crisp, cool lettuce keeps each bite from becoming overly soft or heavy. It also makes the sandwich feel more refreshing and balanced.
Critics, however, worry about structural issues. Some say cold lettuce doesn’t belong in hot sandwiches. Others think the thick lettuce could slide out and cause the sandwich to fall apart.
Still, many agree the lettuce plank might be a small change that delivers big impact. It’s a reminder that an unexpected ingredient can take a dish from good to unforgettable.
Whether you’re a fan or a skeptic, the takeaway is clear: there’s always room to rethink a classic. And in this case, that might mean embracing the crunch.
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