Looking for quick and delicious ways to use canned tuna? Here are 24 easy recipes that turn this pantry staple into satisfying meals in minutes.
Canned tuna is one of those pantry staples that always comes to the rescue. It’s affordable, versatile, and can turn into a tasty meal in just minutes.
I remember one hectic afternoon when I had nothing but a can of tuna and a few random ingredients. I threw together a quick tuna salad, and to my surprise, it became one of my go-to lunches—simple, filling, and full of flavor.
You don’t need to be a chef to enjoy these recipes. With a few basic ingredients and easy steps, you can create comforting, protein-packed meals your whole family will love.
From crispy tuna patties to refreshing tuna poke bowls, this collection offers something for every craving. If you’re short on time but still want something delicious, you’re in the right place.
1. Tuna Patties
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Craving a quick and tasty meal? Tuna patties are a delicious, budget-friendly option that come together in minutes with pantry staples like canned tuna, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, making them perfect for busy days. Simply mix the ingredients, shape into patties, and pan-fry until golden for a kid- and adult-friendly dish that’s great on its own or with your favorite dip!
Read the Recipe: Tuna Patties
2. The most amazing canned tuna pasta
This 15-minute tuna pasta is a quick, budget-friendly dinner that turns humble canned tuna into something truly delicious with a few clever touches. A splash of lemon, a handful of capers, and using the oil from the tuna can make it surprisingly flavorful and satisfying!
Read the Recipe: The most amazing canned tuna pasta
3. The Best Canned Tuna Salad
This Canned Tuna Salad combines albacore tuna in water with crunchy celery, red onion, and jalapeño for a fresh flavor boost, all mixed into a creamy dijon mayo base. It’s quick to make, super tasty, and perfect for a healthy lunch that’s easy to customize to your taste!
Read the Recipe: The Best Canned Tuna Salad
4. Canning Tuna
Preserve fresh tuna at home using a pressure canner, ensuring a high-quality, additive-free product with incredible flavor. All you need is raw fresh tuna and a pinch of salt to create delicious, shelf-stable canned tuna for your pantry.
Read the Recipe: Canning Tuna
5. Quick Tuna Salad
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This quick tuna salad is a breeze to prepare in just 5 minutes, using simple ingredients like canned tuna, creamy salad dressing, and sweet pickle relish. Serve it in a sandwich or with crackers for a light, tasty meal that tastes great every time!
Read the Recipe: Quick Tuna Salad
6. Canned Tuna Ceviche
Transform canned tuna into a zesty, flavorful lunch by mixing it with fresh lime juice, cilantro, jalapeño, tomato, and avocado. It’s a quick, healthy, and delicious dish perfect for a speedy meal!
Read the Recipe: Canned Tuna Ceviche
7. Freshly Canned Tuna
Preserve fresh albacore tuna at home by slicing it into medallions, layering it in jars with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and pressure canning for 100 minutes. Let the jars cool completely, check the seals, and enjoy tasty, homemade tuna that’s perfect for meals!
Read the Recipe: Freshly Canned Tuna
8. Tuna Salad
This quick and creamy tuna salad is packed with simple, wholesome ingredients like canned tuna, mayonnaise, crunchy celery, red onion, and parsley. It’s a light, protein-rich meal that’s ready in just 15 minutes—perfect for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or a fresh midday pick-me-up.
Read the Recipe: Tuna Salad
9. Crispy Lemon Parmesan, Garlic & Herb Tuna Patties (Tuna fish cake recipe) 140k Shares
These crispy tuna patties are made with canned tuna, zesty lemon, Parmesan cheese, and flavorful herbs for a quick and tasty meal. They’re super easy to prep ahead and even picky eaters will love their golden crunch and savory goodness!
Read the Recipe: Crispy Lemon Parmesan, Garlic & Herb Tuna Patties (Tuna fish cake recipe) 140k Shares
10. The Best Tuna Salad
Create a delicious tuna salad by mixing canned tuna, mayonnaise, celery, onion, relish, lemon juice, and garlic, then season with salt and pepper. Serve this quick and easy recipe on toast, crackers, lettuce wraps, or as a tuna melt—perfect for a satisfying meal anytime.
Read the Recipe: The Best Tuna Salad
11. Easy Canned Tuna Pasta (Ready in 15 Minutes!)
This easy canned tuna pasta is ready in just 15 minutes and uses simple ingredients like pasta, olive oil, garlic, tuna, lemon juice, and parsley. Cook the pasta, then sauté garlic in olive oil, stir in the tuna, lemon juice, and parsley, and toss with the pasta for a quick, healthy meal.
Read the Recipe: Easy Canned Tuna Pasta (Ready in 15 Minutes!)
12. Quick and Simple Tuna Sisig Made with Canned Tuna
This quick and tasty Filipino-inspired dish turns simple canned tuna into a sizzling, savory delight with garlic, soy sauce, calamansi juice, and a creamy touch of mayo. Just sauté, season, mix in an egg, and top with onions for a comforting, flavor-packed meal that’s ready in no time!
Read the Recipe: Quick and Simple Tuna Sisig Made with Canned Tuna
13. Tuna Salad [littlespoonfarm.com]
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This healthy tuna salad is a quick, 10-minute recipe made with canned tuna, creamy avocado, red onion, and fresh herbs for a light and flavorful twist on the classic. Enjoy it in a sandwich, wrap, lettuce cup, or on crackers—it’s versatile, satisfying, and perfect for meal prep!
Read the Recipe: Tuna Salad [littlespoonfarm.com]
14. Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl with Canned Tuna Recipe (Gluten free)
This Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl is a quick and easy meal perfect for busy nights, featuring canned tuna, fresh vegetables, and cooked rice. Simply mix the tuna with your favorite spicy sauce, layer it over rice, and top with avocado and kale for a flavorful, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free dish that tastes just like a delicious sushi roll!
Read the Recipe: Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl with Canned Tuna Recipe (Gluten free)
15. The BEST Easy Tuna Salad
This easy and flavorful tuna salad is packed with crunchy veggies, sweet pickle relish, and creamy mayo, making it perfect for summer lunches. It’s a versatile dish that can be stuffed into tomatoes, wrapped up, tossed on salads, or spread on sandwiches—and stays fresh all week!
Read the Recipe: The BEST Easy Tuna Salad
16. Tuna Melt Sandwich
Make a tuna salad by mixing drained tuna, mayo, pickles, red onion, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread butter on sourdough bread slices, fill with tuna salad and cheese, then cook in a skillet until the bread is crispy and golden and the cheese is melted.
Read the Recipe: Tuna Melt Sandwich
17. Jewish Deli Tuna Salad
This Jewish Deli Tuna Salad is a creamy, flavorful mix that’s perfect on a bagel or enjoyed on its own. Simply combine canned tuna, chopped celery, relish, mayonnaise, and mustard, then chill for 15 minutes to let the flavors meld—easy to make and irresistibly tasty!
Read the Recipe: Jewish Deli Tuna Salad
18. Tuna Salad with Egg
To make a Tuna Salad with Egg, mix canned tuna, a hard-boiled egg, mayonnaise, chopped celery, sweet pickles, and a bit of mustard. Enjoy it with crackers, over greens, or in a tortilla for a quick, protein-packed meal.
Read the Recipe: Tuna Salad with Egg
19. Antipasto Tuna Pasta Salad
This zesty Antipasto Tuna Pasta Salad blends tender fusilli, juicy tomatoes, tangy olives, and flavorful tuna with a creamy lemon-Dijon dressing for a refreshing twist. It’s easy to toss together and perfect for a quick lunch or summer picnic!
Read the Recipe: Antipasto Tuna Pasta Salad
20. Tuna Nicoise Salad – Spice Tribe
This Tuna Nicoise Salad is a fresh and colorful mix of tender potatoes, crisp green beans, juicy tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and flaky tuna, all brought together with a zesty herb vinaigrette. Inspired by the French Riviera, it’s a simple, protein-packed dish that’s easy to customize and perfect for a light, satisfying meal.
Read the Recipe: Tuna Nicoise Salad – Spice Tribe
21. Tuna Pate
Whip up a creamy and flavorful tuna pâté using canned tuna, chopped onion, pickles, parsley, and mayo—ready in just 15 minutes! Serve it on raisin toasts for a surprisingly delicious sweet-and-savory combo that works perfectly as a snack or appetizer.
Read the Recipe: Tuna Pate
22. Skipjack Tuna Recipe Made With Canned Tuna | Easy and Healthy
This easy skipjack tuna recipe is perfect for busy days, providing a healthy, quick meal using canned tuna and simple spices. Just mix your chosen canned fish with some seasonings, then cook until crispy for a delicious, hassle-free lunch or dinner!
Read the Recipe: Skipjack Tuna Recipe Made With Canned Tuna | Easy and Healthy
23. Teriyaki Tuna Patties
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These crispy Teriyaki Tuna Patties are packed with flavor from soy sauce, garlic, and green onions, and come together in just 35 minutes. Simply mix, shape, coat with cornmeal, and pan-fry until golden brown for a quick and tasty twist on canned tuna!
Read the Recipe: Teriyaki Tuna Patties
24. Tasty Tuna Burgers
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Mix tuna, egg, bread crumbs, onion, celery, bell pepper, mayonnaise, chili sauce, and seasonings. Shape into patties, fry in a nonstick skillet for 3-4 minutes per side, and serve on buns with tomato and lettuce.
Read the Recipe: Tasty Tuna Burgers