Key takeaways
- Strength: 24 cans cover months of lunches.
- Strength: MSC certified wording in the title.
- Limit: a large pack needs pantry room.
A shelf of canned tuna can feel like a puzzle: chunk light or solid white, packed in water or olive oil, regular or reduced salt, a handful of cans or a warehouse-size case. Most of the decision comes down to what ends up on the plate. Tuna salad, casseroles, melts and grain bowls each prefer a different style.
This guide is for home cooks stocking a pantry for quick meals. The eight options below range from a 6 pack to a 48 count storage pack, and every one is a 5 ounce can. Notes come from the listing titles and general category traits, so read the full label before buying, especially if you manage sodium or allergies.
Quick Picks
| Product | Best for | Key detail from the title |
|---|---|---|
| Bumble Bee Chunk Light in Water | Everyday tuna salad | 5 oz, pack of 24, wild caught, MSC certified |
| StarKist Pantry Storage Pack | Stocking a big pantry | 48 count, chunk light in water, soy free |
| Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light | Smaller multi-pack | 5 oz cans, 10 count, in water |
| Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore | Sandwiches and salads that need big flakes | 5 oz, pack of 8, in water, kosher |
| Genova Yellowfin in Olive Oil | Pasta, salads and antipasti | 5 oz cans, 8 pack, yellowfin, olive oil |
| StarKist 25% Less Sodium | Lower-sodium shoppers | 25% less sodium, 24 pack, chunk light |
| 365 by Whole Foods Market No Salt Albacore | Salt-free cooking | 6 pack, 5 oz, albacore in water, no salt |
| Wild Planet Albacore and Sea Salt | Pole and line caught fans | 12 pack, no liquid added, pole and line caught |
How to Choose
Chunk light, albacore or yellowfin
Chunk light is usually a smaller-flaked, milder tuna and a common choice for mixing with mayonnaise. Albacore, labeled solid white in some listings, typically has firmer, larger pieces and a lighter color. Yellowfin, here packed in olive oil, tends to taste richer. Check the label for the species and packing liquid, since these affect texture and taste more than brand does.
Water, olive oil or no liquid added
Water-packed tuna is a flexible base for salads and sandwiches. Olive oil adds richness and works well in pasta and room-temperature dishes. “No liquid added” means you drain nothing and the fish carries more of its own moisture. Compare the ingredient list for added broth, soy or seasoning, because these extras change both flavor and allergen information from one can to the next.
Compare value per can and per ounce
Every product here uses 5 ounce cans, so the cleanest comparison is the cost per can. Divide the listing price by the can count, then sort each option into budget, mid-range or premium. Bulk packs of 24 or 48 help only if you will use them before the dates printed on the cans.
Certifications, sodium and storage
Labels like MSC certified, pole and line caught, non-GMO, gluten free or kosher appear only where the title names them. Reduced-sodium and no-salt styles are listed for readers who need to watch salt. Store cans in a cool pantry, refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container, and read the allergen statement. Anyone who is pregnant or managing a medical condition should ask a clinician or dietitian about seafood choices.
The 8 Best Options
Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna in Water, Pack of 24
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
This 24 pack of 5 ounce cans is described as wild caught, MSC certified sustainable seafood, non-GMO and gluten free, with 23g of protein per can in the title. Chunk light in water is the all-rounder: tuna salad, melts, casseroles and quick lunches. Because the pack is large, it is also an easy way to keep a standing lunch option on hand.
- Strength: 24 cans cover months of lunches.
- Strength: MSC certified wording in the title.
- Limit: a large pack needs pantry room.
Skip it if you want a few cans to try before stocking up.
StarKist Pantry Storage Pack, Chunk Light Tuna in Water
The 48 count pack is the stock-up choice, with 5 ounce cans of chunk light tuna in water. The title lists 20g of protein per serving, wild caught, gluten free and soy free. It suits big families, office kitchens and emergency pantries.
- Strength: the largest count here, with the best chance of low cost per can.
- Strength: gluten free and soy free noted in the title.
- Limit: heavy and bulky to store.
Skip it if you cook for one or two people.
Chicken of the Sea Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna
A 10 count of 5 ounce cans, described as wild caught, classic chunk tuna in water and high protein. It is a mid-size pack for households that want variety without committing to dozens of cans.
- Strength: 10 cans is a manageable pantry size.
- Strength: classic chunk light style for sandwiches.
- Limit: the title does not list certifications.
Skip it if you want a labeled sustainability certification.
Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water, Pack of 8
This pack of eight 5 ounce cans holds solid white albacore in water, listed with 29g of protein per can, wild caught, non-GMO, gluten free and kosher, and described as high in omega-3s. Solid albacore typically gives larger flakes and a lighter color.
- Strength: solid white style that keeps its shape in salads.
- Strength: several labels named in the title.
- Limit: smaller pack with fewer cans per order.
Skip it if you prefer a milder chunk light flavor.
Genova Premium Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil
The only olive oil option, this 8 pack of 5 ounce cans holds yellowfin tuna and is described as nutrient rich and high protein. Oil-packed yellowfin typically tastes richer, which suits pasta, tomato salads and antipasto plates.
- Strength: olive oil packing adds richness to cold dishes.
- Strength: yellowfin offers a different flavor than albacore.
- Limit: not a light option for mayonnaise-based salads.
Skip it if you want water-packed tuna.
StarKist Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 25% Less Sodium
A 24 pack of 5 ounce cans, labeled with 25% less sodium, 20g protein per serving, wild caught, gluten free and soy free. It targets readers who want a familiar chunk light tuna with less salt.
- Strength: reduced sodium named in the title.
- Strength: 24 cans for a stocked pantry.
- Limit: “less sodium” is relative, so compare the nutrition panel.
Skip it if you want no salt at all.
365 by Whole Foods Market No Salt Albacore Tuna in Water
This 6 pack holds 5 ounce cans of albacore in water with no salt added. It suits cooks who season their own food, build sauces from scratch, or follow a plan from a clinician or dietitian that limits salt.
- Strength: no salt in the title, for full seasoning control.
- Strength: small 6 pack that is easy to store.
- Limit: tuna without salt typically tastes plainer.
Skip it if you want ready-seasoned tuna.
Wild Planet Premium Albacore Wild Tuna and Sea Salt
A 12 pack of 5 ounce cans, with no liquid added, pole and line caught, 100% tuna, non-GMO and gluten free. With sea salt added, the title frames it as a firmer, drier-style albacore for readers who care about how the fish is caught.
- Strength: pole and line caught wording in the title.
- Strength: no liquid added means no draining.
- Limit: likely to sit at a higher tier than water-packed chunk light.
Skip it if you want a budget-tier case for everyday sandwiches.
Which One Fits Your Situation
You make tuna salad every week
Bumble Bee Chunk Light in a 24 pack or StarKist Pantry Storage Pack suit steady use, and Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light is a smaller pack. Chunk light in water mixes easily with mayonnaise, mustard, celery and pickles, so the style is forgiving for beginners.
You watch your salt
StarKist 25% Less Sodium and 365 by Whole Foods Market No Salt Albacore both address sodium in their titles. Check the nutrition panel and ask a clinician if you follow a medical plan.
You care about how the fish is caught
Wild Planet names pole and line caught, and Bumble Bee Chunk Light names MSC certified in its title.
You are cooking pasta or entertaining
Genova Yellowfin in Olive Oil adds richness to pasta and platters, and Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore gives larger flakes for salads. Both pair well with lemon, capers, white beans and good bread for a quick spread.
Common Mistakes
- Buying a 48 count case without checking the dates on the cans.
- Draining oil-packed tuna and then adding more oil to a recipe.
- Assuming reduced sodium means low sodium without reading the panel.
- Ignoring fish and soy allergen statements.
- Choosing solid albacore for a recipe that needs finely flaked tuna.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tuna packed in water better than oil?
Neither is better in general. Water suits salads with mayonnaise, while olive oil adds richness to pasta and cold plates.
How should I store opened canned tuna?
Move leftovers into a sealed container and refrigerate. Follow the directions on the can, and do not store opened tuna in the can itself, since a sealed glass or plastic container keeps flavors cleaner.
Can I eat canned tuna if I am pregnant?
Guidance on seafood varies by type and amount, so ask a clinician or dietitian before making it a regular habit.
What does MSC certified mean?
It refers to a sustainable seafood certification program. Only the Bumble Bee Chunk Light title names it, so check other listings for their own claims.
Write Your Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!