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- Sea Tales, which we found to be the best tuna brand on this list, was chosen for its meatier texture and fantastic flavor.
- Tuna is packed with health-supporting nutrients like vitamin D, vitamin B12, selenium, niacin, and iron (among others!).
- Because of issues like overfishing or high fish demand, tuna populations are falling, which is why choosing a sustainable tuna brand is so important.
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Tuna fisheries around the world account for a $40 billion industry annually. And for good reason – tuna is an extremely popular, protein-packed option that leaves you feeling full without the extra calories. While some people view tuna as overly fishy, others see its versatility. Tuna can be eaten canned or raw (often in sashimi/sushi), and it brings flavor to its dishes. Some favorite tuna dishes include tuna cakes, tuna salad, seared tuna steaks, and even spicy tuna bowls! However, issues like overfishing and high demand mean tuna populations have been falling steadily. Fisheries and fishermen alike must adjust to more sustainable fishing options. (Check out the top fishing destinations in the U.S.)
Over the years, the popularity of canned tuna has waxed and waned. In 2020, tuna was considered one of the most popular seafood options, while information from the National Fisheries Institute said that tuna consumption fell by a small margin. One reason why canned tuna might face issues with consumers is because it can contain high levels of mercury. Mercury is a heavy metal that is present in some fish due to water contamination. According to Healthline, larger tuna species, such as bigeye and albacore, tend to feature higher levels of mercury. Smaller species like skipjack often have lower levels of mercury.
However, for most adults, this does not mean that tuna should be eliminated from their diets. When eaten in moderation, the health benefits of tuna are numerous. Tuna offers omega-3 fatty acids and a variety of vitamins and minerals for your health.
Along with being highly nutritious, canned tuna is also one of the most convenient protein sources on the market. If it is stored in a cool, dark place, it will remain shelf-stable for years.
But with so many brands of canned tuna on the market, how can you tell which brand is best? Some are well-known, while others are more obscure. When you find yourself scanning the shelves of canned tuna at the grocery store, it can be tempting to purchase a brand just because of its name recognition. However, that isn’t necessarily the way to find the best-tasting tuna.
To identify the best tuna brands, 24/7 Wall St. consulted eight food review websites and blogs. Because tuna preference is highly subjective, we used an aggregate scoring system to track the reviews of each tuna brand. We also consulted customer reviews on retail sites to confirm our findings. Nine tuna brands landed at the top of our score sheet. They are listed from ninth to first place. (And if you’re looking to make a delicious tuna salad sandwich, here are the 8 bread brands you absolutely must try.)
The prices listed were accurate at the time of publication and may vary by store or location.
Which Tuna Brand Tastes Best?
Choosing the right tuna is important for both your health and the health of our oceans. With overfishing as a threat to our marine ecosystems, selecting sustainably sourced and high-quality tuna is important. The nine tuna brands on this list offer the right blend of flavor, sustainable practices, and price point to make them stand out above the rest.
Here are the 9 tuna brands you shouldn’t avoid:
9. Sustainable Seas
- Expected Price (5 oz can): $3.49
Sustainable Seas Review
Consumers can feel good about purchasing Sustainable Seas tuna. All the tuna processed by this company are caught by pole and line. This minimizes incidental catches of other species, but the few that are caught are utilized and not wasted. Long lines and nets, which can be harmful to dolphins, turtles, and other marine life, are never used.
One reviewer noted that the consistency of this canned tuna was a mixture of “large, meaty chunks of tuna with some small flakes.” The tuna is packed in water, meaning it features fewer calories than tuna packed in oil. Taste preferences vary between the two, though.
A customer noted that Sustainable Seas is a, “very tasty tuna without oil…The ingredients are all-natural. The smell is pleasant, not pungent. The use can be very diverse. You can add it to salads, you can cook fish soup, you can add it to a pie, or just eat it, add salt and olive oil to taste! I recommend it to everyone! Very tasty!”
8. Starkist
- Expected Price (5 oz can): $1.14
Starkist Review
Starkist is the best-selling brand of canned tuna in the U.S. The company’s mascot, Charlie the Tuna, is instantly recognizable to millions of Americans. It is also the most affordable tuna on this list by far, at just over a buck per can.
While Starkist is certainly inexpensive, it doesn’t yield cheap results. One team of reviewers noted that Starkist did not have “an overwhelming smell” like some other brands. They also noted the tuna “was delicate yet solid. It was as moist as they’d hoped for and had that deep, savory tuna flavor they craved.”
One customer agreed, saying, “This has always been my favorite tuna.”
Another remarked, “Starkist does not disappoint when it comes to flavor.”
7. Wild Planet
- Expected Price (5 oz can): $5.59
Wild Planet Review
Wild Planet is another pole and line-caught tuna. The company offers albacore and skipjack tuna. It is not packed in oil or water, which gives it a different texture than some other brands.
One reviewer noted that Wild Planet, “tasted more like freshly-cooked well-done tuna than a canned product.”
The can contains a solid piece of fish. One customer put it this way: “…take a can of this and place it next to a can of store-brand tuna and you’ll immediately notice a difference. This tuna will be a solid chunk of fish. The store-bought tuna with be a skirt of flakes in water.”
6. 365 by Whole Foods Market
- Expected Price (5 oz can): $3.49
365 by Whole Foods Market Review
Frequent shoppers at Whole Foods have come to expect high quality from the retailer’s products, and the canned tuna from 365 by Whole Foods Market lives up to that reputation.
One reviewer noted that this tuna tasted “pure” and featured “nearly fileted meat that didn’t appear as if it had been put through a janky food processor.”
Another customer concurred with that assessment, saying, “When I opened it, I was mesmerized that it is not chunks, not pieces but one big solid beautiful piece of fish tightly packed in the can with very little water left.”
The tuna is also harvested using only a pole and line, so consumers can feel good about eating ethically and sustainably.
Another benefit is that the canned tuna from 365 by Whole Foods Market has some of the lowest sodium among the brands on this list. That is especially important for those who need to monitor their sodium intake. The “no salt added” albacore has 120 mg of sodium. The FDA recommends a maximum intake of less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day for adults.
5. Genova
- Expected Price (5 oz can): $2.49
Genova Review
Genova offers multiple tuna varieities, including albacore and yellowfin, so you can choose the flavor best for you. Consumers can also choose from tuna packed in water or olive oil.
One reviewer noted that the albacore “featured big, pink flakes, and the water it was packed in was clear.” Other tuna varieties are packed in water that appears cloudy, which some people find off-putting.
That same reviewer noted the canned yellowfin boasted “larger fillets with a darker pink hue.” It has a nice saltiness, without being overpowering.
The lower price could also sway some budget-conscious consumers.
4. Tonnino
- Expected Price (5 oz can): $4.52
Tonnino Review
Like Genova, Tonnino also offers yellowfin and albacore tuna that is packed in either olive oil or spring water.
Tonnino tuna is available in the standard five-ounce tinplate cans, but also in glass jars. Each can and jar features a code that you can use to trace the source of the tuna on Tonnino’s website so you always know where your food is coming from.
One set of reviewers raved about the yellowfin packed in olive oil, saying, “The tuna melds well with the olive oil to create a savory, salty bite.”
Customers agree, with one saying, “Once I tried this tuna, I was hooked. I will never go back to other brands. The flavor is awesome!”
3. Natural Sea
- Expected Price (5 oz can): $4.29
Natural Sea Review
Natural Sea offers canned albacore, yellowfin, and tongol tuna varieties. Whichever you choose, you’ll likely note that this brand offers some of the freshest-tasting tuna on the market.
One reviewer noted, “When it comes to canned ingredients, fresh probably isn’t the first descriptor that comes to mind—until now. All of our testers described Natural Sea’s canned tuna as tasting fresh with a nice saltiness.”
One finicky customer remarked that they were thrilled with Natural Sea, saying, “Great tasting, solid white tuna. I’m pretty fussy about canned tuna but this is a repeat purchase which should tell you that I’m very satisfied with the quality of this tuna.”
2. Safe Catch
- Expected Price (5 oz can): $4.59
Safe Catch Review
For tuna lovers who are concerned about the mercury levels in their fish, Safe Catch is exactly what they’ve been looking for. Safe Catch tests every single fish for its mercury content. The company’s standard for acceptable mercury levels is much lower than those proposed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
The tuna is not packed in oil or water, so it has a fishier taste than some other brands. However, if you enjoy a stronger-tasting tuna, you’ll likely find it to be a refreshing change from blander options that populate supermarket shelves.
One customer raved about Safe Catch, saying, “I’m upset! I’ve wasted most of my life eating cat food quality tuna! I never realized that tuna this good was out there. This tastes so clean and delicious compared to [other brands].”
1. Sea Tales
- Expected Price (5 oz can): $3.99
Sea Tales Review
Sea Tales’ tuna is always caught with a pole and line. This aligns with the company’s mission of maintaining sustainable fisheries that are managed by responsible local fishermen and fisherwomen. And the taste is as good, or even better, than you might expect.
One team of reviewers noted this tuna’s “deep flavor” and “delectable” texture. They also remarked that this tuna is good enough to serve straight up at a dinner party.
Another customer raved about the tuna’s firm, meaty texture, saying that when you open a can of Sea Tales, you won’t find the “moosh” that has come to be expected from some lesser brands.
The delicious flavor, lovely texture, and commitment to sustainability all landed Sea Tales at the top of our list.
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