10+ Tuna Recipes to Spice Up Your Weeknight Dinners

Tuna’s one of those ingredients that just fits into almost any meal. You can throw it together for a quick snack or whip up a full dinner and not break a sweat.

Whether you’re working with canned or fresh tuna, it’s easy to make dishes that work with your schedule and your cravings.

People love tuna for its price and the protein punch it packs. You really don’t need fancy skills to get something healthy and filling on the table.

Grab a handful of ingredients and you’re set for a meal that’s as simple or as bold as you want.

1) Easy Tuna Patties with Lemon and Parsley

Tuna patties are one of those things you can throw together fast. Lemon zest and fresh parsley bring a pop of flavor that just works with tuna.

The lemon juice keeps everything moist and gives a little zing. Parsley adds color and a mellow herbal note.

Just mix in some bread crumbs and an egg to hold it all together. Fry them up in a bit of oil until they’re golden and crispy outside, but still soft inside.

Eat them with a salad or dunk them in your favorite sauce—whatever you’re into.

Ingredients

• 2 cans tuna, drained
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix tuna, lemon zest, juice, parsley, bread crumbs, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Shape into 4 patties.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (around 350°F / 175°C).
4. Fry patties for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden.
5. Let them drain on paper towels before serving.

2) Tuna Salad with Mayonnaise and Celery

This tuna salad is about as classic as it gets. Just mix canned tuna with mayo and chopped celery for a creamy crunch.

If you want a little more flavor, toss in some onion or a spoonful of relish. A squeeze of lemon really brightens it up.

It’s a solid choice for sandwiches or just eating straight from the bowl. Make it as creamy or as light as you like—totally up to you.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (5 ounces each) canned tuna, drained
• ¼ to ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 celery stalk, diced small
• 1 small onion or shallot, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine tuna and mayo in a medium bowl.
2. Add celery and onion if you’re using them.
3. Stir in lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix until everything’s well combined.
5. Serve chilled or at room temp.

3) Tuna Tostadas with Melted Cheese

Tuna tostadas with gooey cheese are one of those things you’ll want to make on repeat. Mix canned tuna with mayo and a touch of mustard, maybe some chopped scallions if you’re feeling it.

Spread that on crispy tostada shells, sprinkle cheese on top (cheddar or Monterey Jack is great), and bake until the cheese is bubbly and melty. Ten minutes at 375°F (190°C) usually does the trick.

After baking, throw on some cilantro or a squeeze of lime. These make a killer snack or a light meal.

Ingredients

• 1 can of tuna, drained
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 4 tostada shells
• ½ cup shredded cheese
• 2 scallions, chopped (optional)
• Cilantro and lime for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix tuna, mayo, mustard, and scallions.
3. Spread on tostada shells.
4. Top with cheese.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese melts.
6. Add cilantro and lime if you like.

4) Mediterranean Tuna Pasta

Mediterranean tuna pasta is a lifesaver when you want something quick but still crave big flavors. Use canned tuna, toss in tomatoes, red onion, and kalamata olives.

Capers and mozzarella or feta bring a salty kick. Toss everything with pasta and a bit of lemon juice or olive oil to keep it bright.

You can pull this together with pantry staples and a few fresh things. It’s one of those meals that feels fancier than it is.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta
• 1 can tuna, drained
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 2 tbsp capers
• 1/2 cup mozzarella or feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta as the package says. Drain it.
2. Toss tuna, tomatoes, onion, olives, capers, and cheese in a big bowl.
3. Add pasta to the bowl.
4. Drizzle on olive oil and lemon juice.
5. Toss everything gently.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

5) Tuna and Tomato Salad with Onion and Vinegar

This salad keeps things super simple and fresh. Use ripe tomatoes and good tuna for the base.

Thin onions bring a sharp bite, and a splash of vinegar wakes up the flavors. Red wine or sherry vinegar works best.

Gently mix so the tuna stays chunky. Let it sit a few minutes so everything melds.

Ingredients

• Ripe tomatoes, sliced
• Canned tuna, drained and flaked
• Thinly sliced onion
• Vinegar (red wine or sherry)
• Salt to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Put tomatoes and flaked tuna in a bowl.
2. Top with sliced onions.
3. Drizzle on vinegar and olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with salt.
5. Toss gently and let sit for 5 minutes.

6) Quick Tuna Salad with Pickle Relish

This tuna salad is as easy as it gets. Mix tuna, mayo, and sweet pickle relish for a tangy, slightly sweet bite.

Chopped celery adds a crisp texture. Eat it solo, make a sandwich, or scoop it up with crackers.

It keeps for a couple days in the fridge, so it’s handy for meal prep or last-minute lunches.

Ingredients

• 1 can tuna, drained
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 1 large stalk celery, finely chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix tuna and mayo in a bowl.
2. Stir in pickle relish.
3. Add celery and mix well.
4. Chill for 10-15 minutes if you want it colder.

7) Seared Ahi Tuna with Sesame Seed Crust

Seared Ahi Tuna with sesame seeds is fast and honestly pretty impressive for how little effort it takes. The outside gets a nice crunch, and the inside stays rare and tender—perfect combo.

Season the tuna with salt and maybe a little sugar or garlic powder. Press sesame seeds onto both sides, then sear in a hot pan.

Sear for just a minute or two each side so the crust is golden but the center is still pink. Let it rest, then slice thin.

Ingredients

• 2 Ahi tuna steaks
• 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder or coconut sugar (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix sesame seeds, salt, and garlic powder in a shallow dish.
2. Coat tuna steaks in the mixture.
3. Heat a pan over medium-high.
4. Sear tuna 1-2 minutes per side.
5. Let rest for a minute.
6. Slice thin and serve.

For more details, check this Seared Ahi Tuna with Sesame Seed Crust.

8) Avocado Tuna Salad

Avocado tuna salad is fresh, creamy, and ridiculously easy. Just mash up some ripe avocado, add tuna, and toss in a few crunchy veggies.

It works for lunch or a light dinner, and you don’t need much mayo thanks to the avocado. Red onion or cilantro are great for extra flavor.

Serve it plain or with crackers—fresh ingredients really make it shine.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 (5-ounce) can tuna in water, drained
• ¼ cup chopped red onion
• ½ cup sliced cucumber
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lime

Cooking Instructions

1. Dice avocados and put them in a bowl.
2. Flake the tuna with a fork.
3. Add avocado, tuna, onion, cucumber, and cilantro to the bowl.
4. Squeeze in lime juice, sprinkle salt and pepper, and mix gently.
5. Chill for 10 minutes if you want, then serve.

For more tips and ideas, check out this avocado tuna salad recipe.

9) Tuna, Rice, and Spinach Salad

Tuna, Rice, and Spinach Salad is one of those dishes that comes together fast and feels good to eat. Start with some cooked rice, toss in canned tuna, and throw in fresh spinach for that boost of green.

Want more color? Chop up some cucumber, tomatoes, or bell pepper and mix them in. I like adding toasted pine nuts for crunch, or a sprinkle of chili flakes when I want a little heat.

Once you’ve got everything in the bowl, drizzle on a vinaigrette or just a splash of soy sauce. Give it a good mix and you’re set.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can tuna (drained)
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• ½ cup chopped cucumber
• ½ cup chopped tomatoes
• ¼ cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce or vinaigrette

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the rice and let it cool.
2. Drain the tuna.
3. Chop the spinach, cucumber, and tomatoes.
4. Combine rice, tuna, spinach, and veggies in a bowl.
5. Add pine nuts if you’re using them.
6. Drizzle with soy sauce or vinaigrette and toss.
7. Serve chilled or just a bit above room temp.

For more ideas, check this spinach and tuna rice salad recipe.

10) Tuna Burritos

Tuna burritos are honestly a lifesaver on busy days. Just mix canned tuna with some veggies and a bit of mayo or salsa—whatever you’ve got.

Spoon the filling into a tortilla and wrap it up tight. If you’re in the mood, bake them for a few minutes so they’re warm and the cheese melts.

Try adding rice, sweetcorn, or chopped celery for extra bite. Cheese on top before baking? Yes, please.

Ingredients

• 2 cans tuna, drained
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 cup sweetcorn
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 4 large flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss tuna, rice, sweetcorn, celery, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper together in a bowl.

2. Scoop the mixture onto tortillas.

3. Roll them up tight—don’t be shy about it.

4. Lay the burritos seam-side down in a baking dish.

5. Scatter cheese all over the top.

6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes.

7. Pull them out when they’re warm and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Curious for more? Take a peek at this tuna burrito recipe.