Healthy Eating 101 Healthy Cooking How-Tos 5 Ways to Dress Up a Can of Tuna Looking for what to add to canned tuna beyond mayo? Here are some creative new ideas for what to make with canned tuna for a satisfying meal from the pantry. By Penelope Wall Penelope Wall Instagram Penelope Wall is EatingWell's digital content director. She has a bachelor's degree in English and studio art and a minor in French from Middlebury College. Growing up in Vermont with a Puerto Rican father and English mother, Penelope's exposure to different food traditions has always been quite varied and diverse. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 19, 2022 Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Instagram Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, has been with EatingWell for three years and works as the associate nutrition editor for the brand. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition to EatingWell, her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Real Simple, Parents, Better Homes and Gardens and MyRecipes. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Share Tweet Pin Email I can think of so many reasons to adore the humble canned tuna fish: It's affordable. It's high in omega-3 fats (psst… those are the ones that are good for your heart, your mood and your skin). I love that I can store it in my cupboard until just when I need it. And it's such a versatile ingredient. Plus, canned albacore tuna has low levels of mercury and is a sustainable choice if it's labeled as troll- or pole-caught, from the U.S. or British Columbia. Another healthy choice is chunk light tuna, which comes from the smaller skipjack or yellowfin, and has less mercury than canned white albacore tuna. Is Canned Tuna Healthy? Plus, How Often Can You Eat It? Classic mayo-based tuna salad has a place in my heart. But when I think of drenching the poor canned fish in so much heavy mayonnaise you need an ice cream scoop just to ladle it onto your sandwich, I feel like there needs to be an intervention. Step away from the mayo, folks! Adding just a few fresh and nutritious ingredients can help elevate a simple can of tuna from pantry staple to an elegant, satisfying meal. Dress up your canned tuna in these healthy recipes. 01 of 05 1. Tuna Cakes: Add Eggs, Herbs & Breadcrumbs Antonis Achilleos Dried herbs, white beans and canned tuna come together in these easy tuna cakes served over greens. A lemony dressing ties this quick dinner together. View Recipe 02 of 05 2. One-Pot Pasta: Add Pasta, Olives & Lemon Joy Howard Use the one-pot pasta cooking method to make this tuna pasta recipe that calls for just 5 ingredients and is ready in just over half an hour. For extra crunch and a tuna noodle casserole feel, sprinkle this speedy pasta dish with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs. View Recipe 03 of 05 3. Tuna Melt: Add Greek Yogurt, Veggies, Cheese & Bread Joy Howard This variation of a classic sandwich uses mayonnaise, but not where you think! Mayo is brushed on the outside of the sandwich in place of butter to make the sandwich golden and crispy as it heats in a skillet. Plain Greek yogurt takes mayo's place in the salad—along with crunchy celery, roasted red bell peppers and scallions—for a satisfying lunch with less saturated fat. View Recipe 04 of 05 4. Niçoise Salad: Add Potatoes, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Green Beans & Dressing This colorful platter salad with origins in the south of France makes a well-balanced and satisfying hot-weather meal. Coating the potatoes in dressing while they are still hot helps them absorb the flavors. View Recipe 05 of 05 5. Tuna Salad Spread: Add Avocado, Greek Yogurt, Herbs & Spices This healthy twist on tuna salad uses avocado and Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise. Serve it on cucumber slices, butter lettuce leaves or whole-grain crackers. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit