13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

I always have cans of tuna in the pantry as it’s affordable, convenient, and protein-packed! Below, I’m sharing 13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes that you can make for healthy lunch or dinner ideas any day of the week.

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (1)

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (2)

Best Canned Tuna Recipes

Nothing beats the cost and convenience of canned tuna for high-protein meals on a budget. It’s an inexpensive, low-carb ingredient I always have stocked in the pantry for last-minute meals. If you’re looking for inspiration, or if you’ve never fully embraced the potential of canned tuna before, I’m here to help you out.

Why Use Canned Tuna?

If canned tuna has been flying under your radar, I’m sure you’re not alone. I swear, canned tuna isn’t just for underground bunkers and noodle casseroles from the 1950s! Canned tuna is:

  • Super convenient. From quick lunches to afternoon snacks, canned tuna makes last-minute meals for busy weeknights a breeze. It’s one of my must-have pantry staples, and after today, you’ll be armed with plenty of recipes to turn cans of tuna into something healthy and delicious.
  • Budget-friendly. Most cans of tuna offer good bang for your buck. You get loads of protein, minerals, and vitamins per can, and it’s relatively inexpensive. Plus, canned tuna is non-perishable, so you can buy it in bulk, too.
  • Versatile. There’s so much more that you can make with canned tuna, above and beyond your average tuna fish sandwich. Below you’ll find tasty recipes for salads, lettuce wraps, comfort food casseroles, and even ceviche. All made with canned tuna!

13 Healthy Recipes with Canned Tuna

There are so many ways to turn your basic can of tuna into delicious, healthy meals that are anything but basic! I’ve rounded up some of my best tuna recipes below:

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (3)

Open Faced Tuna Sandwich with Avocado

As you’ll see on this list, my favorite way to make tuna salad sandwiches is open-faced. It leaves loads of space for veggie-filled tuna salad, and in this case, avocado slices and sprouts.

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (4)

Canned Tuna Ceviche

Ceviche always has a sort of fancy ring to it, but this easy homemade ceviche recipe is actually the easiest lunch or snack! It’s made with canned tuna that’s zested up with tomatoes, lime juice, cilantro, chilies, and avocado.

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (5)

Tuna Croquettes

Whether you cook them in the oven or in the air fryer, these quick and savory tuna croquettes come out irresistibly crispy and delicious. They’re sort of like tuna patties, packed with protein-rich canned tuna, potato, and dill, and perfect for dipping! Add them to bowls to make them a meal.

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (6)

Tuna Pasta Salad

Love pasta salad, but not so fond of mayonnaise? This nutritious and easy tuna macaroni salad recipe has you covered. This recipe is filled with leafy green arugula, parmesan, and capers, tossed with whole wheat pasta and canned chunks of tuna in a zesty no-mayo dressing.

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (7)

Tuna Egg Salad

Quick, high-protein meals and lunches don’t get better than this light and satisfying egg salad bulked up with canned tuna and red onion. It’s the best of two classic salads, tasty on its own and just as yummy between two slices of whole wheat!

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (8)

Tuna Noodle Casserole

No canned tuna list would be complete without a classic tuna noodle casserole. Skip the cream of mushroom soup, I’ve lightened mine up with a few simple ingredient swaps. This tuna casserole is a comforting, healthy family meal packed with loads of flavor and nutrition (for under $10!).

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (9)

Open-Faced Tuna Melt Sandwich

What can I say? I just love an open-faced sandwich. This tuna melt is one of my favorites! Pile slices of whole wheat high with healthy tuna salad and veggies over a bed of melted cheese, for a fast and easy lunch on busy weekdays.

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (10)

Tuna Salad Wraps

This tuna salad recipe is made with nutrient-rich broccoli, crunchy celery, and just a touch of light mayo. Spoon it over crisp endive leaves (or even crackers if you’d like) for a refreshing, healthy snack.

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (11)

Tuna Salad Deviled Eggs

Add extra protein to your classic deviled eggs recipe! Mix up canned tuna with creamy yolks, onions, and mayo, and then pile your filling into a protein-packed hard-boiled egg. Perfect for on-the-go lunches!

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (12)

Chickpea Tuna Salad

This chickpea tuna salad is an all-in-one, healthy lunch idea that’s quick to make and tastes super light and fresh. Chickpeas add hearty fiber to this flavorful tuna salad with capers, kept light with no mayo. If you're not a chickpea fan, use white beans instead!

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (13)

Italian Tuna and Brown Rice Salad (Riso e Tonno)

Italian riso e tonno is a healthy and inexpensive lunch made with canned tuna and nutritious brown rice. Everything gets mixed together with capers, olives, and crisp frozen veggies, then drizzled with lemon juice.

Get the Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (14)

Tomato Tuna Melts

While you’re at it, skip the bread altogether and make a wildly tasty tuna melt stuffed inside a juicy ripe tomato! Transform a fresh and healthy tuna salad into a light, easy lunch topped with melty cheddar cheese.

View Recipe

13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (15)

Tuna Lettuce Wrap with Avocado Yogurt Dressing

Swap your tortilla wrap for leafy lettuce with these easy low-carb tuna lettuce wraps made with fresh vegetables and topped with creamy Greek yogurt avocado dressing.

Get the Recipe

How Healthy Is Canned Tuna?

Canned tuna has bucketloads of benefits. It’s low in calories and relatively cheap while being high in protein and rich in B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D, and nutrients like omega-3s. Plus, it keeps forever in the pantry (OK, maybe not forever. But some cans will last for up to 2 years or more!). When shopping for tuna, you can also opt for healthier options, like brands with less salt added, or tuna that’s canned in water instead of oil.

What Is the Best Canned Tuna to Buy?

One of the downsides of canned tuna is sustainability and over-fishing. That, and another concern is mercury levels. Your best bet when buying canned tuna is to choose certified sustainable brands, like Wild Planet. Stick with canned varieties that are low in mercury, like light or skipjack tuna.

More Easy Lunches and Light Meals

Hungry for even more healthy, protein-packed fish recipes and light meal ideas? Definitely check out the recipe finder for more inspiration.

Categories:

  • Budget Friendly Meals
  • Fish Recipes
  • Low Fat Recipes
  • Recipe Roundups
  • Weight Watchers – WW Recipes
13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes - High Protein, Healthy Meal Ideas! (2024)

FAQs

How to eat canned tuna for protein? ›

13 Healthy Recipes with Canned Tuna
  1. Open Faced Tuna Sandwich with Avocado. As you'll see on this list, my favorite way to make tuna salad sandwiches is open-faced. ...
  2. Canned Tuna Ceviche. ...
  3. Tuna Croquettes. ...
  4. Tuna Pasta Salad. ...
  5. Tuna Egg Salad. ...
  6. Tuna Noodle Casserole. ...
  7. Open-Faced Tuna Melt Sandwich. ...
  8. Tuna Salad Wraps.
Jun 9, 2023

What can I mix with a can of tuna? ›

To keep it hot, mix a can into pasta sauce as you heat it; we love tuna in a classic tomato sauce, but you can also go simple with a no-cook sauce, combing tuna with olive oil, capers, olives, and herbs for a salsa verde approach. Or you can stir it into mac-and-cheese for a creamy, tuna casserole.

Is one can of tuna enough protein for a day? ›

Is tuna a good source of protein? Tuna is considered an excellent source of protein, meaning a 2oz serving of tuna contains about 20% of the Daily Value. 7.

Is tuna better than eggs for protein? ›

1 large egg = approximately 7g protein. 100g tuna = approximately 30g protein.

Is tuna better than chicken for protein? ›

Each 100 g serving of chicken breast contains 21.2 g of protein, which is approximately 74 percent of the total calories in the dish. A serving of tuna steak contains 23.3 g of protein, which is approximately 65 percent of the calories in the fish.

What is the healthiest thing to eat with tuna? ›

Broccoli Avocado Tuna Bowl

Ingredients like avocado slices, broccoli, rice (or cauliflower rice), sunflower seeds, and canned tuna give this tuna bowl a ton of protein, fiber, and healthy fats—a combination that can help with satiety and feeling full until your next meal.

What can I add to tuna instead of mayonnaise? ›

Use yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter salad. Use extra-virgin olive oil instead of mayo for a looser salad. Use canned salmon, smoked trout, or leftover chicken in place of the tuna. Add diced apples, raisins, or dried fruit to the basic recipe.

What pairs well with tuna? ›

Green salad is always on standby to pair with your tuna steak, but here are 12 quick and easy sides that are worth considering too.
  • Beans 'n Greens. ...
  • Roasted Green Beans with Walnuts. ...
  • Wild Rice Fried Rice. ...
  • Cherry Tomato Salad. ...
  • Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry. ...
  • Simple & Succulent Edamame. ...
  • Korean BBQ Mushrooms. ...
  • 8. Japanese Mushroom Rice.
Sep 28, 2023

Which brand of canned tuna has the most protein? ›

Scout Wild White Albacore Tuna

Scout's albacore tuna is wild-caught between Oregon and British Columbia. It is naturally low in mercury, high in protein (30 grams per can), and rich in Omega-3s.

What's good to mix with canned tuna? ›

Tuna Salad Spread: Add Avocado, Greek Yogurt, Herbs & Spices. This healthy twist on tuna salad uses avocado and Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise. Serve it on cucumber slices, butter lettuce leaves or whole-grain crackers.

What is the best seasoning for tuna? ›

Best Organic Individual Spices for Making Tuna

Use smoked paprika for a more grilled flavor. Organic Black Malabar Pepper: A classic pairing for a simple seared tuna steak. Organic coriander Powder: Offers a lemony, floral note, excellent for an exotic twist.

What is the best sauce for canned tuna? ›

Mayonnaise. Although I replace the majority of the mayo with yogurt, I still use a little bit to keep the creaminess. You could also replace it with additional Greek yogurt, however this will add more tanginess/bitter notes. Sriracha hot sauce.

How do bodybuilders eat canned tuna? ›

Tuna salad.

Again very simple, just put whatever amount of tuna you wish to eat into a bowl, shred some lettuce, grate some carrots, dice up some tomato, and even add a little chopped-up pieces of low-fat cheese and add pepper (if desired).

How many times a week can I eat safe catch tuna? ›

For most healthy adults, it's recommended to consume at least 2 servings of fish per week, which can include tuna.

How much canned tuna is safe to eat per 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.

Can you eat canned tuna straight from the can? ›

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.

Top Articles
Don't Sell Your Nintendo Switch Before Reading This Guide
All teasers, skins, and leaks for Fortnite Chapter 5 season 2
Funny Roblox Id Codes 2023
Craigslist St. Paul
His Lost Lycan Luna Chapter 5
Identifont Upload
Limp Home Mode Maximum Derate
Words From Cactusi
Corporate Homepage | Publix Super Markets
PGA of America leaving Palm Beach Gardens for Frisco, Texas
Osrs Blessed Axe
What Was D-Day Weegy
Explore Top Free Tattoo Fonts: Style Your Ink Perfectly! 🖌️
The ULTIMATE 2023 Sedona Vortex Guide
Hilo Hi Craigslist
Harem In Another World F95
V-Pay: Sicherheit, Kosten und Alternativen - BankingGeek
18889183540
We Discovered the Best Snow Cone Makers for Carnival-Worthy Desserts
Aliciabibs
Essence Healthcare Otc 2023 Catalog
fft - Fast Fourier transform
Giantbodybuilder.com
Mynahealthcare Login
Bend Missed Connections
Albertville Memorial Funeral Home Obituaries
In hunt for cartel hitmen, Texas Ranger's biggest obstacle may be the border itself (2024)
Elijah Streams Videos
10 Best Quotes From Venom (2018)
417-990-0201
Spy School Secrets - Canada's History
Nail Salon Open On Monday Near Me
Police Academy Butler Tech
Autozone Locations Near Me
Craigs List Jonesboro Ar
Die Filmstarts-Kritik zu The Boogeyman
The Best Restaurants in Dublin - The MICHELIN Guide
Barber Gym Quantico Hours
15 Best Things to Do in Roseville (CA) - The Crazy Tourist
Puretalkusa.com/Amac
Electric Toothbrush Feature Crossword
Traumasoft Butler
Ssc South Carolina
Vagicaine Walgreens
Mega Millions Lottery - Winning Numbers & Results
Strange World Showtimes Near Marcus La Crosse Cinema
Haunted Mansion Showtimes Near Millstone 14
CPM Homework Help
Barback Salary in 2024: Comprehensive Guide | OysterLink
Minute Clinic Mooresville Nc
Spn 3464 Engine Throttle Actuator 1 Control Command
Access One Ummc
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5674

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.