Get ready to explore our collection of 15 healthy tuna recipes, carefully curated for those seeking nutritious and delicious options for meals, whether you’re planning your weekly meal prep, crafting a healthy lunch, or preparing for a delightful dinner.
From the vibrant and nutrient-rich healthy tuna pasta salad, perfect for including in your meal plan, to the zesty and quick garlic lemon tuna pasta, these recipes are designed to elevate your dining experience.
Indulge in the savory delights of the ahi tuna tacos or savor the comfort of the healthy tuna noodle casserole, each dish showcasing the versatility of tuna in crafting wholesome and satisfying meals.
Whether you’re a fan of classic tuna salads or looking to explore new culinary horizons, these recipes, featuring tuna fish as a star ingredient, promise to be a delightful addition to your repertoire of healthy and flavorful dinner recipes. Say “yes” to a palate-pleasing journey with these delectable tuna creations.
1. Healthy Tuna Salad
This healthy tuna salad recipe provides a flavorful and satisfying lunch option while keeping the calorie, carbohydrate, and fat content in check. Using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise reduces the calories and fat, making it a lighter alternative. Packed with white albacore tuna, minced celery, red onion, and a zesty dressing made of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and parsley, this tuna salad can be served on its own, over greens, or in a tuna salad sandwich. It’s a delicious and nutritious choice for a lightened-up tuna salad option.
2. Ahi Tuna Tacos
These ahi tuna tacos present a delightful fusion of flavors, featuring perfectly seared ahi tuna adorned with sesame seeds and accompanied by a citrus mango guacamole. The key to the dish lies in marinating the tuna in a ginger soy sauce for at least 30 minutes, ensuring a succulent and flavorful result. Toppings include the essential mango guac, along with fresh cilantro, red onion, and lime juice, while the choice of Mission Street Taco Flour Tortillas adds the perfect texture. A harmonious combination of sweet, savory, and healthy fats, these tacos are a feast for the senses.
3. Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad
This healthy tuna pasta salad offers a delicious and nutritious alternative to store-bought options. Filled with vibrant and nutrient-rich ingredients, including brown rice fusilli, frozen peas, chopped carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, and tuna, the salad is elevated with a flavorful dressing made from Greek yogurt, mayo, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, dried dill, salt, and pepper. In just 30 minutes total time, this recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy a delightful and wholesome tuna macaroni, perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or a potluck dish.
4. Open-Faced Tuna Melt Sandwich Recipe
The open-faced tuna melt sandwich is a delightful twist on the classic tuna melt, providing the ultimate comfort food with a healthier touch. Served open-faced, this sandwich combines a flavorful tuna salad made from canned tuna, minced carrots, celery, red onion, light mayonnaise, and red wine vinegar. Piled on a slice of whole wheat bread, topped with 2% reduced-fat cheddar or American cheese and tomato slices, this melt is cooked until the cheese melts and the bread becomes toasty. Quick and easy to prepare with in just 10 minutes, it’s a delicious lunch option with a perfect balance of protein, carbs, and fats.
5. Air Fryer Tuna Steak
Make the best air fryer tuna steak with a zesty sweet sticky marinade of coconut aminos, honey, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. After marinating for at least 20 minutes, cook the tuna steaks in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes per side, resulting in a quick, easy, and flavorful dish. The marinade adds a delicious touch, making these tuna steaks perfect for salads, tacos, or as a standalone protein.
6. Poke Bowl Recipe (with Sriracha Mayo)
This DIY poke bowl recipe offers a fun and flavorful at-home alternative to the trendy poke shops. Featuring high-quality tuna fish, marinated in a sesame-soy sauce, these bowls are not only healthy but also easy to assemble and customizable with various toppings like cucumber, mango, and avocado. The creamy sriracha mayo adds a delightful kick, making these bowls a burst of umami goodness that can be enjoyed over rice.
7. Mediterranean Grilled Tuna Steak
These Mediterranean grilled tuna steaks offer a burst of flavors, marrying the bold tastes of garlic, olive oil, and lemon. Marinated for at least 30 minutes, the yellowfin tuna steaks are seared to perfection on the grill. Complementing this dish is a delectable Mediterranean bean salad, featuring red onion, fresh tomatoes, cannellini beans, and a light garlic, olive oil-lemon dressing. The quick-cooking nature of tuna makes this recipe ideal for a swift and flavorful meal, providing a delightful fusion of Mediterranean goodness that’s both healthy, delicious, and high in potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium.
8. Garlic Lemon Tuna Pasta
This garlic lemon tuna pasta is a quick and flavorful 10-minute Mediterranean-inspired dish, using pantry staples like canned tuna and pasta. With zesty lemon, garlic, and the rich taste of tuna, it’s a budget-friendly, customizable, and easy-to-make family dinner. The recipe involves sautéing garlic, warming up tuna with lemon, tossing in cooked pasta, capers, and parsley, creating a delightful dish with the option to add Parmesan for a finishing touch.
9. Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice
This quick and budget-friendly tuna kimchi fried rice is a delightful meal made with pantry staples. Using canned tuna and leftover rice, it comes together in under 15 minutes, offering a flavorful and versatile option for lunch or dinner. The recipe incorporates simple ingredients like garlic, kimchi, and soy sauce, providing a delicious way to repurpose leftovers.
10. Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole
This healthy tuna noodle casserole is a creamy and comforting dish made from scratch, featuring whole wheat pasta, mushrooms, peas, and a rich cashew-based sauce. The recipe is dairy-free and provides a satisfying and flavorful alternative to the classic version. With a hearty serving that caters to a crowd, this casserole makes delightful leftovers, offering a nutritious twist with whole grain pasta and protein-packed tuna.
11. Tuna Patties
These flavorful tuna patties, also known as tuna cakes, are a quick and affordable meal option made without any fillers. The gluten-free, keto, and paleo patties are crisped to perfection in olive oil, offering a delicious and substantial dish that’s easy to prepare. The mixture includes two cans of tuna, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, eggs, kosher salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley. Variations are suggested, such as adding hot pepper sauce for spice or cooking them in butter for extra flavor. The patties are served hot, and leftovers can be stored in an airtight container the fridge for up to four days, maintaining their tasty appeal even when reheated.
12. Vegan Tuna Salad
This vegan tuna salad is a quick, plant-based alternative that captures the classic American flavors of traditional tuna salad. Combining chickpeas, hearts of palm, and nori, it achieves a satisfying texture and a taste reminiscent of the sea. With a prep time and cook time of 5 minutes each, it’s perfect for a quick lunch and can be enjoyed in various ways, from sandwiches to wraps or as a salad. The author even includes recommendations for sandwich toppings including various veggies and dill pickles.
13. Seared Tuna Lettuce Wraps
These seared tuna lettuce wraps are a delightful combination of lightly seasoned tuna flakes, sautéed with onions and bell peppers, then cooled and served on crisp lettuce leaves. Quick and easy to prepare, these wraps offer a tasty and filling lunch option. Perfect for on-the-go, they provide a low-carb and high-protein meal, delivering a burst of flavor with the addition of tomato puree, parsley, and optional chili flakes. These wraps, cherished for their simplicity and nutritional value, make them an ideal choice for a convenient and delicious lunch.
14. Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Tuna Steaks and Potatoes
This sheet pan lemon herb tuna steaks and potatoes is a delightful one-pan meal, combining Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese for bold flavor. In just 30 minutes, you can create a satisfying dish with tuna fillets and baby red potatoes, delivering a tasty and wholesome dinner. Garnish with fresh herbs for the perfect finishing touch. The recipe, partnering with the National Fisheries Institute, promotes seafood consumption for its heart-healthy benefits and offers a straightforward yet impressive way to enjoy tuna.
15. Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
These homemade spicy tuna crispy rice bites are a delectable appetizer, featuring fresh ahi tuna and sushi rice. Whether cooked on the stovetop or in the air fryer, these crispy rice bites are a low-cholesterol, dairy-free, and gluten-free delight with 79 kcal per serving. The spicy tuna, seasoned with soy sauce, lime, and sriracha, adds a flavorful punch to each crunchy and tangy bite. Perfect for any occasion, these bites are quick to make, making them a fantastic appetizer choice for dinner parties or special events.
Want more recipes like these? Check out our favorite 18 Healthy Salmon Recipes.