Tuna: More than just Sandwiches

Tuna fish, long a pantry staple, has come out of the cupboard. Creative, frugal cooks across America are finding new and interesting uses for canned tuna, in addition to traditional tuna fish sandwiches–so says a new survey by the National Fisheries Institute.

According to a recent National Fisheries Institute survey, more than four out of five (86 percent) U.S. adults usually keep cans or pouches of tuna in the house at any given time. More than half (56 percent) of adults have at least three cans or pouches of tuna on hand, and one in four (25 percent) usually keep five or more cans or pouches of tuna at home. With tuna already stocked on so many household shelves, families have a versatile lean protein ingredient ready to make a variety of modern-day dishes.

The survey found one of the most popular ways to eat tuna is with a “crunch.” Those who have eaten a tuna fish sandwich say the most common additions to tuna, beyond mayo (73 percent), include onions (41 percent), lettuce (40 percent), celery (27 percent) or pickles (25 percent). Naturally, people’s tastes vary. More than one in ten adults who have eaten a tuna fish sandwich put potato chips (12 percent) on tuna sandwiches, and slightly more like mustard (15 percent) with tuna. About 1 percent like to put tuna on their pizza. Whether adding crunch to a tuna sandwich or using tuna as a topping, it’s simple to use what is already in the cupboard to make delicious meals.

(photo credit: PRNewswire)