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I all the time have cans of tuna within the pantry because it’s reasonably priced, convenient, and protein-packed! Below, I’m sharing 13 Easy Canned Tuna Recipes which you could make for healthy lunch or dinner ideas any day of the week.
Best Canned Tuna Recipes
Nothing beats the price and convenience of canned tuna for high-protein meals on a budget. It’s a cheap, low-carb ingredient I all the time have stocked within the pantry for last-minute meals. Should you’re searching for inspiration, or for those who’ve never fully embraced the potential of canned tuna before, I’m here to assist you to 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 only for underground bunkers and noodle casseroles from the Fifties! Canned tuna is:
- Super convenient. From quick lunches to afternoon snacks, canned tuna makes last-minute meals for busy weeknights a breeze. It’s certainly one of my must-have pantry staples, and after today, you’ll be armed with loads of recipes to show cans of tuna into something healthy and delicious.
- Budget-friendly. Most cans of tuna offer good bang to your buck. You get a great deal of protein, minerals, and vitamins per can, and it’s relatively inexpensive. Plus, canned tuna is non-perishable, so you possibly can buy it in bulk, too.
- Versatile. There’s so way more which you could 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 such a lot of ways to show your basic can of tuna into delicious, healthy meals which might be anything but basic! I’ve rounded up a few of my best tuna recipes below:
2. Canned Tuna Ceviche
Ceviche all the time has a form of fancy ring to it, but this easy homemade ceviche recipe is definitely the best lunch or snack! It’s made with canned tuna that’s zested up with tomatoes, lime juice, cilantro, chilies, and avocado.
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3. Tuna Croquettes
Whether you cook them within the oven or within the air fryer, these quick and savory tuna croquettes come out irresistibly crispy and delicious. They’re form of like tuna patties, filled with protein-rich canned tuna, potato, and dill, and excellent for dipping! Add them to bowls to make them a meal.
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4. Tuna Pasta Salad
Love pasta salad, but not so keen on mayonnaise? This nutritious and simple tuna macaroni salad recipe has you covered. This recipe is full of leafy green arugula, parmesan, and capers, tossed with whole wheat pasta and canned chunks of tuna in a zesty no-mayo dressing.
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5. Tuna Egg Salad
Quick, high-protein meals and lunches don’t improve than this light and satisfying egg salad bulked up with canned tuna and red onion. It’s the very best of two classic salads, tasty by itself and just as yummy between two slices of whole wheat!
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6. Tuna Noodle Casserole
No canned tuna list can be complete and not using a classic tuna noodle casserole. Skip the cream of mushroom soup, I’ve lightened mine up with just a few easy ingredient swaps. This tuna casserole is a comforting, healthy family meal filled with a great deal of flavor and nutrition (for under $10!).
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7. Open-Faced Tuna Melt Sandwich
What can I say? I just love an open-faced sandwich. This tuna melt is certainly one of my favorites! Pile slices of whole wheat high with healthy tuna salad and veggies over a bed of melted cheese, for a quick and simple lunch on busy weekdays.
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8. Tuna Salad Wraps
This tuna salad recipe is made with nutrient-rich broccoli, crunchy celery, and only a touch of sunshine mayo. Spoon it over crisp endive leaves (and even crackers for those who’d like) for a refreshing, healthy snack.
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9. Tuna Salad Deviled Eggs
Add extra protein to your classic deviled eggs recipe! Mix up canned tuna with creamy yolks, onions, and mayo, after which pile your filling right into a protein-packed hard-boiled egg. Perfect for on-the-go lunches!
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10. Chickpea Tuna Salad
This chickpea tuna salad is an all-in-one, healthy lunch concept 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. Should you’re not a chickpea fan, use white beans as an alternative!
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12. Tomato Tuna Melts
Whilst 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 lightweight, easy lunch topped with melty cheddar cheese.
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How Healthy Is Canned Tuna?
Canned tuna has bucketloads of advantages. It’s low in calories and comparatively low cost while being high in protein and wealthy in B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D, and nutrients like omega-3s. Plus, it keeps ceaselessly within the pantry (OK, possibly not ceaselessly. But some cans will last for as much as 2 years or more!). When looking for tuna, you can even go for healthier options, like brands with less salt added, or tuna that’s canned in water as an alternative of oil.
What Is the Best Canned Tuna to Buy?
One in every of the downsides of canned tuna is sustainability and over-fishing. That, and one other concern is mercury levels. Your best bet when buying canned tuna is to decide on certified sustainable brands, like Wild Planet. Keep on with canned varieties which might be low in mercury, like light or skipjack tuna.
More Easy Lunches and Light Meals
Hungry for much more healthy, protein-packed fish recipes and lightweight meal ideas? Definitely take a look at the recipe finder for more inspiration.