Think Canned Tuna Is Boring? These 16 Recipes Will Change Your Mind

Tuna occupies an odd spot in the American food consciousness. We tend to think of it as either a humble canned good—bone-dry and flavorless unless it’s cut heavily with mayo—or a luxury seafood to be consumed mainly in the form of sushi or sashimi at Japanese restaurants. But given the relative ease these days of finding high-quality, oil-packed imported canned tuna, incorporating the pantry-staple version into your cooking is more appealing and easier than ever. (If you’re concerned about eating sustainably, and/or mercury contamination, you’ll definitely want to do your research before buying any kind of tuna to learn what species are best for you and the planet.)

As delicious as tuna salad is, there are many other exciting ways to cook with the canned fish. To inspire you to get out of a tuna rut, we’ve assembled a list of 16 recipes where canned tuna is the star, including savory spaghetti puttanesca, a vibrant summer tomato salad, and tuna-stuffed peppers.

July 2019