How to Cook Canned Tuna

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Canned tuna is a simple, delicious way to make meals rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. If you're looking to spice up plain canned tuna in a dish, you can try a variety of different recipes. Canned tuna works well in many popular dishes, simple snacks, and hearty meals because of its versatile flavor. If you want to cook canned tuna, you can find the perfect recipe to fill you up and satisfy your hunger!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cooking Simple Tuna Dishes

1
Stuff a quesadilla with tuna fish for a simple meal. Mix 1 can of tuna with ¹⁄₂ cup (0.12 L) of mayonnaise and spread it and ¹⁄₄ cup (0.059 L) of shredded cheese over a tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half and heat one side over a lightly greased skillet, then flip the tortilla after 3-5 minutes to cook the other side.^{[1]
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- You can use any kind of shredded cheese with this meal, but most recipes call for cheddar cheese.
2
Do mac and tuna as an easy, delicious meal. Cook boxed macaroni and cheese over a stove top and add the cheese sauce as directed by the box. After adding the cheese sauce, stir in a can of tuna and serve when thoroughly mixed.^{[2]
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- You can also add a can of tuna to homemade mac and cheese for a complex, cheesy meal.
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3
Make tuna cucumber bites for a healthy treat. Mix a can of tuna salad with ¹⁄₂ cup (0.12 L) of mayonnaise and lemon juice to taste. Chop a cucumber and top each slice with tuna, diced tomatoes and green onions, and a sprinkle of paprika.^{[3]
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4
Try cucumber avocado bowls as an alternative to tuna salad. Combine a can of tuna with a diced avocado and add a diced tomato, a chopped celery stalk, and the juice from 1/2 of a squeezed lemon. Divide the mix in half and fill either a bowl or the 2 halved avocado shells to serve.^{[4]
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- If you're following the Paleo diet, this recipe is Paleo-friendly.
- You can also stuff cooked zucchini with this recipe and top with cheese for a warm, equally healthy snack.^{[5]
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5
Try scrambled eggs with tuna as a protein-rich snack or breakfast. Crack 4 eggs in a pan and cook over high heat while mixing continuously. When you have scrambled the eggs, add a can of tuna, 1.75 tablespoons (25.9 mL) of olive oil, a diced onion, and oregano to taste and fry for 4-5 minutes before serving.^{[6]
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- This meal pairs especially well with fried potatoes when eaten for breakfast.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cooking Advanced Tuna Meals

1
Make tuna casserole if you want a hearty meal. Mix 1/2 a box of boiled pasta, a can of tuna, a can of cream of celery or mushroom, ¹⁄₂ cup (0.12 L) of milk, ³⁄₄ cup (0.18 L) of shredded cheddar, ¹⁄₄ teaspoon (0.0012 L) of bread crumbs, ¹⁄₂ cup (0.12 L) of green peas, and salt or pepper to taste in a bowl. Pour the bowl into a baking sheet and cook at 375 °F (191 °C) for 20-25 minutes.^{[7]
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2
Cook tuna pasta for a delicious, creamy dish. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook a box of fettuccine pasta for 8-10 minutes. After draining the noodles, combine them and a can of tuna, a can of peas, 2 cups (0.47 L) of Alfredo sauce, and garlic powder or oregano to taste and serve when thoroughly mixed.^{[8]
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3
Use canned tuna in a simple sushi roll. Make cooked sushi rice and spread it over a piece of nori. Spread tuna salad, sliced avocado and cucumber, and diced green onions over half of the nori, roll the nori tightly, and slice the sushi roll to serve.^{[9]
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- For spicy tuna rolls, add a squirt of wasabi or sriracha to the tuna salad.
4
Try lemon rice and tuna as a nutritious, hearty meal. Mix ³⁄₄ cup (0.18 L) of white rice, and 2 cups (0.47 L) of chicken broth in a saucepan and let it simmer for 35 minutes with the lid on. Remove the lid and stir in a can of tuna, juice from 1/2 a lemon, and 2 cups (0.47 L) of baby spinach leaves, then continue cooking for 5 more minutes and serve.^{[10]
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- Add garlic powder, black pepper, or onion powder to taste.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Making Tuna Salads or Sandwiches

1
Try a tuna sandwich for a classic lunch. Combine 1 can of tuna with ¹⁄₂ cup (0.12 L) of mayonnaise and add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Spread the tuna mix evenly on a slice of bread, and place a slice of bread on top to finish your sandwich.^{[11]
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- Tomatoes, lettuce, olives, pickles, cucumbers, avocados, and onions all make great toppings for tuna sandwiches.
2
Make tuna melts for a twist on simple tuna sandwiches. Mix 1 can of tuna with ¹⁄₂ cup (0.12 L) of mayonnaise and toast 2 slices of bread. Spread the tuna on the bread slices, add cheese, and heat a skillet on medium heat. Press the 2 bread slices together against the skillet for 4-5 minutes to melt the cheese and serve.^{[12]
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3
Mix tuna salad for a versatile dish. Combine 1 can of tuna with ¹⁄₂ cup (0.12 L) of mayonnaise, ¹⁄₄ cup (0.059 L) of celery, ¹⁄₄ cup (0.059 L) of onion, ¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of lemon juice, ¹⁄₄ teaspoon (0.0012 L) of garlic powder, and salt or paprika to taste in a bowl. Refrigerate the bowl overnight to chill the salad and serve within 2-3 days of making.^{[13]
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- You can eat tuna salad by itself, dip chips in it, or add it to other meals like green salads or lettuce wraps.^{[14]
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Community Q&A

Question

What can I mix with canned tuna?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Canned tuna is super cheap and super nutritious and there are a ton of things you can mix it with to make a tasty meal. One simple method is to stir in a can of tuna into a pot of mac and cheese for a protein boost. You could also combine a can of tuna with a diced avocado and add a diced tomato, a chopped celery stalk, and the juice from 1/2 of a squeezed lemon to make a healthy tuna salad. Another easy option is a classic tuna sandwich. Combine 1 can of tuna with 1⁄2 cup (0.12 L) of mayonnaise and add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste, then spread it over some tasty bread for a healthy sandwich.
Question

Can you cook canned tuna?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Canned tuna is actually already cooked before it's canned, so technically, you can eat it straight from the can if you want. However, you can add canned tuna to a dish that you're cooking to add some healthy protein. For instance, you can add canned tuna to a pot of mac and cheese. You could also make a tuna alfredo pasta by cooking a box of fettuccine pasta for 8-10 minutes. After draining the noodles, combine them and a can of tuna, a can of peas, 2 cups (0.47 L) of Alfredo sauce, and garlic powder or oregano.
Question

Is canned tuna healthy?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Yes, canned tuna is super healthy and nutritious. Tuna is loaded with high-quality protein and almost no fat. It has all of the amino acids your body needs to grow and maintain muscle tissue, and can be a source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It's also cheap and has a long-term storage life, making it an affordable and convenient. You can also add canned tuna to a variety of dishes and sauces to make it both tasty, filling, and nutritious.

Warnings

Tuna has moderate mercury levels so, to be safe, try to limit your canned tuna meals to once every 2-3 weeks, depending on your body weight.^{[15]
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