Before you fill your grocery cart, find out which tuna brands our Test Kitchen experts love the most. Their top picks might surprise you!
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So many of us are trying to incorporate more protein into our diets. Lean meats, legumes and nuts are all a great place to start, but you might be forgetting one healthy source of protein in the aisles at your grocery store: packaged tuna.
Yep! On average, a packet of tuna has about 30% of the protein healthy adults need in a day. And with most tuna brands coming in at under 100 calories per serving, you couldn’t ask for a better way to beef up your lunchtime routine. But we know that canned and packaged tuna can be disappointing. To save you the trouble, our Test Kitchen sampled all the most popular brands to find the tuna options that should be in your shopping cart.
For this sampling, our Test Kitchen put seven tuna brands (including the biggest names) head-to-head in a blind tasting. Our pros didn’t know which brand was which as they sampled each tuna as they came—right out of the package. They judged the tuna according to these criteria:
After a pretty grueling test, our pros picked four tuna brands as their favorite. These brands are Test Kitchen-approved:
In our testing, albacore tuna (as compared to yellowfin or skipjack) rose to the top. This light flaky tuna from StarKist was our team’s favorite. Inside the pouch, our pros found large chunks of flaky fish.
StarKist albacore was juicy and bright with just the right level of salt. Packed in water, this brand is super healthy—it has 17 grams of protein, 60% of your vitamin 12 for the day and is just 80 calories per package. That’s pretty darn good if you’re trying to eat healthy and want to incorporate a bit more fish into your diet.
Our testing team said that this fish was delicious enough to eat plain but would be just as welcome in any lunchbox. This green salad with white beans and tuna is the perfect place to start.
When you think of canned or packaged tuna, you probably aren’t thinking fancy. But one brand in our taste test had our kitchen squad thinking about pre-packed tuna differently: Portofino.
This Italian brand had testers raving. The addition of extra virgin olive oil and a touch of sea salt gave this albacore a distinctive taste. It was flavorful and had just the right texture—moist but not overly saturated.
Because of the perfect flake of this tuna and the additional fresh flavors of the oil, our Test Kitchen thought this fish was great on its own (this isn’t the brand to buy if you want to make tuna salad). Many of our pros recommended using Portofino albacore to top a Nicoise salad.
If albacore tuna isn’t for you, snag a pouch or two of Target’s Good & Gather Chunk Light Tuna. This brand was super flaky and had that classic, rich tuna flavor our Test Kitchen was searching for.
This packaged tuna is exactly what you want when it comes to whipping up an easy tuna salad or making tuna burgers at home. Good & Gather wasn’t overly salty which leaves plenty of room for you to jazz this brand up with the herbs and spices you love most.
Priced 30% lower than its nearest competitor, Walmart’s Great Value Chunk Light Tuna is our favorite budget tuna brand (and one of our Test Kitchen’s favorites overall).
This tuna was moist and had the perfect level of salt. This fish does have a finer texture than some of the other tuna brands. While this wasn’t every tester’s favorite, these smaller flakes make Great Value tuna the perfect candidate for many tuna recipes like tuna salads and casseroles.
In a hurry? Then tuna right out of the pouch works just fine as a quick lunch. It also adds extra protein to green salads for your lunchtime fare.
But don’t stop with lunch! Tuna makes for some great dinners as well. Yep, we’re talking tuna noodle casserole—this time with a modern spin. Or try sheet pan tuna melts, a fresh, herb-filled tuna salad or tuna lettuce wraps. For something a bit more adventurous, try this canned tuna sushi recipe.
And don’t forget, these lightweight packages are also ideal for camping. No refrigeration needed and these pouches pack plenty of protein—about 18 grams each.
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Tuna Noodle Casserole
Families are sure to love the creamy texture and comforting taste of this traditional tuna casserole that goes together in a jiffy. I serve it with a green salad and warm rolls for a nutritious supper. —Ruby Wells, Cynthiana, Kentucky
Herbed Tuna and White Bean SaladThis is a quick and delicious salad that can be made special for guests—or yourself—by grilling fresh tuna steaks instead of using canned. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
Also, try these canned salmon recipes that make some of our all-time favorite pantry meals.
Tuna BurgerOur tuna burger will transform pantry staples into a simple yet tasty meal that's sure to become a regular in your dinner recipe rotation.
Tarragon Tuna SaladIt's surprising how a few herbs can brighten up tuna salad. Made with reduced-fat mayonnaise, this version gets its zip from mustard. It makes a terrific light lunch or Sunday brunch dish. —Billie Moss, Walnut Creek, California
Did you know that you can put tuna salad in sushi? Try it out with this canned tuna sushi recipe. 
Herbed Tuna SandwichesA delightful combination of herbs and reduced-fat cheese makes this simple tuna sandwich a standout. —Marie Connor, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Asparagus Tuna Noodle CasseroleI updated a traditional tuna casserole using fresh asparagus and asparagus soup. This is so different and so delicious. Use frozen asparagus when fresh is not in season. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
(Check out more of our best tuna noodle casserole recipes!)
Comforting Tuna PattiesMy grandmother and mother made these tuna patties on Fridays during Lent. I'm not the biggest fan of tuna, but it's perfect in this dish. These patties are even good cold the next day, if there are any leftovers. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
Asparagus Nicoise SaladI’ve used my Nicoise as an appetizer or a main-dish salad, and it’s a winner every time I put it on the table. Here’s to a colorful, make-ahead salad! —Jan Meyer, St. Paul, Minnesota
Tuna Potato SupperTuna lovers will find this to be a real treat. My husband and I enjoy it as a nice change from the ordinary baked potato. Add a salad for a simple lunch or dinner. —Rosella Peters, Gull Lake, Saskatchewan
Slow-Cooker Tuna Noodle CasseroleWe tweaked this family-friendly classic to work for the slow cooker. It's easy, wholesome and totally homemade!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Garlic Bread Tuna MeltsThere's something extra comforting about a tuna melt on a chilly day. Take it up a few notches with garlic, cheese and tomatoes. —Aimee Bachmann, Bellevue, Washington 
Tuna Mushroom CasseroleI love to serve this dressed-up version of a tuna casserole. The green beans add nice texture, color and flavor. The first time I made this dish, my uncle asked for seconds even though tuna casseroles are not usually his favorite.
—Jone Furlong, Santa Rosa, California
Tuna Melt on CornbreadTry our rendition of an open-faced tuna melt. Serve it on cornbread for a quick lunch or dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 
Tuna-Filled ShellsHot tuna's a hit when you mix it with sizable pasta shells and a cheesy sauce. Dill also complements the fish nicely in this cream comfort food. It's a great change of pace from the traditional tuna casserole. —Connie Staal, Greenbrier, Arkansas 
Tuna Noodle CupsOlder kids can get a jump on preparing dinner by stirring up these miniature tuna casseroles. Or serve them for brunch with fresh fruit, a tossed salad and rolls. —Marlene Pugh, Fort McMurray, Alberta
Tuna WrapLoaded with the best tuna salad and fresh, colorful, crunchy vegetables, this heart-healthy tuna wrap is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Snappy Tuna MeltsI lightened up a classic tuna melt by using creamy balsamic vinaigretee in place of the traditional mayonnaise. Kids and adults both go for this quick meal. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California
Tuna SaladI've perfected this classic salad with sweet pickle relish, Dijon and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with crackers, over a bed of greens, or grilled on sourdough as a simply fantastic tuna melt. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Modern Tuna CasseroleTuna casserole was my favorite as a kid, and I found myself craving it as an adult. I reconfigured the recipe to include more vegetables, and the result is perfection. —Rebecca Blanton, St. Helena, California
Tuna Crescent RingThis is really easy to throw together, and I often use it when I am too tired to fix anything else. —Julia Bivens, Martinsburg, West Virginia
Tuna Noodle CasseroleWe make this tuna noodle casserole recipe with canned tuna, tender vegetables, cream of mushroom soup and egg noodles. Top it off with a crisp bread crumb topping for a warm and cozy meal-in-one.
Mediterranean Tuna SaladIf you think tuna salad means lots of mayonnaise, think again! Our Mediterranean tuna salad recipe mixes protein-packed canned tuna, chickpeas, veggies and vinaigrette into a colorful, healthy, never-boring salad or sandwich topper.
Orzo-Tuna Salad with TomatoesStuffed tomatoes provide endless options when you add meat, cheese, rice, veggies – or in this case, orzo. — Jenni Dise, Phoenix, Arizona
Broccoli Tuna CasseroleWhen I was in the Navy, a co-worker's wife shared this recipe with me. I’ve tweaked it over the years, but it still brings back memories of my family away from home. —Yvonne Cook, Haskins, Ohio
Healthy Tuna SaladYou do not need full-fat dressing to make a great tuna fish sandwich. Learn how to make healthy tuna salad with a recipe that cuts down on calories and fat, but keeps the classic flavor (and crunch!).
Cilantro-Avocado Tuna Salad SandwichesLime juice and cilantro in tuna salad – who knew? This recipe for avocado tuna salad came to me as a way to have a protein-packed meal with lots of pizzazz. —Heather Waldorf, Black Mountain, North Carolina
This recipe is just one of several ways to enjoy a tunacado sandwich!
Tuna Nicoise SaladTuna Nicoise salad is a perfect lunch for a weekend or even to make ahead for the work week. Our recipe is traditional with tuna, tomatoes and beans, but is easily adaptable to suit your tastes.
Tuna and White Bean Lettuce WrapsHere's a fabulous way to dress up ordinary tuna salad. This easy recipe makes a quick dinner or lunch at the office, and it's good for you. —Heather Senger, Madison, Wisconsin
Snappy Tuna MeltsI lightened up a classic tuna melt by using creamy balsamic vinaigretee in place of the traditional mayonnaise. Kids and adults both go for this quick meal. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California
Pressure-Cooker Tuna Noodle CasseroleWe tweaked this family-friendly classic tuna casserole to work for the pressure cooker. Go for easy, wholesome and totally homemade!—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
