21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (2024)

Notice how canned tuna is almost always on the top 10 list of everyone’s most valuable pantry staples. Not only is tuna a cheap and convenient source of protein, it’s also SOOOO versatile. Canned tuna is also low in calories and fat and full of nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. And thanks to TikTok, tinned fish is having a bit of a moment as one of the top food trends of 2023.

You can make everything from tuna sandwiches to tuna melts to tuna risotto and more. And after the icky news about fake sushi, you may even want to try your hand at making your own sushi stacks and sushi burgers at home too. Here are our favorite canned tuna recipes that are so tasty, they’ll make you look at the humble can or jar of tuna with new respect.

Harissa-Spiced Tomato, Kalamata Olive, and Tuna Pasta

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (1)

If you haven't tried pairing canned tuna with your favorite pasta dish, you're seriously missing out. We love this Fishwife recipe that leverages their smoked albacore tuna and a delicious array of Italian ingredients.

Sriracha Tuna Salad Wraps

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (2)

When you’re wracking your brain for what to do with canned tuna that will travel well to the office for lunch, don’t overlook the humble wrap. The Sriracha mayo is the star of this show — it really takes tuna salad to the next level. (via Chelsea’s Messy Apron)

Tuna Stuffed Avocados

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (3)

Live Eat Learn

For a light and satisfying lunch, try remixing this vegan chickpea "tuna" salad recipe with your go-to canned tuna. This dish also makes a for perfect appetizer or side dish as you can stuff the avocados with a variety of fillings to delight your guests. (via Live Eat Learn)

Tuna “Sushi” Stacks

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (4) This isn’t really sushi, since the tuna isn’t raw, but it definitely curbs the sushi craving. Pro Tip: Tuna packed in pure olive oil holds the stack together well and gives everything a rich, fresh fish flavor. (via Chelsea’s Messy Apron)

Spicy Tuna Fishcake With Cucumber Salad

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (5) This Thai take on the tuna fishcake packs a spicy punch. Big flavors of lemon grass, ginger and chili go — POW! — right in the taste buds. (via Krumpli)

Avocado Tuna Bagel Melts

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (6)

Wondering whatever happened to the open-faced bagel sammie? It’s still around, and looking yummier than ever thanks to this simple canned tuna recipe. Let’s be real — sometimes, you just NEED cheesy, carby, comfort foods right now. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Spicy Tuna Roll

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (7) If you have rice, nori sheets, canned tuna and mayo, you’ve got the fixin’s for spicy tuna sushi rolls. This is the recipe to have on hand during nighttime Netflix binges when the *hangries* come calling. (via Pickled Plum)

Albacore Buddha Bowls

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (8) This big bowl full of yum calls for leftovers you probably have in your fridge and pantry. The lemon vinaigrette ties everything together with a real zing. (via The View From Great Island)

Asian Tuna Melt Nachos

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (9) An Asian take on nachos? Believe it! Nutty sesame oil in this tuna salad pairs AH-MAZINGLY well with cheesy, crunchy homemade corn tortillas. (via Healthy Nibbles & Bits)

Fried Tuna Po’Boy

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (10) This Cajun take on a tuna sammy is absolute genius. There’s nothing like fried seafood on a hoagie with a drizzle of remoulade to fill your belly in the most satisfying way. (via Eatin’ on the Cheap)

Tuna Sesame Patties

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (11)

These Asian-inspired tuna patties come together quickly in the food processor. Coated with nutty sesame seeds and pan-fried to crisp perfection, they are SERIOUSLY tasty. (via Sugar et al)

These Canned Tuna Recipes Are So Easy & Delicious

Sheet Pan Sourdough Tuna Melts

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (12) These toasty melts are oozing two kinds of cheese. Baking them on a sheet means you can easily turn a batch out for a crowd at your next gathering. (via Aberdeen’s Kitchen)

Homemade Tuna Noodle Casserole

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (13) Get ready to ride the foodie time machine, because this tuna noodle casserole will really take you back. This recipe is adapted for adult tastebuds, so prepare to meet your new fave throwback recipe. (via 2Teaspoons)

Thai Tuna Power Bowl

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (14) If you’re into the big cook-up for the week, you can’t go wrong making power bowls for lunch because they keep so well. The Thai peanut dressing is the pièce de résistance, bringing MAJOR umami to your bowl. (via A Cookie Named Desire)

Rice With Spring Onion Pesto and Tuna Meatballs

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (15) You’ve never tasted meatballs like this before! Stuffed with pesto rice, they’re so good that your taste buds will be doing the happy dance for sure. (via Sugar et al)

Tuna and Veggie Stuffed Zucchini Boats

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (16)

These veggie boats come together quickly and call for just five ingredients that you probably have on hand. This canned tuna recipe is a perfect meal for those nights when you have to work late and come home ravenous. (via The Blond Cook)

Tuna Melt Mini Quiches

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (17) These bite-sized tuna quiches look sophisticated, but they’re super easy to make and are so very impressive. They’d be a perfect appetizer for a special-occasion brunch or reception, but your game night gang would also gobble them up. (via The Flavor Bender)

Tuna Melt Stuffed Peppers

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (18)

This low carb canned tuna recipe will be ready in just under 30 minutes. If you're cooking for one, this is a great dish to meal prep for a week of lunches as well. (via Feel Good Foodie)

Savory Rice and Tuna Fish Cakes With Chipotle Aioli

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (19) This chili pepper aioli may be the best thing to ever happen to canned tuna. And the risotto inside fries up so light and puffy — they’re like little pillows of delicious goodness. (via Girl and the Kitchen)

Spicy Chunky Tuna Sandwich

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (20) Sometimes you just crave the comfort of a tuna sammy — amiright? This one is destined to become your new fave. That nice crusty roll holds the mandatory tasty mayo SOOOO fabulously. (via Two Purple Figs)

Homemade Tuna Sushi Stacks with Mango Salsa

21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (21)

These sushi stacks are fancy AF, but super-easy to pull off. Everyone at the table will be so impressed.

Love these canned tuna recipes and looking for more trending food content? Follow us on Pinterest for the best recipes.

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21 *Genius* Canned Tuna Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind (2024)

FAQs

What can I put in tuna besides mayo? ›

Best tuna salad without mayo

Instead, we use a combination of Greek yogurt, lemon, and Dijon mustard to mimic the tangy flavor of mayo with half the amount of calories. This healthy tuna salad is light, simple, and easy to make.

How healthy is canned tuna? ›

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.

Which is healthier tuna in water or oil? ›

Oil vs Water

Tuna packed in water will contain fewer calories and less fat but also allows for the loss of omega 3 fatty acids to occur. Water-packed also dilutes the natural juices and flavors contained within the fish and can lead to a more rounded and less refined taste.

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.

What is the healthiest way to eat canned tuna? ›

Healthy tuna recipes
  1. Tangy tuna burgers. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  2. Spinach omelette. A star rating of 2.8 out of 5. ...
  3. Tuna & butterbean salad. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  4. Storecupboard tuna bean salad. ...
  5. Spicy tuna quinoa salad. ...
  6. Tuna Niçoise protein pot. ...
  7. Healthy tuna pasta. ...
  8. Asparagus & tuna salad.

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 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 can I add to tuna to make it taste better? ›

Lemon pepper, olive oil, minced garlic if you have it. I love making tuna melts. I put a bunch of celery, lemon zest, green onion, dill, and chives, and lemon juice and just a touch of Mayo (I don't like Mayo) together with some salt and pepper.

How do you spice up tuna? ›

Switch up your spices

If you don't have one of these on hand, just pick a savory spice you enjoy and try adding it to the tuna mixture; anything from garlic powder to coriander, cumin, or sumac will amp up your tuna melt.

What can I eat with tuna instead of bread? ›

Low-Carb: If you want to omit the bread, serve the tuna salad in a scooped out red bell pepper, hollowed out cucumber, or use an iceberg lettuce wrap. Herbs: If you want to add fresh herbs, parsley or chives can be added.

How much canned tuna can you safely eat in a week? ›

Canned light tuna is in the “Best Choices” category and it is fine to eat 2 to 3 servings per week. We recommend that you eat a variety of fish. You may wish to try other affordable fish in the “Best Choices” category such as canned salmon or sardines, frozen fish, or fresh fish that are at a reduced price. 3.

Is mayonnaise good or bad for you? ›

Mayonnaise's nutritional profile is a mix of both healthy and not-so-healthy aspects. While it contains healthy fats from oil and essential nutrients from egg yolks, it can also be high in calories and saturated fats. Moderation is key when consuming mayonnaise to avoid negative health impacts.

How many cans of tuna can you eat in a day? ›

Since tuna is relatively high in mercury, one can per day would bring you to the FDA suggested maximum amount of mercury. Having more than that on occasion may not be a problem, but you are at risk of getting low dose sustained mercury poisoning.

How do you eat canned tuna if you don't like it? ›

Work up a really strong appetite. Wait until you are very hungry. Open the can, and put the tuna on a small plate, season it with salt and pepper and try eating it. It will be somewhat more palatable but not completely - its not going to be caviar.

How do you make canned tuna not taste fishy? ›

As simple as it sounds, adding a sprinkle of sugar to your canned fish can help diminish the more pungent flavors for which tuna is known — but not always loved — while letting the other ingredients in your salad and sandwich recipes shine.

How do you eat tuna if you don't like the taste? ›

Good quality tuna-wthout oil— should not taste very fishy, but you can put into a dish, flake it out and pour over it some good quality olive oil. Let it rest a while and then make tuna salad with plenty of chopped celery, olives and red onion.

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