22 Best Tinned Tuna Recipes
Got some tinned tuna in the cupboard, and want to turn it into a tasty and satisfying meal?
You’re in the right place!
I’ve put together the very best tinned tuna recipes from around the web, proving that there’s so much more you can do with it other than just making a sandwich.
Tinned tuna is high in protein, packed with essential nutrients including brain boosting omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, and low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
When tinned with water, it also has around just 70 calories in a small tin.
It’s slimming friendly, it’s a great budget option, and it’s one of those kitchen cupboard staples that can give you a ton of options for any meal, at any time of the day.
Just pick up some tins next time you’re at the supermarket, and you’ve opened up loads of possibilities for trying new recipes that’ll be a hit with the whole family.
Here are the best tinned tuna recipes…
Healthy Tuna Pasta Bake With Cheesy Topping
When it comes to comfort food, you really can’t beat a pasta bake!
This one includes other store cupboard staples including dried herbs, tinned tomatoes, and tomato puree, as well as a helping of fresh broccoli to ensure that you’re making a good dent in your 5-a-day. Of course, you could always use frozen broccoli instead.
Want to make it Slimming World friendly? Use low calorie cooking spray, and use cheese from your Healthy Extra allowance!
Get The Recipe: Healthy Tuna Pasta Bake With Cheesy Topping
Healthy Tuna Patties
Whatever you want to call them – tuna patties, tuna cakes, or tuna croquettes – these pan-fried delights are packed full of flavour and are also really easy to make.
They’re crunchy on the outside, tender in the middle, and are so satisfying when served for lunch alongside a leafy green salad.
Following Slimming World? Use low calorie spray instead of oil, and just count the syns for the mustard and the breadcrumbs.
Get The Recipe: Healthy Tuna Patties
Tuna Thai Red Curry
Can you believe that you can make a Thai red curry with a humble tin of tuna?
This exotic delight is colourful, spicy, and aromatic, as well as being packed full of healthy veggies and simple to make. It’s a tasty reminder of why Thai food is just so good.
If you’re following Slimming World then be sure to count the Syns for the coconut milk and curry paste. They’re definitely worth it!
Get The Recipe: Tuna Thai Red Curry
(By the way, you might also want to take a look at how to eat tuna without bread for more ideas!)
Tuna Sushi Bowl
Supermarket sushi is one of my favourite lunchtime choices when I’m out and about, so I was delighted when I discovered that it can be so quick and easy to make your own at home – and it tastes even better!
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this dish, and it’s a great choice for lunch.
If you’re following Slimming World then you’ll need to count Syns for the avocado, but it goes without saying that this recipe is super light and healthy.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Sushi Bowl
Spicy Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps
These spicy tuna salad lettuce wraps are so easy to make and totally delicious.
What makes them spicy? The habanero pepper! Don’t worry, the heat is cooled with a little mayonnaise and lettuce, and balanced with coriander and celery, so this tuna salad recipe is just lovely.
They’re slimming friendly too, and you only need to count Syns for the mayonnaise.
Get The Recipe: Spicy Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps
Simple Tuna Salad With Pasta
This colourful tuna salad is ready in ten minutes, perfect for a light supper, and the leftovers make brilliant packed lunches or picnics.
Don’t be scared to get a little creative with this one, and chuck in any salad veggies that need using up.
If you’re following Slimming World, replace the mayonnaise or creme fraiche (or both) with low fat yoghurt. Ideally, use light mayo and low fat yoghurt and count the Syns.
Get The Recipe: Simple Tuna Salad With Pasta
One Pan Cheesy Tuna Rice
This satisfying dinner can be on the table in just half an hour, and doesn’t require any ingredients that you’re not likely to already have in your kitchen.
If you want to make this one slimming friendly, use cheese from your Healthy Extra allowance, or just count the Syns.
Get The Recipe: One Pan Cheesy Tuna Rice
Zesty Tuna Sliders With Spicy Mayo
I adore food with tons of flavour and a good kick of spice, and these tuna sliders definitely tick those boxes.
They’re fresh, colourful, and though they’re easy and budget friendly to make, they’re impressive enough to serve to friends and family for a special occasion.
Slimming World followers could use bread buns from their Health Extra allowance, and count Syns for the mayonnaise.
Get The Recipe: Zesty Tuna Sliders With Spicy Tuna
Authentic Mexican Pico De Gallo With Tuna
If you love Mexican flavours, then you really need to try this authentic pico de gallo!
It’s easy to make, and would be great served as a simple lunch on its own, or as a side dish to add extra colour and vibrance to a main meal. Tinned tuna recipes really don’t get better than this.
It’s Syn free on Slimming World, too.
Get The Recipe: Authentic Mexican Pico De Gallo With Tuna
Easy Tuna Chilli
Most of us think of minced beef when we think about making a chilli, but this tuna based alternative is just as tasty.
Use low calorie cooking spray instead of oil if you want to keep it light, and serve with fluffy white rice.
Get The Recipe: Easy Tuna Chilli
Tuna Puff Pastry Pinwheels
These satisfying bites taste indulgent and comforting, but they couldn’t be easier to make.
A recipe that uses puff pastry is never going to be the most slimming friendly option, but let’s face it, we all need a bit of a treat now and again. The beauty of Slimming World is that no foods are entirely off limits, so you can always count the Syns from your daily allowance if you’re determined to stick to the plan.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Tuna Macaroni Salad With Pickles
This tuna macaroni salad is the kind of tinned tuna recipe that the whole family will love and request time and time again.
Trade the sour cream for low fat Greek yoghurt if you want to cut down the calories and Syns.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Macaroni Salad With Pickles
Tuna Bruschetta
Tinned tuna and fresh tomatoes come together in this recipe to create a simple but totally delicious bruschetta that’s perfect for parties or just for lunch.
This one reminds me of those dishes that you’re often served on holiday, and can’t wait to recreate once you get home.
Make it slimming friendly by using bread from your Healthy Extra allowance.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Bruschetta
Simple Spicy Thai Tuna Fish Cakes
I love nothing more than a spicy recipe, so these Thai fish cakes are right up my street!
Of course, you can tweak the amount of chilli that you use depending on your personal tastes.
Get The Recipe: Simple Spicy Thai Tuna Fish Cakes
Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats
These cucumber boats are a great gluten-free alternative to a sandwich, and would be fantastic for taster nights or nibbles with drinks.
The recipe includes options that can make them suitable for Paleo, Ketogenic, and other popular diet plans.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Salad Cucumber Boats
Tuna Cheddar Lunchbox Bites
Tuna and cheese is always a winning combination, and these little morsels are perfect for lunchboxes or a meal on the go.
They’re similar in texture to a quiche, and can be made on a budget.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Cheddar Lunchbox Bites
Simple & Delicious Tuna Dip
This tuna dip recipe is creamy, full of flavour, and takes just a couple of minutes to prepare.
Make this tinned tuna recipe slimming friendly by using tuna in spring water, instead of oil, and count the Syns for the mayonnaise.
Get The Recipe: Simple & Delicious Tuna Dip
Two Cheese Tuna Mexi Melts
This new take on an old classic combines Mexican flavours with healthy broccoli slaw, two types of gooey melty cheese and good old tinned tuna for an easy and quick weeknight dinner.
You’ll have to count some Syns if you’re slimming, but they’ll be well worth it, and this recipe is perfectly compatible with most popular diet plans.
Get The Recipe: Two Cheese Tuna Mexi Melts
Slimming Tuna Pasta Bake
This pasta bake recipe is perfect for people who think that they can’t cook! All you need to do is boil some pasta, and mix some ingredients together.
You’re rewarded with a hot, comforting meal that’s ideal for evenings when you just don’t have the time or energy to slave over a hot stove.
One serving has less than 500 calories, and you can even make it Syn free on Slimming World.
Get The Recipe: Slimming Tuna Pasta Bake
Tuna Cheddar Stuffed Potatoes
If you’re looking for tinned tuna recipes that don’t require a ton of ingredients, this one fits the bill!
There’s just 5 ingredients and 5 steps, and the result is an indulgent dinner that’s totally family friendly.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Cheddar Stuffed Potatoes
Easy Tuna Casserole
You don’t get much easier than a recipe that requires just 4 ingredients. Even better, they’re all items that you probably already have in the kitchen.
If your cupboards are looking bare and you don’t have time to dash out to the supermarket, give this one a try.
Get The Recipe: Easy Tuna Casserole
Creamy Open-Faced Tuna Melt Sandwich
For these evenings when you just can’t be bothered to whip up a complicated meal and you need something comforting, this tuna melt sandwich is a fantastic option.
Get The Recipe: Creamy Open-Faced Tuna Melt Sandwich
Why not save these best tinned tuna recipes on Pinterest?
As you can see from the tinned tuna recipes here, cooking with the store cupboard staple definitely doesn’t have to be boring!
Save the pin below to Pinterest so you can come back to this post next time you need a little inspiration.