Tuna can be used fresh or canned in salads, sandwiches, pasta and hot dishes. The name “tuna” covers different species; nutritional composition, texture and fishing conditions are not the same for every product.
Culinary Uses
Whether canned tuna is packed in oil or water changes a recipe's consistency and flavor. You can use drained tuna with corn and onion in a salad, sandwich or pasta. Olive oil and lemon can also be added to taste. Do not infer an automatic quality ranking from the type of oil; compare ingredient and nutrition labels.
How Should Fresh Tuna Be Chosen?
Buy a product from an identifiable source with a maintained cold chain. Flesh color can vary with species and processing; a bright red color does not guarantee safety. Do not buy a product with a sour, rancid or ammonia-like smell. Do not assess fresh and previously frozen products using the same appearance criteria.
What Should You Check When Buying Canned Tuna?
Do not use swollen, leaking or seriously damaged cans. Follow label instructions concerning storage, dates and use after opening. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered, food-safe container; glass is not mandatory. No common shelf life after opening applies to every canned product.
How Should It Be Cooked?
Use a food thermometer to confirm that the center of fresh tuna reaches 63 °C / 145 °F; searing the outside or judging a pink center alone is insufficient. Eating raw fish carries greater risk. Freshness or freezing does not eliminate all microbes. Pregnant people, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems should avoid raw or undercooked fish.
Species and Sustainability
Identify the species from the label or seller. Sustainability is not determined simply by the fish being small or a “line-caught” claim; stock, fishing area, fishing gear and management conditions must be considered together. If there is a certification, check which product and conditions it covers. Do not generalize a stock assessment for one region to all tuna.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your doctor before making a decision about your health.
A Note for Readers
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your doctor before making any decision about your health.