30 Canned Tuna Recipes That Prove This Staple Is Delicious25 Canned Tuna Recipes That Are Actually Amazing (2024)

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30 Canned Tuna Recipes That Prove This Staple Is Delicious25 Canned Tuna Recipes That Are Actually Amazing (1)Rashanda CobbinsUpdated: Jan. 05, 2023

    Keep these canned tuna recipes in your back pocket to pull out on a busy day.

    Tuna Noodle Casserole

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    Families are sure to love the creamy texture and comforting taste of this traditional tuna casserole that goes together in a jiffy. I serve it with a green salad and warm rolls for a nutritious supper. —Ruby Wells, Cynthiana, Kentucky

    Herbed Tuna and White Bean Salad

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    TMB Studio

    This is a quick and delicious salad that can be made special for guests—or yourself—by grilling fresh tuna steaks instead of using canned. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida

    Tuna Burgers

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    My family members were so accustomed to typical beef burgers that they were hesitant to try these when I first made them. Any skepticism disappeared after just one bite. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio

    Tarragon Tuna Salad

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    It’s surprising how a few herbs can brighten up tuna salad. Made with reduced-fat mayonnaise, this version gets its zip from mustard. It makes a terrific light lunch or Sunday brunch dish. —Billie Moss, Walnut Creek, California

    Did you know that you can put tuna salad in sushi? Try it out with this canned tuna sushi recipe.

    Herbed Tuna Sandwiches

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    A delightful combination of herbs and reduced-fat cheese makes this simple tuna sandwich a standout. —Marie Connor, Virginia Beach, Virginia

    Asparagus Tuna Noodle Casserole

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    Taste of Home

    I updated a traditional tuna casserole using fresh asparagus and asparagus soup. This is so different and so delicious. Use frozen asparagus when fresh is not in season. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

    (Check out more of our best tuna noodle casserole recipes!)

    Comforting Tuna Patties

    Taste of Home

    My grandmother and mother made these tuna patties on Fridays during Lent. I'm not the biggest fan of tuna, but it's perfect in this dish. These patties are even good cold the next day, if there are any leftovers. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington

    Asparagus Nicoise Salad

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    Taste of Home

    I’ve used my Nicoise as an appetizer or a main-dish salad, and it’s a winner every time I put it on the table. Here’s to a colorful, make-ahead salad! —Jan Meyer, St. Paul, Minnesota

    Tuna Potato Supper

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    Tuna lovers will find this to be a real treat. My husband and I enjoy it as a nice change from the ordinary baked potato. Add a salad for a simple lunch or dinner. —Rosella Peters, Gull Lake, Saskatchewan

    Slow-Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole

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    We tweaked this family-friendly classic to work for the slow cooker. It's easy, wholesome and totally homemade!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Garlic Bread Tuna Melts

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    There's something extra comforting about a tuna melt on a chilly day. Take it up a few notches with garlic, cheese and tomatoes. —Aimee Bachmann, Bellevue, Washington

    Tuna Mushroom Casserole

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    Taste of Home

    I love to serve this dressed-up version of a tuna casserole. The green beans add nice texture, color and flavor. The first time I made this dish, my uncle asked for seconds even though tuna casseroles are not usually his favorite.—Jone Furlong, Santa Rosa, California

    Tuna Melt on Cornbread

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    Try our rendition of an open-faced tuna melt. Serve it on cornbread for a quick lunch or dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Tuna-Filled Shells

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    Hot tuna's a hit when you mix it with sizable pasta shells and a cheesy sauce. Dill also complements the fish nicely in this cream comfort food. It's a great change of pace from the traditional tuna casserole. —Connie Staal, Greenbrier, Arkansas

    Tuna Noodle Cups

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    Taste of Home

    Older kids can get a jump on preparing dinner by stirring up these miniature tuna casseroles. Or serve them for brunch with fresh fruit, a tossed salad and rolls. —Marlene Pugh, Fort McMurray, Alberta

    Crunchy Tuna Wraps

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    Packed with protein-rich tuna and fresh, crunchy veggies, these colorful wraps have sensational flavor—and they're good for you, too. —Edie Farm, Farmington, New Mexico

    Snappy Tuna Melts

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    I lightened up a tuna melt by switching mayo to creamy balsamic vinaigrette. Kids and adults both go for this quick meal hero. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

    Crunchy Tuna Salad with Tomatoes

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    On a hot summer day, there's nothing more refreshing than this salad. I grow a few tomato plants in my garden and the fresh-picked taste makes the dish even more of a treat. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan

    Modern Tuna Casserole

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    Taste of Home

    Tuna casserole was my favorite as a kid, and I found myself craving it as an adult. I reconfigured the recipe to include more vegetables, and the result is perfection. —Rebecca Blanton, St. Helena, California

    Tuna Crescent Ring

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    This is really easy to throw together, and I often use it when I am too tired to fix anything else. —Julia Bivens, Martinsburg, West Virginia

    Creamy Tuna-Noodle Casserole

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    When you need supper fast, this tuna casserole with peas, peppers and onions makes a super one-dish meal. Cooked chicken breast works well in place of the tuna. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

    Mediterranean Tuna Salad

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    In spite of a long list of ingredients, this tuna salad is very quick to prepare. You'll love the fresh flavors. —Renee Nash, Snoqualmie, Washington

    Orzo-Tuna Salad with Tomatoes

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    Taste of Home

    Stuffed tomatoes provide endless options when you add meat, cheese, rice, veggies – or in this case, orzo. — Jenni Dise, Phoenix, Arizona

    Broccoli Tuna Casserole

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    Taste of Home

    When I was in the Navy, a co-worker's wife shared this recipe with me. I’ve tweaked it over the years, but it still brings back memories of my "family" away from home. —Yvonne Cook, Haskins, Ohio

    Crunchy Tuna Salad with Tomatoes

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    On a hot summer day, there's nothing more refreshing than this salad. I grow a few tomato plants in my garden and the fresh-picked taste makes the dish even more of a treat. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan

    Cilantro-Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwiches

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    Taste of Home

    Lime juice and cilantro in tuna salad – who knew? This recipe for avocado tuna salad came to me as a way to have a protein-packed meal with lots of pizzazz. —Heather Waldorf, Black Mountain, North Carolina

    This recipe is just one of several ways to enjoy a tunacado sandwich!

    Quick Nicoise Salad

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    Like the French, I pack my classic Nicoise salad with veggies, potatoes, tuna and eggs. Cooking the potatoes and beans together helps the dish come together fast. —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri

    Tuna and White Bean Lettuce Wraps

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    Here's a fabulous way to dress up ordinary tuna salad. This easy recipe makes a quick dinner or lunch at the office, and it's good for you. —Heather Senger, Madison, Wisconsin

    Snappy Tuna Melts

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    I lightened up a tuna melt by switching mayo to creamy balsamic vinaigrette. Kids and adults both go for this quick meal hero. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

    Pressure-Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole

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    We tweaked this family-friendly classic tuna casserole to work for the pressure cooker. Go for easy, wholesome and totally homemade!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Originally Published: December 31, 1969

    30 Canned Tuna Recipes That Prove This Staple Is Delicious25 Canned Tuna Recipes That Are Actually Amazing (31)

    Rashanda Cobbins

    Rashanda is a former food editor for Taste of Home. While studying for her bachelor’s degree in culinary arts, Rashanda interned in Southern Living’s test kitchen and later spent nearly a decade developing recipes and food content at ConAgra Brands. In her spare time, she loves scoping out local farmers markets and having picnics in the park.

    30 Canned Tuna Recipes That Prove This Staple Is Delicious25 Canned Tuna Recipes That Are Actually Amazing (2024)

    FAQs

    Should you avoid canned tuna? ›

    1. Is canned tuna fish good for you? Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus. Tuna also contains healthy omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA.

    What is actually in canned tuna? ›

    A: Tunas belong to the fish species “Thunnus.” There are many species of tuna, but only three that are commonly found in cans or pouches: skipjack, yellowfin and albacore. Skipjack and yellowfin are considered “light meat” tunas and albacore is “white meat” tuna.

    What is the healthiest canned tuna to eat? ›

    For tuna varieties, skipjack earns the Best Choice label from the FDA, while yellowfin and albacore receive the Good Choice label. The FDA suggests avoiding bigeye tuna, which has the highest levels of mercury. Before consuming canned tuna, it is best to consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

    Is StarKist tuna real tuna? ›

    Ingredients. Our “Light” tuna is primarily skipjack or yellowfin. Our “White” tuna is albacore tuna. All StarKist Tuna and salmon are wild caught fish.

    What is a cheap alternative to tuna? ›

    1 Smoked trout: Canned smoked trout is a great substitute for canned tuna, whether mashed up with mayonnaise and lemon juice or flaked over a green salad. It is especially good tossed with thinly sliced cabbage.

    Does canned tuna taste better in water or oil? ›

    Flavor-wise, oil-packed tuna gets the gold star. The texture, too, is going to be more tender because the fish is packed in fat, which keeps it moist. This type of tuna shines by itself, without the need for mayonnaise or other creamy condiments.

    Is bagged tuna better than canned? ›

    Different tuna brands, whether pouched or canned, will provide varying nutrition. Some will be lower in sodium, while others will be higher in fats due to being packaged in oil. However, a pouch of tuna usually contains more meat than canned. This is due to the additional weight of water in the canned variety.

    What canned tuna to avoid? ›

    Out of the two most popular types of canned tuna — chunk light tuna and chunk white tuna — chunk white tuna has the highest levels of mercury. Mercury levels in chunk white tuna, such as albacore, can be up to three times higher than those found in "light" canned tuna products.

    When should you not eat tuna? ›

    If you are pregnant, avoid canned tuna altogether.

    You can get omega-3 fatty acids from other seafood that are low in mercury, such as oysters, salmon, and sardines. Those are particularly high in omega-3s, but other low-mercury fish—scallops, shrimp, squid, and tilapia—supply some as well.

    What canned tuna has the lowest mercury levels? ›

    If you're concerned about limiting the amount of mercury you consume, and if you've eaten no other fish during the week, Consumer Reports says up to 12 ounces a week of Bumble Bee Chunk Light, Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light, Safe Catch Wild Elite, and StarKist Chunk Light tunas are the safer choices among the products ...

    What is the black stuff in my tuna? ›

    It is a muscle that is rich in myoglobin, a blood pigment. But lest that sound creepy to you, bear in mind that myoglobin is the same iron-containing pigment that makes red meat red. You can leave it in when you cook the fish: the stronger flavor of that one area will not affect the rest of the fish.

    Is canned tuna 100% tuna? ›

    Even though these shelf-stable cans all contain 100% tuna, some minor differences might affect your chosen preference. Beyond the minor health discrepancies, depending on your taste buds, you may prefer one variety of canned tuna over another.

    What fish is used as fake tuna? ›

    According to Insider Edition, white tuna is frequently swapped out with the escolar fish, "which is sometimes referred to as the 'Ex-Lax Fish' because it can be hard to digest and cause intestinal problems." Backing this up, Olmsted's book claims a whopping 94% of the time you order tuna at a restaurant, you are ...

    Which is better, tuna in oil or water? ›

    If you'll be flavoring your tinned fish, reach for water-packed. You may believe that, nutritionally, the better choice is tuna packed in water because it contains fewer calories than tuna packed in oil. Tuna in oil, however, is higher in bone-healthy vitamin D and selenium, which helps your body fight infections.

    Is canned tuna just as healthy? ›

    Myth: Canned tuna is less nutritious

    Unfortunately, fish receives the same poor reputation as soon as it gets heat-sealed in aluminum. There are massive nutritional benefits associated with eating fish, and canned tuna is a great way to incorporate it into your diet.

    Which tastes better tuna in oil or tuna in water? ›

    In the end, it comes down to taste: Tuna packed in water will be more neutral and, well, watery, while olive oil will have some peppery richness that can complement that tuna.

    What are the pros and cons of eating canned tuna? ›

    Canned Tuna

    Tuna is not a significant source of sugar or carbohydrates. Health benefits of eating tuna include preventing anemia, reducing the risk of dementia, and supporting healthy blood sugar levels. Like other canned foods, tuna can be high in sodium, so check the label for low sodium or salt-free options.

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