Eating fresh food from local sources is always the goal, because fresh often means better flavor and more nutrients. However, buying fresh food, especially seafood, might be a struggle for those on a tight budget or some with no access to a local grocery market. So canned foods are often a cheaper and convenient alternative to fresh foods.
With canned foods, you also do not have to cook from scratch, which is ideal when you're craving food now. But believe it or not, canned tuna is a very versatile ingredient and can be found in spreads, sushi, tuna cakes, and more. Although you might not be a master chef yet, you can surely follow some simple instructions of canned tuna recipes and quickly put together a snack or meal to satisfy our cravings!
#SpoonTip: The tuna industry has done some serious damage to the ocean. To minimize this harm done on the marine life, you should definitely eat sustainable canned tuna to protect the ocean. Check the labels for FAD-Free, pole-and-line, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, and etc. to buy the most environmental-friendly choice of canned tuna.
1. Tuna-Stuffed Avocados
Did you know that avocado is a fruit? This nutritious, savory fruit snack is perfect for anytime time of the day. Mix canned tuna with lime juice, red bell pepper, jalapeño, cilantro, and salt and pepper for taste. Then scoop contents into avocado halves and enjoy!
2. Crackers & Tuna
Grab some crackers and squeeze fresh lemon juice over canned tuna. Eat it with whatever toppings you choose to have. This canned tuna recipe makes a great snack for special events too.
3. Easy Tuna Spread
Everyone loves a good spread to dip in. This spread requires only 3 ingredients to make. It is super versatile and it's terrific on crackers or carrot and celery sticks or used for a sandwich.
4. Canned Tuna Ceviche
Refreshing, light, and super easy to make. It's a brilliant and inexpensive dish to serve guests. Fresh ceviche has raw seafood while canned tuna is cooked. But this pantry dish is still delicious and citrus-y.
5. Healthy Tuna Salad
Crispy celery and carrot paired with buttery avocado and salty canned tuna make this salad a great light meal to have. Dress it in a light vinaigrette of lemon juice instead of mayo to really bring out the flavorful experience and healthiness.
6. Tuna And Blueberry Salad
This colorful fruit salad dish is perfect for a sweet and savory treat. Adding a touch of fresh basil makes it come even more alive. Lots of flavor, lots of protein. Not bad for a salad.
7. Canned Tuna Sushi
This cute, kid-approved sushi rolls are made with canned tuna, rice, and seaweed. It is one of the canned tuna recipes that packs up well for a picnic or a school lunch.
8. Tuna, Plum Tomato And Basil Pesto Tortilla Rolls
The flavorful combination of tomato, cream cheese, and pesto takes tuna in a whole new direction. Only take 15 minutes to make and not your regular tortilla rolls, try it for appetizers, lunch, or mid-day treats.
9. Rice Paper Tuna Salad Roll
Deliciously different. Traditional rice rolls contain shrimp but canned tuna is used in this recipe. These little unique rice rolls makes it a perfect snack for a big group on picnics or road trips.
10. Easy Tuna Salad Sandwich
Don’t have to worry about running to the deli down the street for lunch anymore. This combination of tuna salad and toasted bread is a classic, and you can always add more ingredients, like cucumbers, to enhance this flavorful experience. It's always so good and so filling to eat.
11. Tuna Melt Sandy
A good old tuna melt sure makes lunch oh so satisfying. Two slices of bread sandwiching spiced up canned tuna, cheese, and vegetables up to your preference. Makes sure to toast both sides. If you are looking for healthy canned tuna recipes, this dish sure makes a quick dinner too.
12. Teriyaki Glazed Tuna Cakes
Kid friendly. Budget friendly. This doesn't have to cost a fortune as you probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen. These patties taste good warm or cold, so make a big batch and store there for later. Serve on their own as an appetizer, wrap them in tortillas for a delicious dinner, or throw them on buns for easy tuna burgers.
13. King Neptune's Quiche
What's a quiche? It's basically a savory pie. So easy and quick to prepare, chop some veggies and combine them in a pie shell with eggs and cheese. It’s a family staple and great for parties too.
14. Creamy Tomato and Tuna Penne
Pile it on. A good old penne pasta is super easy to make. Don't forget all about the Parmesan cheese and tomato soup. A great canned tuna recipe, a simple meal, a big hit for any night of the week.
15. Stuffed tuna shells
This healthy dish is packed with umami flavor thanks to tuna and peas. Have kids help you with this easy and fun-to-make dish.
16. Tuna and Zucchini Rice Bowl
This is a flavorful and filling recipe. The complex combination of bitter zucchini, semi-sweet fishiness of tuna mixture, and earthy rice showcase what a delicious dish it is.
Why crave canned tuna?
Overall, canned tuna is a great option when you need it stored for some time and fresh foods are out of season. Low in fat, high in protein, canned tuna is a good source of essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, and Vitamin D and B12. The nutritious benefits and taste of canned tuna make it perfect for eating as a tuna ceviche, as a spread on crackers or bread, in tuna salad and burger, or any of the other varieties. With these canned tuna recipes, you can use it as a versatile, delicious, inexpensive, and very good for your health ingredient to satisfy our canned tuna cravings. Fin-tastic.