26 Canned Tuna Recipes That Are Surprisingly Awesome (2024)

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26 Canned Tuna Recipes That Are Surprisingly Awesome (1)

By Alexia Dellner

Published Apr 6, 2020

Additional reporting by

Hannah Loewentheil

We know what you’re thinking: Canned tuna isn’t exactly the sexiest ingredient on the planet. But it is incredibly versatile, not to mention packed full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and probably sitting in the back of your pantry right now. Here are 26 exciting canned tuna recipes that go way beyond salads and casseroles (although we’ve got plenty of tasty options for those, too).

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1. Cheesy Avocado Bagel Tuna Melts

Made with not one but two types of cheese. (Plus avocado, tomatoes and arugula, oh my.)

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

2. 15-minute Mediterranean Couscous With Tuna And Pepperoncini

A mouthwatering recipe using things you probably already have in your pantry. If only all meals were this easy.

Get the recipe

3. Picante Tuna Salad Tacos

Fish tacos are delicious but kind of a pain to make. Not these guys, however. Canned tuna is mixed with crunchy vegetables, jalapeño and cilantro for a salad that’s great on its own but especially tasty when stuffed into a tortilla.

4. Spicy Tuna Roll Bowl

Don’t mind us—we’re just going to pretend we’re eating this in Hawaii while drinking from a coconut and taking in the ocean view.

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5. Tuna Pasta Bake

Your grandma’s tuna casserole gets a flavorful twist in this cheesy, tomato-based version that’s seasoned with tons of fragrant herbs.

6. Italian Orzo Tuna Salad

Everything you think you know about tuna salad is wrong. Don’t believe us? Try this mayo-free version that’s fresh, zesty and just the right amount of crunchy.

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7. Paleo Tuna Cakes

Crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside fish cakes paired with a red pepper sauce. We’ll take six, please.

8. Lentil Greek Salad With Dill Sauce

An excellent (not to mention ridiculously easy) way to use up two pantry staples in one delicious meal.

9. Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake

Now that’s what we call comfort food. (But don’t worry—some vegetables are hidden in there.)

ARAN GOYOAGA/CANNELLE ET VANILLE

10. Aran Goyoaga’s Niçoise Salad

It’s a classic for a reason. But food photographer Goyoaga elevates this crowd-pleaser by adding fried capers and dill. Classy.

Get the recipe

11. Spicy Tuna Spiralized Spring Vegetable Salad

Spiralized turnips and cucumbers are tossed in a chili-garlic sauce for a healthy dish that’s ready in just ten minutes.

12. Five-minute Spicy Tuna Rolls

Introducing the easiest one-bite snack for keto lovers (and everyone else).

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13. Watermelon Radish Tuna Tostadas

Who says canned tuna can’t be sophisticated? Don’t skimp on the Trader Joe’s “Everything but the Bagel” seasoning—it really takes this pretty snack up a notch.

14. Tuna Pasta Salad

A creamy dressing that’s not at all gloopy, thanks to lemon juice, fresh dill and pickle relish.

15. Healthy Tuna Bake With Butternut Squash

Delicious with pasta, rice, a hunk of crusty bread or just eaten on its own straight out of the pan. (No judgement.)

16. Tuna Egg Salad

This zesty salad belongs stuffed into a pita or enveloped by a tortilla.

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17. Dill Tuna And Chickpea Appetizer Bites With Lemon Caper Mayo

These adorable bites are gluten- and dairy-free and can be enjoyed hot or cold. See? We told you canned tuna was versatile.

18. Tuna Salad And Chickpea Stuffed Avocado

Tuna, avocado and chickpeas—what’s not to love? Not to mention that these little avocado boats are freakin’ adorable.

19. Tuscan Tuna Sandwich

Take a trip to Tuscany without leaving your couch with this hearty sandwich that’s packed full of Mediterranean flavors—briny olives, sun-dried tomatoes, crunchy veggies and feta cheese.

20. Tuna Hotdish

This tuna casserole is ready and on the table in just eight minutes. (It’s also paleo-friendly, if that’s your thing.)

21. Cajun Tuna Casserole

Made with a few of our favorite things: bacon, cheese, red peppers and plenty of spice.

23. Tuscan Tuna Melts

Our go-to sandwich gets a serious upgrade thanks to sun-dried tomatoes, Manchego cheese, arugula leaves and pickled onions.

24. Temaki Sushi

Made with creamy roasted sesame dressing, avocado and baby butterhead lettuce for a low-carb dish that tastes as good as it looks.

25. Tostada De Atun

Once you’ve got the basics, make this dish your own by adding whatever you have lying around the kitchen (diced mango, sliced jicama or corn kernels would all make great additions).

26. Cuban-style Tuna Meal-prep Bowls

Who would have thought that plantain chips and tuna were a match made in heaven?

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26 Canned Tuna Recipes That Are Surprisingly Awesome (27)

Alexia Dellner

Executive Editor

Alexia Dellner is an executive editor at PureWow who has over ten years of experience covering a broad range of topics including health, wellness, travel, family, culture and...

read full bio

26 Canned Tuna Recipes That Are Surprisingly Awesome (28)

Hannah Loewentheil

Freelance PureWow Editor

From 2015-2017 Hannah Loewentheil held the role of Editor covering entertainment, food, travel and all things nyc.

read full bio

26 Canned Tuna Recipes That Are Surprisingly Awesome (2024)

FAQs

How to make canned tuna good? ›

My general go to tuna combos are:
  1. tuna and mayo with or without pickles or celery.
  2. tuna and mayo with curry powder and chopped celery and dried or fresh fruit.
  3. tuna and broccoli dressed in mayo or olive oil and garlic.
  4. tuna and white beans and celery and /or parsley dressed in olive oil and vinegar.
Jun 26, 2018

What mixes well with canned tuna? ›

  • Tuna Cakes: Add Eggs, Herbs & Breadcrumbs. Antonis Achilleos. ...
  • One-Pot Pasta: Add Pasta, Olives & Lemon. Joy Howard. ...
  • Tuna Melt: Add Greek Yogurt, Veggies, Cheese & Bread. Joy Howard. ...
  • Niçoise Salad: Add Potatoes, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Green Beans & Dressing. ...
  • Tuna Salad Spread: Add Avocado, Greek Yogurt, Herbs & Spices.
Aug 19, 2022

What can I eat with tuna to lose weight? ›

Because the goal is weight loss, you must remember to keep the carbohydrate content low. So out of the options, the safest ones are tuna salad with fresh greens and sashimi, or mixing them with brown rice, which has higher fiber, vitamin, and mineral contents.

What can I add to canned tuna besides mayo? ›

12 Delicious Substitutes For Mayo In Your Tuna Salad
  1. Greek yogurt. Maslova Valentina/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Avocado. Irina Rostokina/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Hummus. Tempura/Getty Images. ...
  4. Olive oil. Maryia_K/Shutterstock. ...
  5. Dijon mustard. Stepanek Photography/Shutterstock. ...
  6. Ranch dressing. RebeccaDLev/Shutterstock. ...
  7. Sour cream. ...
  8. Cottage cheese.
Jan 24, 2024

Do you rinse canned tuna before eating? ›

Rinse sodium-containing canned foods, such as beans, tuna, and vegetables before eating. This removes some of the sodium. Canned fish is often packed in oil or water.

Can you eat canned tuna straight up? ›

If you're a fan of canned tuna, you'll be happy to know it's safe and ready to eat straight out of the can since it is pre-cooked for your convenience. Canned tuna is a wonderful seafood option, considering not everyone has access to fresh fish, not to mention it's super affordable.

Can I eat tuna every day? ›

Canned tuna typically contains either albacore or skipjack tuna, and cans are usually marked as either “albacore” or “chunk light.” Albacore tuna typically has higher concentrations of mercury than chunk light tuna and should be eaten only once or twice a week. Chunk light tuna is safe to eat two or three times a week.

What is the healthiest canned tuna? ›

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's better with tuna mayo or Miracle Whip? ›

More viscous or fluid products may cause a more 'wet' tuna salad.” Less popular for tuna salad among our experts but still mayo MVPs, Kewpie and Miracle Whip both have distinct flavors that don't work as well with tuna, one more savory (Kewpie) and one sweeter (Miracle Whip).

What seasonings taste good on canned tuna? ›

Some basic seasonings to use for canned tuna include salt, black pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro.

Can I lose belly fat eating tuna? ›

Tuna not only improves the metabolic rate in individuals but also increases bodily functions to keep you energetic, active, and healthy. For example, eating tuna after a workout will help you to maintain your energy while reducing belly fat due to the high-thermic effect. This fish is a complete protein.

Is canned tuna good for losing belly fat? ›

Tuna is a great weight-loss food thanks to its high protein content. In addition to providing amino acids that your body can use to build muscle tissue — a process that boosts your metabolism — protein helps with weight loss because of its high thermic effect.

What is the 3 day tuna diet? ›

For 3 days, you eat 1 to 1.5 grams of protein (in the form of tuna) per pound of body weight, and you drink 2 to 4 liters of water. The diet is extremely restrictive and could cause all kinds of short- and long-term side effects as well as nutrient deficiencies.

What can I add to tuna to make it taste good? ›

In a medium bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, celery, onion, relish, lemon juice, and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like ½ teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper). Serve immediately or cover and chill until serving.

What is the tuna can challenge? ›

You can do a “tuna can” test to determine how long you should water your lawn in your given situation. 1. Place eight flat-bottomed cans, such as tuna cans or pet food cans, or coffee mugs randomly throughout your lawn. Inexpensive rain gauges may also be used.

How to make tuna taste good without mayo reddit? ›

Use plain yogurt instead of mayo, a squirt of mustard , add some boiled eggs chopped , a little sweet pickle relish, celery ,onion, salt , pepper, little green pepper if like , toast keto bread, lettuce , and tomato on bread tablespoon or more of tuna salad. Sugar free iced tea with lemon. Enjoy .

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