I haven't had "canned tuna" in ages. But when I do, it is Bumble fee Fancy albacore packed in water, in the pouch. Drain it in a sieve.

The albacore white has more mercury than the light, if I recall. Most cans have bpa unless they state otherwise. So, probably, the pouch stuff is safer although who knows these days. I still like glass best.

As far as quality, the chunk white is usually the best unless you can find whole white.

Costco's Kirkland brand albacore. Once you try it, you'll never buy anything else. It looks and tastes delicious.

I second the vote for Costco's Kirkland brand. Be careful to choose albacore though because they have some other kind that's not as good.

The other is their new "light" tuna, I believe. Some people prefer light over albacore. I haven't tried the light so I can't comment about it, but they had a write-up in the Costco magazine last month and it is said to be superior to other light tunas as it contains only one species of tuna whereas other brands contain a mixture of many varieties.

I have had the same experience as you, Dee.. even with the Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore. it wasn't always that way. I would be embarrassed to say how many cans of tuna I have in the pantry-- but I have switched to the pouches Mtn mentioned. The quality is better and it doesn't have that "tuna soup" you'll find in the cans.

I keep the pouches (and presumably the cans) for quick meals but I much prefer grilling a tuna steak for salads.

I buy Raincoast Trading Albacore. Nice big chunks, dry and really good taste. Plus they practice sustainability, have BPA free cans, wild caught, yada yada yada . . .Raincoast Trading

I buy Trader Joe's Skipjack tuna packed in water.TJ's skipjack tuna

Annie, the skipjack tj's sounds great, but I am so cynical. I doubt their proclamations.

Wild Planet Wild Albacore tuna. It's pricey, but so much better than the Bumblebee/Kirkland stuff. It actually tastes like tuna and not liquid or the metal can. They catch smaller fish and apparently it's lower mercury than others, too.

we limit the amount of tuna to once or twice a month...and have switched to the pricier albacore (and yes) higher mercury...sigh...

I third or fourth the Costco albacore recommendation. It's well-priced, solid in the can, and doesn't have tuna 'soup'. I have to say, though, that although I used to eat tuna at least twice a week, I can no longer tolerate any tuna odor and barely eat it once a month.

We've been buying the Wegman's brand solid white tuna for about a year now. The meat is in large pieces that you can flake off - it's not mushy and full of water.

I order Oregon's Best albacore and line-caught salmon; it's expensive so my parents and my family share an order. Very fresh!

Of course, whenever I open any can of tuna, I drain it so the kitties can share in the tuna juice!

I rarely eat tuna but as a child I would only eat Albacore. You have all made me crave tuna salad. My DM made the best ever. Unfortunately I never bothered to watch her make it so I don't know what the ingredients were except for tuna, mayo, and onion. Anyone have suggestions?

I typically make mine with chopped up celery, mayo, salt, pepper and some dried tarragon.

That sounds good Annie, thanks for the tip. I want to try it.

Tuna, scallions, capers, thyme, lemon zest, egg, mayo, s&p

Most often, I make mine very much like Annie's recipe. I do like to add a bit of tart apple every once in awhile. I also love a lemon, tuna, white bean salad... or whole wheat shells, carrots, celery, scallion, tuna and mayo.

I haven't made tuna salad for several years- would make it occ for my oldest child's lunches- he loved it, but smiled when I saw Annie's comment! I am sure our cat is sad to not have not heard the can opener opening her 'tuna juice' !! she was not picky about brands! I will have to make some soon just so she can have her treat! :)

If I want to serve a fancier tuna salad with pasta, I enjoy this version from Epicurious

Tuna with mayo, a little Dijon, sweet relish (I don't like pickles but I like relish in tuna salad, what's up with that!) chopped apple, salt, diced celery, maybe a little dill.

I was off tuna for quite awhile too after having a very fishy can. I'm not a fish eater. I started eating it again a few months ago and buy premium white albacore in a gold can. It's either Bumble Bee or Chicken of the Sea--I don't have any right now to check. I have the pouch in my pantry but haven't tried it yet. But I do add a good spoonful of sweet relish to mask the tuna taste. I don't like deli meats so it's hard to come up with a lunch every day.

All the suggestions sound yummy!

I tried the pouch today and it's pretty mild. Was nice not to squeeze the lid.

I love tuna, too. My favorite is Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore in Water.
It has to be "solid white" for my preference. I never knew to look for it in a pouch. I will look next time I shop.