We Asked 4 Chefs the Best Brand of Canned Tuna—They All Picked the Same One

In search of an ingredient that’s long-lasting and inexpensive but also a good source of protein and nutrient-rich? Look no further than the humble can of tuna. Few other pantry staples can become lunch, dinner, a snack, salad or a sauce with the addition of just one or two ingredients, which is why tuna is beloved by not only home cooks but chefs as well. 

Of course, chefs are likely to be a bit more particular about what brands they stock their pantries with. And when we asked four what their go-to was, the pros were pretty much unanimous: Tonnino is worth the splurge. 

Why Tonnino Tuna? 

Based in Costa Rica and distributed globally, Tonnino specializes in sustainably caught tuna and salmon, particularly pole-and-line, wild-caught fish, rather than large-scale trawling. The brand produces both albacore and yellowfin tuna products, packed in either spring water or olive oil. Tonnino also sells its tuna fillets in both glass jars and cans. “It’s a gorgeous presentation with large, tender pieces—perfect for more elevated dishes,” Elisa Lyew, a New York City–based chef and former Chopped contestant, told us. While Lyew specializes in gluten-free desserts at her health-conscious East Village pastry shop, Elisa’s Love Bites, she said that canned tuna is a pantry staple she loves and uses often at home. 

Shawna Clark, a recipe developer and founder of Healthy Foodie Girl, also keeps Tonnino tuna in her pantry. “Tonnino’s is my elevated pick when I want something special. The fillets are incredibly tender and have a light, refined taste perfect for fresh recipes,” she says. Clark’s site features a variety of canned tuna recipes, including a burger and several unique takes on tuna salad.

What Chefs Look For When Shopping for Tuna 

All four chefs we spoke with were particularly fond of Tonnino Yellowfin Tuna Fillets in Olive Oil.  “I always choose tuna packed in olive oil for its rich flavor and texture. The olive oil helps preserve the tuna while adding another layer of taste and moisture,” Lyew explains. Tonnino tuna is packed solely in extra-virgin olive oil—our chefs recommend checking the ingredients on any canned or jarred tuna to ensure that products advertised as “olive oil packed tuna” are not combined with other oils. If you are looking for a lighter flavor and lower calories in your can of tuna, though, Clark recommends Tonnino Yellowfin Tuna Fillets in Spring Water as well. 

Yellowfin tuna was preferred over albacore or skipjack, as chefs said it was moister and had a richer flavor. Grace Vallo, recipe developer and founder of the food blog Tastefully Grace, added that she typically buys Tonnino Yellowfin Tuna Ventresca in Olive Oil. “Ventresca” is the Italian word for belly; on canned tuna labels it means the meat is from the fatty belly portion of the tuna, which has a “melt-in-your-mouth” consistency, Vallo explains. “They have an extra-rich, buttery flavor and super-tender texture. If you want to splurge, it’s worth it! [Tonnino’s] regular fillets are my go-to for the everyday.”

Sustainable fishing practices were also paramount to our chefs. When looking for canned tuna, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program recommends seeking out cans labeled “pole-caught, pole-and-line-caught, troll-caught, FAD-free, free school or school-caught.” These methods help reduce overfishing. 

How to Use Tuna Like a Chef

When using any olive oil–packed tuna, Vallo recommends draining and discarding the oil before using the tuna. “My biggest trick is to squeeze out the olive oil from the can, then use fresh extra-virgin olive oil,” she says. “The stuff in the can has been sitting with the tuna for a while, so it is fishy and old-tasting.” She specifically uses Tonnino tuna in her insalata di tonno e fagioli, a protein-packed Italian dish that combines tuna with white beans. 

Lyew also chooses Tonnino for Mediterranean-inspired dishes, particularly those combined with capers, lemon and herbs. And she turns to it for her savory cream puffs, with whipped crème fraîche, dill and lemon. 

Rachel Riggs, former specialty food shop owner and author of the forthcoming cookbook In Good Health, specifically calls for Tonnino brand tuna in olive oil in her tonnato sauce recipe. Tonnato is a creamy, savory tuna-based Italian sauce that’s typically served with summer vegetables like tomatoes. Riggs likes to serve her tonnato with fennel and radicchio for an even more complex flavor. 

Where to Find Tonnino Tuna 

Tonnino products are available on Amazon as well as at Whole Foods and Walmart. Though Tonnino brand tuna is slightly more expensive than traditional cans of tuna (6.7-ounce jars run from $7 to $9.99 depending on the retailer, while a 5-ounce can is between $2.90 and $4), the moist, meaty fillets and rich taste make this brand worth the splurge, according to these chefs.  

The Bottom Line

The next time you are looking for high-quality, flavorful tuna to use in your favorite recipe, channel your inner chef and try Tonnino Yellowfin Tuna Fillets in Olive Oil. Chefs praise the tuna’s tender texture and the richness added by the olive oil. Whether you’re making tonnato sauce or a Mediterranean-style dish of tuna with beans, you’re likely to notice a difference—and you might even get chef-quality results.