Hi, Seafoodies!
Here’s a little hot take that we wish someone had told us years ago: the best summer meals often start with what’s already sitting in your pantry. Specifically, those humble cans and pouches of tuna and salmon hiding on your shelf. They don’t need thawing, they don’t require a special grocery run and they’re ready to go the second hunger strikes—which makes them the unsung hero of busy, unpredictable summer days.
The last stretch of summer has a rhythm all its own—spontaneous, fast-moving and gloriously unstructured. One minute you’re relaxing, the next you’re rounding up everyone for an impromptu beach trip. Shelf-stable seafood keeps pace with all of it. With a few cans of tuna and salmon on hand, a satisfying meal is always within reach, no advance planning required.
And here’s the part we love most: canned seafood travels well! Hand pies, sliders, croquettes and pasta salads were practically made for road trips, beach days, picnics and hikes. When summer is calling and you’d rather be outside than tied to the kitchen or grocery store, these grab-and-go options let you eat well wherever the day takes you.
Don’t let the convenience fool you into thinking you’re sacrificing nutrition, either. Canned or pouched tuna and salmon deliver the same lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and B-12 you’d get from fresh—the nutrients that support heart health, brain function and steady energy through long summer days. They’re also one of the most affordable and accessible ways to hit the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation of three or more servings of seafood each week. Protein-packed, budget-friendly and always ready when you are—what’s not to love?
Breakfast practically makes itself with Everything Salmon & Egg Breakfast Hand Pies, Salmon-Stuffed Avocado Boats, Grab n’ Go Mediterranean Salmon Frittata Cups or a vibrant Mediterranean Tuna Shakshuka. For lunch, a Cheesy Pimento Tuna Melt hits the spot, while 7 Layer Tuna Pasta Salad and Crispy Rice Roll with Spicy Tuna are both a breeze to pack up and take along for whatever adventure is on the agenda.
When the snack attacks hit, Tuna Croquettes with Lemon-Caper Sauce and Air Fryer Mac ‘n’ Cheese Tuna Bites keep everyone happy between activities. And dinner? You’ve got options for days—Mediterranean Tuna Pizza, Lemon-Pepper Salmon Burgers, Tuna Puttanesca, Mediterranean Tuna and Pasta and Simple Salmon Sliders all start with trusty pantry staples and end with a meal worth gathering around.
So before you assume that can of tuna or pouch of salmon is just for tuna or salmon salad, give it another look. With the right recipes, shelf-stable seafood becomes the fastest track to eating well all summer long—wherever you happen to be.
Stock that pantry and dig in!
Everything Salmon & Egg Breakfast Hand Pies
Flaky pastry wraps around canned salmon, egg and everything bagel seasoning for a handheld breakfast that’s just as good eaten at the kitchen counter as it is packed for a busy morning.
Brimming with heart-healthy salmon and avocado, crunchy vegetables and plenty of tang, these festive boats can be ready in just 15 minutes.
Grab n’ Go Mediterranean Salmon Frittata Cups
As everyone else is having to stop for pricey breakfast sandwiches, you are already well-fueled and ready to take on whatever the day brings! But the fun doesn’t stop there—these cups can be customized to your heart’s content.
Here’s a little kitchen trick that makes this recipe even smarter: use canned or pouched tuna packed in olive oil, then drain that oil directly into your pan as the cooking fat for an easy flavor boost!
Easy, cheesy and sure to please even challenging palates, our 15-minute tuna melt recipe is sure to be your new summer lunchtime MVP!
Assemble this colorful layered salad in individual jars, then just grab and go! Protein-rich tuna keeps everyone satisfied while elbow pasta soaks up all that delicious dressing.
Crispy Rice Roll with Spicy Tuna
We like to top these spicy rolls with chopped cucumber, avocado and a sprinkling of sesame seeds—but you can improvise the garnish or omit it entirely. They’re delicious either way!
Tuna Croquettes with Lemon-Caper Sauce
Golden, crispy croquettes transform a simple can of tuna into an appetizer worth showing off, especially when dunked into a bright lemon-caper sauce that takes them over the top!
Air Fryer Mac ‘n’ Cheese Tuna Bites
Comfort food becomes finger food when mac ‘n’ cheese gets mixed with canned tuna and air-fried until golden and crispy—a snack that somehow disappears super fast, so this is your reminder to make extra.
Canned tuna is rich in protein and low in fat and calories (without all the saturated fat and sodium of pepperoni or sausage)—so if you’ve never had seafood as a pizza topping, this summer is the time to give it a try!
Mustard, lemon and dill add some punch to these pantry-friendly salmon patties that are equally at home on a bun or served up with salad greens.
Briny olives, capers and tomatoes simmer along with canned tuna for a bold, savory pasta dinner that relies almost entirely on pantry staples you likely already have.
A true taste of the Mediterranean, right at home! We’ve combined canned tuna, olives, capers, feta, basil, lemon and whole wheat pasta—the result is a bright and delicious family-friendly dinner!
Small but mighty, these canned salmon sliders pack big flavor into a handheld package that works for weeknight dinners and casual summer entertaining alike.
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