21 StarKist Tuna Products, Ranked Worst To Best

If you're trying to get your fill of protein without spending a ton of money, tuna may just be one of your go-tos. Not only is it one of the easiest ways to get seafood into your diet, but it's also a super-versatile ingredient. From tuna rice bowls to tuna noodle casseroles to tuna salad, the options are pretty much endless when you pick up a can or pouch of tuna. And although there are several different tuna brands lining store shelves, one of the most popular brands is StarKist.

Of course, you can find plenty of standard, plain StarKist products at your local grocery store, but did you know that the brand also carries a huge line of flavored tuna products? Some of these products showcase tuna at its best, with all of the seasonings already taken care of for you. Others are not quite as good. So, which ones should you pick out the next time you do your weekly grocery shop? We've ranked StarKist products from worst to best so you know what to buy.

It's pretty hard to mess up tuna, but believe us when we say that the Chunk Light Tuna in Water from StarKist should probably be your very last choice. This is tuna is exceptionally bland, and it doesn't really do much to a dish other than adding a mild (albeit pleasant) fishy flavor. Could you hide it in a particularly well-seasoned tuna salad? Probably. But when there are so many better StarKist options to choose from, why would you settle for this watery tuna?

We truly believe that, in the majority of cases, tuna stored in oil is far, far superior to tuna stored in water. Yes, the tuna in water may contain fewer fat and calories, but at what cost?

This may or may not be an unpopular opinion, but we have to say it: Ranch is one of the all-time worst condiments. Therefore, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Tuna Creations Ranch pouch is far from our favorite of the StarKist lineup. Blessedly, you can taste the garlic in this product, but that's really all it has going for it. Otherwise, it just tastes of the creamy salad dressing you use when you don't actually want to taste any vegetables.

We're going to be honest — we probably wouldn't even put this stuff in a salad, let alone eat it on its own or with crackers.

We wanted to like the Tuna Creations Hickory Smoked pouch from StarKist, but we just can't get on board with it. The smokiness is too intense for the mild fish, and it overwhelms the flavor of the tuna entirely. We love the fact that it's packing plenty of flavor, but we definitely think they should have turned down the smoky note and perhaps added additional flavors to make it more complex.

Admittedly, if you want to pick up a pouch of tuna you can eat without anything else, this one is flavored enough to get the job done. Just make sure you really, really like that smoky flavor before you commit.

We know what we said before about storing tuna in water, and we stand by that — it's just not as good as tuna stored in oil. But if you want to nix the oil for health reasons and are looking for a solid, unflavored alternative, then you might want to turn to StarKist's Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water. Because it's not in chunks, you get a much better texture from this product, and it allows you to taste the tuna more. It's definitely not our favorite, but it's a step up from the first canned option we covered.

There are definitely better StarKist options out there to choose from, but we totally understand trying to find a healthier choice. We just wish this one were more delicious.

BBQ flavoring? In tuna? If you ask us, that sounds kind of unhinged, though it seems acceptable for those who wish they were at a cookout instead of eating a pouch of tuna at their work desk. But when you add in the honey flavoring, you lose us completely. That's exactly why StarKist's Tuna Creations Honey BBQ didn't rank higher for us. We firmly believe that there shouldn't be any sweetness in a pouch of tuna, and this product crosses our boundaries.

When it all comes together, it's not as bad as you might assume, but we wouldn't go so far as to call it "good." You might be able to handle this stuff if you love honey BBQ flavoring, but for the rest of us, opting for a different flavor is probably our best bet.

The StarKist ranch flavor was already a disappointment, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Tuna Creations Bacon Ranch pouch doesn't rank much higher. All the problems of the ranch-flavored varieties are still there: That overwhelming creaminess still takes its toll even with the addition of the bacon. However, we will admit that the bacon flavoring at least adds something that's the slightest bit interesting. It has a mild smokiness to it that makes this product bearable.

We certainly wouldn't choose the Tuna Creations Bacon Ranch over most of the other products in this lineup, but we wouldn't necessarily turn it down if it were offered to us.

Here we are again, staring down yet another StarKist tuna product that thinks it has the right to be sweet. We just don't know why this product ever needed to exist. After all, when was the last time you heard someone say that the only thing their tuna salad sandwich was missing was some sugar? Probably never. That's why we can't get fully on board with the Tuna Creations Sweet and Spicy pouch. The sweetness just doesn't work, and it feels like StarKist is trying to force a flavor that just shouldn't exist.

However, the spice in this recipe saves it from being a total bust. It does create a nice balance to the tuna, but we'd rather just have the spice without all the sweetness.

Not everyone likes their tuna to come in a pouch, and similarly, not everyone wants their tuna to come pre-seasoned. If you're working with a recipe that calls for plain tuna or you just want to experiment with flavors yourself, you'll probably want to opt for the Solid White Albacore Tuna in Oil from StarKist. This option is considerably moister than the pouches (in a good way!), and the oil adds a richness that we love.

That being said, if you're looking for plain canned tuna in oil, there are probably better brands to buy from. However, if you're looking for a solid budget-friendly option, then this canned tuna in oil may just be the best way to go.

Sometimes, you want your tuna to have a little kick to it, which is what we love about the Tuna Creations BOLD Jalapeño pouch from StarKist. Now, before you get too excited, you should keep your expectations in check: This isn't a super spicy tuna product, so don't think you're going to be getting a lot of heat. However, the jalapeño flavoring does add a lovely savory, mild heat that makes this tuna pouch more exciting than many on the lineup.

This tuna flavor won't go with everything, but we love it on its own and in dishes where that hint of spice will really shine. Add it to some pasta for a quick meal, or spread it on a cracker for the easiest possible lunch.

Of all the flavored tuna pouches we've seen in our lives, there is perhaps none more intriguing than the Tuna Creations BOLD Red Curry with Coconut pouch from StarKist. At first glance, this doesn't sound like it would be good, as the fishiness seems like it would detract from the flavor of the curry. But we have to admit that this combo isn't too bad. The red chiles, garlic, and lemongrass offer plenty of flavor with every bite, and the addition of coconut milk gives the recipe a creaminess that's actually quite pleasant.

This is another one of those products that can be difficult to combine with other ingredients, so make sure you don't treat this pouch like your average plain can of tuna.

Perhaps you're looking for a canned tuna option that's better than those that have been presented to this point. If that's what you're going for, you need to get your hands on the StarKist E.V.O.O. Solid Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This product seems like it's of a higher quality than the other canned tuna options, and the olive oil has a richness to it that makes every bite more appealing.

Pro tip: Don't throw out the oil that comes in this can of tuna. It's already flavored because tuna's been sitting in it, and it can be used to make a salad dressing or pasta sauce.

If you're like us, it's hard to dislike garlic anything. And when you add savory herbs into the mix, it all comes together perfectly. That's why we're fans of StarKist's Tuna Creations Herb and Garlic pouches. 

We're eternally grateful that they didn't skimp on the garlic in this recipe — you can smell it as soon as you open the pouch. It's not so strong that it'll overpower the other flavors in your tuna dish, but it may just mean that you can take a shortcut and avoid mincing that fresh garlic if you're feeling lazy. The herbs add a nice touch here, giving the tuna even more flavor and even a slight floral quality.

There are several tuna products in this lineup that probably shouldn't be eaten with a ton of other ingredients. There's just so much going on with the other flavors in the pouch that adding anything else could feel like overkill. But when you opt for StarKist's Tuna Creations Lemon Pepper pouch, you're not going to have that same problem. That's because lemon pepper seasoning goes with pretty much anything.

The lemon in this product is super acidic, which adds a nice brightness to the tuna. The pepper offers a savory richness to the fish that keeps the product as a whole in balance.

Looking for a tuna addition to an Asian cuisine-inspired meal? Then you may want to check out the Tuna Creations Ginger Sesame pouch from StarKist. It all starts with a dose of soy sauce, which gives this tuna the saltiness it needs to handle the other ingredients. The sesame seeds add richness and fullness to the equation that's both unexpected and really delicious. Add in that spicy ginger, and it's clear why this flavor is such a success. Garlic and citrus flavors round it all out, giving all of us the complex flavor we're looking for. This pouch is ideal in that it can be eaten on its own or combined with other ingredients for a savory meal.

Craving tuna salad but can't be bothered to chop a ton of ingredients? We're all been there before. You may assume that you'd have to make a trip to your local deli, but that's actually not the case when you can just snag a pouch of StarKist's Tuna Creations Deli Style Tuna Salad. It's a mixture of tuna, crunchy celery, and refreshing water chestnuts, all combined with a tangy sauce that brings it all together.

If you're looking for a quick lunch but don't want to be bothered spending any time in the kitchen, this is probably the right StarKist product for you.

This is another one of StarKist's higher-quality canned tunas, and there's a reason it's ranked so high on this list. The StarKist E.V.O.O. Solid Yellowfin Tuna with Roasted Garlic in Extra Virgin Olive Oil is super, super garlicky, and that's just how we like it. Using this tuna in a recipe will pretty much negate the need for garlic altogether (though we certainly won't blame you if you want to add more). Although this stuff is good on its own, we think it's especially tasty when it's tossed with some pasta for an easy mid-day meal. Give it a try if you can never get enough garlic in your life.

Finally, there's a StarKist tuna pouch for all the spicy food lovers out there. It's the StarKist Tuna Creations BOLD Sriracha, and it's definitely one of our favorites of the lineup. Red chili peppers, garlic, and tuna come together to create a symphony of spice and flavor that's hard not to love. And if you're worried about the spice level, you can relax — this stuff isn't too intense.

For those who want to add a punch of flavor to any tuna dish, starting with this sriracha-spiked pouch is a smart move. Put it in a salad, on a wrap, or in a sandwich for a whole new tuna experience.

Korean food lovers have to get their hands on this next StarKist product. We won't lie — we were hesitant about trying the Tuna Creations BOLD Spicy Korean Style with Gochujang. After all, the spicy, sort of sweet gochujang is so delicious, we thought it might pair strangely with the tuna. Alas, we were wrong.

This tuna pouch contains gochujang along with onion and garlic to give the tuna a bit of an extra kick. We absolutely love making rice bowls with this stuff because it adds a layer of interesting flavor it would otherwise be hard to achieve. Of course, feel free to add even more gochujang to the recipe if that's what you're craving!

There are so many different sauces in the world, but it's important to remember that they're not all created equally. But coming in at the very top of all of those sauces has to be hot buffalo sauce. It's spicy, it's tangy, but it's somehow also refreshing. How can you not like that? That's why we knew we were in for a treat the first time we tried StarKist's Tuna Creations BOLD Hot Buffalo pouch.

This buffalo-flavored tuna is what flavorful lunch dreams are made of. It's not too spicy but still has just enough kick to keep you coming back for more. Extra touches of paprika and vinegar make this tuna product a no-brainer in any household that loves bold flavors.

Thai chili is probably one of the most beloved flavors of all time, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that we're absolutely obsessed with StarKist's Tuna Creations BOLD Thai Chili pouches. The first thing you notice is the heat — it's not as mild as you may have assumed. The next thing that hits you is a subtle sweetness. Now, we know we already said that we don't love a super-sweet sauce combined with tuna, but we'll make an exception here. You actually don't pick up a ton of sweetness in this product — it seems well-integrated with the spice. Give it a try for yourself if you want to see what this Thai chili-flavored tuna is like.

Finally, we come to the best of the best. We were surprised to find that our absolute favorite StarKist product we tried was actually in a can, not in a pouch. That product is StarKist E.V.O.O. Solid Yellowfin Tuna with Lemon Dill in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and you should believe us when we say that every dill lover in the world should grab a can and get a taste of what this stuff is all about.

The dill flavor in this product is exceptionally strong, but not in an overpowering way. You won't have to buy any extra dill to pick up on the flavor here. This is an especially great option for salads when you want to taste that fresh herbiness.