What Is Tuna, canned and How Can I Use It?
Here's everything worth knowing about tuna, canned and how to pick it, what it is, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 102 recipes to cook tonight.
Key Points
- Cooked, shelf-stable tuna in cans and pouches, ready to eat the moment you open it.
- Light tuna is skipjack and stronger; white tuna is albacore, paler, milder, and pricier.
- Oil pack is richer for pasta; water pack is leaner and the default for mayo salad.
- Solid cuts hold large flakes for salads; chunk and flaked suit anything you bind.
- Drives quick sandwiches, melts, quiches, and casseroles; over-stirring turns it to paste.
What is tuna, canned?
Canned tuna is tuna that has been cooked and sealed in a can or pouch, ready to eat the moment you open it. It is one of the most useful pantry proteins around: cheap, shelf-stable for years, and the base of a quick lunch.
Most cans are skipjack, sold as "light" tuna, with a darker color and a stronger flavor. Albacore is sold as "white" tuna, paler and milder and usually pricier. For sandwiches and salads either works. Where the fish is the star, white tuna reads a little cleaner.
Oil pack or water pack
The packing liquid changes the result more than people expect. Oil-packed tuna is richer and more tender, and it carries flavor well, so it does best in pasta or on its own with a squeeze of lemon.
Water-packed tuna is leaner and milder. It lets you control the fat you add, which is why it is the default for a mayo-bound tuna salad.
Drain either one well before using. Oil-packed tuna left wet makes a salad greasy; water-packed tuna left wet makes a casserole soupy.
Chunk or solid
Cans also come in different cuts. Solid (or "solid white") is one firm piece that breaks into large flakes, the choice when you want the tuna to look like fish, as in a salad Nicoise.
Chunk is smaller broken pieces, fine for anything you mix and bind. Flaked is the most broken and the cheapest, best for casseroles and dips where texture does not matter.
What to make with it
Canned tuna is built for fast, comforting food. It folds into mayonnaise and celery for a Tuna Salad Sandwich and bakes into a Crustless Tuna Quiche.
The old standby, a Hearty Tuna Casserole with noodles and a cream sauce, lives entirely on the canned form. Even a Simple Barbecue Tuna Wrap starts with a drained can.
It plays well with mayonnaise, celery, red onion, hard-cooked egg, lemon, capers, and dill. A pinch of acid wakes it up, because tuna out of the can is a little flat on its own.
The most common mistake is overworking it. Stir tuna salad too hard and the flakes turn to paste. Fold gently and stop while you can still see pieces.
Buying and storing
Unopened cans and pouches keep for years in a cool cupboard, well past the best-by date in practice, as long as the can is sound. Toss any that are bulging or leaking. Pouches skip the draining step and pack more fish per ounce, which some cooks prefer.
Once opened, never store tuna in the open can. Move leftovers to a covered container in the fridge and use within a day or two.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup, solid or chunks (154g)Quick facts
Where to find tuna, canned: Tuna, canned is usually found in the canned goods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Tuna, canned is a member of the Finfish and Shellfish Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 金枪鱼罐头
- British (UK) term
- Tuna, canned
- en français
- thon en conserve
- en español
- atún enlatado
How much does tuna, canned weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup, solid or chunks | 154 grams |
| 1 ounce | 28 grams |
| 1 can | 165 grams |
| 3 ounce | 85 grams |
| 1 can (12.5 oz), drained | 315 grams |
Related
Finfish and Shellfish Products
Recipes using tuna, canned
There are 102 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Tuna-Casserole Supreme
Tuna Casserole Supreme is a quick and easy dish that combines pantry staples like canned soup, tuna for a comforting meal. It features a creamy, savory base with added crunch from water chestnuts and almonds, topped with cheese for a delightful texture contrast.
Crunchy Tuna Salad
Crunchy tuna salad with water chestnuts, celery, carrots, and green onions in a Dijon-soy mayo dressing. Asian-leaning twist on classic tuna salad. Ready in 10 minutes for lunch.
Justin's Tuna Salad
Quick and easy to put together, spoon the salad over toasted whole grain bread to make it even healthier, and it also tastes delicious.
Tuna Pomodoro
Very easy to put together, tastes delicious and it's packed with goodness as well. Perfect for a quick lunch or a no-fuss dinner.
The Best Tuna Salad
Use solid white tuna, not chunked tuna. To keep the tuna moist this recipe uses a quick marinade to allow the tuna to absorb the flavors.
Delicious Tuna Melt Sandwiches with Swiss Cheese & Apple
Inspired by Cat Caro's recipe, we made a few changes in our version. These deliciously filling sandwiches are also loaded with good-for-you ingredients. Perfect for a quick-fix lunch or dinner.
Chicken of the Caesar Wraps
Tuna (chicken of the sea) Caesar wraps. A crunchy healthy version of a Caesar salad wrapped up in a flour tortilla.
Simple Barbecue Tuna Wrap
It sounds weird, but it's really good! Not too unhealthy either. This only takes about 6 minutes to make. Great for a quick lunch for one!
Favorite Tuna Noodle Casserole
A hearty and scrumptious tuna casserole made with green peas and cream of mushroom soup.
Tuna Salad Sandwich
A quick, easy yet delicious tuna salad sandwich is ideal for a week-day lunch or supper.
Cable Car Tuna Casserole For Two
A much improved tuna casserole that's perfectly sized for two hearty servings. Cheesy creamy and packed with a variety of textures.
Pasta with Tuna, Broccoli, & Onion
Pasta shells with canned tuna, broccoli, lemon, parsley, and red onion. No-cook tuna sauce tossed with hot pasta and broccoli. Italian pantry weeknight dinner.
Hearty Tuna Casserole
An easy to make hearty colorful tuna casserole that's topped with zucchini and tomatoes.
Cable Car Tuna Casserole
Tuna casserole? Many will moan, but this recipe changes the image. Nice texture and crunch from the water chestnuts and the creamy sauce was wonderful. A real winner on this old classic.
Stove-Top Tuna Cakes
Enjoy these quick and easy Stove-Top Tuna Cakes, made with simple, hearty ingredients like canned tuna, breadcrumbs, and eggs. Ready in just 20 minutes, this budget-friendly recipe delivers crispy, flavorful patties perfect for a satisfying meal.
Crustless Tuna Quiche
An upscale low-carb, gluten-free version of an easy tuna casserole. Whip together an easy crustless tuna quiche with just cheese, eggs and milk.
Potato Chip Tuna Casserole
Easy tuna casserole with green peas, mushroom soup topped with potato chips/crisps.
Vitello Tonnato on Pasta
The classic Italian cold veal dish reimagined over pasta. Tender braised veal sliced thin over noodles tossed in a silky tuna-anchovy sauce with capers and parsley.
Fast & Fit Sunny Pizza Pie
Serve with lightly dressed salad greens, tossed with tomatoes, then finish with pineapple chunks spooned over yogurt.
Tunisian Eggplant Salad
Steamed eggplant and green pepper marinated in a garlic-oregano vinaigrette, then tossed with chunk tuna, fresh tomato, and crumbled feta over crisp greens. A bright, Mediterranean-style Tunisian salad that's hearty enough for a main course.
Fusilli Alla Sorrentina(Sorrento-Style Fusil
Fusilli alla Sorrentina with canned tuna, fresh tomatoes, black olives, white wine, garlic, and fresh mint. A quick Southern Italian pantry pasta.
Tuna & Potato Salad
An Italian-inspired tuna and new potato salad with green beans, dressed in pesto mayonnaise with mashed anchovies. Think salade niçoise meets Genoa in one bowl.
Warm Potato & Tuna Salad.
Warm potato and tuna salad with new potatoes, spring onions, lemon, tarragon vinegar, and fresh parsley. A light, no-mayo fish salad ready in 35 minutes.
Pink Rabbit
Pink Rabbit is a three-ingredient riff on Welsh Rarebit with tomato soup, melted cheese, and canned tuna heated together and spooned over buttered toast. Quick, creamy, and comforting.
Ok Corral Salad
OK Corral salad, a hearty cold pasta-and-tuna toss with pasta wheels, canned tuna, crisp radishes, and green bell pepper. Make-ahead potluck friendly.
Tuna Tapenade
Tuna tapenade with oil-packed tuna, black olives, capers, garlic, lemon juice, and a splash of dark rum blended smooth with olive oil. A Mediterranean spread for crudites or crackers.
Fettuccine with Tuna Sauce
Fettuccine with tuna sauce, sauteed red onion, garlic, and torn red lettuce tossed together warm. A quick pantry-friendly pasta dinner ready in 25 minutes.
Yellow & Red Bell Peppers Filled with Tuna & Capers
Roasted bell pepper rolls stuffed with tuna, capers, and parsley in a lemon-garlic olive oil marinade. An elegant Italian appetizer that can be assembled a day ahead.
Pasta with Tuna & Fresh Basil
Cold tuna pasta salad with ziti, fresh basil, red bell pepper, and lemon juice. A no-cook, five-ingredient summer main course that chills before serving.
Tuna Pizza with Dough
Tuna pizza on homemade bread machine dough with a sauteed tuna, mushroom, and tomato soup sauce topped with cheddar cheese. A unique pizza using pantry staples and a rosemary-oregano crust.
Turkey Tonnato Salad
Turkey tonnato salad with a creamy tuna-anchovy dressing over diced turkey, potatoes, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and olives. An Italian-inspired no-cook main.
Tuna Nicoise Topping
Baked Idaho potatoes loaded with a tuna nicoise salad of green beans, tomato, cucumber, and red pepper in a red wine vinaigrette, topped with diced egg and anchovies. A no-cook 20-minute meal.
Dilled Tuna Bake
Tuna casserole with dill cream sauce, peas, and golden biscuit topping. A cozy one-dish bake using pantry staples that comes together in under an hour.
Tuna Pitas with Yogurt & Mustard
Tuna salad pita pockets bound with yogurt and mustard instead of mayo, brightened with fresh dill. A lighter lunch option ready in 10 minutes.
Tuna Party Salad
Retro tuna party salad set in a chili sauce and gelatin mold with mayonnaise, whipped cream, olives, and celery. A vintage buffet showpiece that chills firm enough to slice.
Tuna's Total Triumph
Loaded tuna salad with crunchy walnuts, sweet pickles, and hard-boiled egg piled on toasted bagels with tomato and melted cheddar. Foil-wrapped and baked until bubbly, this hot tuna melt takes the classic sandwich to the next level.
Pizza Tuna Melt
Pizza tuna melt on pita bread with oil-packed tuna, mozzarella, fresh tomato, and basil baked until bubbly. A quick Italian-style open-faced tuna melt that's ready in 10 minutes.
Tuna Loaf
Pressure cooker tuna loaf with rice, buttered bread crumbs, pimento, and celery salt. Dense, savory, and cooked in just 30 minutes. A vintage comfort food main dish worth rediscovering.
Cheesy Tuna & Noodles
Ramen noodles leveled up with canned tuna, mixed vegetables, and melted mozzarella in a creamy mushroom sauce. This budget-friendly cheesy tuna and noodles skillet is comfort food that won't break the bank.
Tuna Fish, Mushrooms, & Celery
Creamy stovetop tuna with sauteed mushrooms and celery in a homemade white sauce. Diabetic-friendly comfort food from two cans of tuna and a handful of pantry basics in 45 minutes.
Tuna Nicoise Sandwich
Loaded tuna nicoise sandwich on grilled Italian bread with roasted peppers, kalamata olives, capers, and a homemade oregano vinaigrette. A Mediterranean-inspired lunch that eats like a feast.
Tuna Toasties
Curried tuna salad rolled up in buttered white bread, secured with toothpicks, and baked until crispy and golden. These Indian-inspired tuna toasties make a crunchy, savory snack or party appetizer in just 30 minutes.
Tuna & Watercress Sandwiches
Tuna and watercress tea sandwiches blend canned tuna with butter, peppery watercress, and lemon juice in the food processor for a smooth spread. Cut into triangles for a high-tea-style appetizer or party tray.
Cocktail Ham & Tuna Quiche
Mini cocktail quiches in pastry cups with ham, tuna, Swiss cheese, and a creamy egg-mayonnaise filling. The retro hors d'oeuvre that disappears off the platter at every party.
Seafood Rice Salad New Orleans
New Orleans-style seafood rice salad with shrimp, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickles, and pimentos in a creamy mayo dressing. Chilled and served on fresh greens, Creole-style.
Swiss Tuna Quiche
A pantry-friendly quiche with canned tuna, Swiss cheese, and a creamy egg custard spiked with Worcestershire and nutmeg. Dinner from what's already in your kitchen.
Hot Tuna Sandwiches
Hot tuna sandwiches loaded with cheddar, hard-boiled eggs, olives, pickles, and green pepper, microwaved until the cheese melts. A retro tuna melt with a loaded deli-style filling.
Tuna Burgers (Brigitte's)
Open-faced tuna burgers broiled with mustard and mayo, topped with tomato slices and crispy turkey bacon on toasted buns. A quick, high-protein seafood burger ready in 20 minutes.
Tuna & Mushroom Cream Over Pasta
Creamy tuna and mushroom pasta sauce made lighter with evaporated skim milk, Parmesan, shallots, and fresh herbs. A quick pantry-friendly dinner that tastes far richer than it is.
More tuna, canned recipes
- Cheesy Tuna & Noodles
- Creamy Tuna Rice
- Dilled Tuna Bake
- Grilled Tuna & Cheese Sandwiches
- Pasta Con Il Tonno(Pasta with Tuna)
- Super Easy Tuna Burgers
- Tuna & Noodle Stroganoff
- Tuna Burgers (Brigitte's)
- Tuna Fish Casserole
- Tuna Fish, Mushrooms, & Celery
- Tuna Nicoise Topping
- Tuna Party Salad
- Tuna Pitas with Yogurt & Mustard
- Tuna Pizza with Dough
- Tuna Rice Salad
- Tuna Tapenade
- Tunasaurus Crunch Casserole
- Turkey Tonnato Salad
- Yellow & Red Bell Peppers Filled with Tuna & Capers
