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I tried canned tuna from StarKist, Bumble Bee, Trader Joe’s, and Good & Gather.
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The Trader Joe’s version was OK, but I’d definitely buy the Bumble Bee tuna again.
I’m no stranger to a tasty tuna fish meal. Whether I’m making a sandwich, pasta dish, or high-protein snack, I love cracking open a can of tuna to enjoy.
So, to see which canned option is best, I tried four brands of white Albacore tuna in water from Good & Gather, StarKist, Bumble Bee, and Trader Joe’s.
In an effort to get the truest experience from each option, I simply scooped some out to taste on a cracker.
Here’s how the taste test went.
I wasn’t a fan of the StarKist tuna.
The first thing I noticed after opening the can of StarKist tuna ($2.30) was that a very fishy aroma filled the kitchen. Though this one had a strong smell, I was surprised by how bland it tasted.
The texture was dense, but the fish seemed dry even though it had been sitting in water in the can.
I expected more from Trader Joe’s tuna.
According to the can, the Trader Joe’s tuna ($2) I picked up was unsalted, and I could certainly tell when I took a bite.
The taste was fishier than the StarKist version, but offered more moisture, which added to the overall experience.
Though this was certainly better in taste and moisture compared to StarKist, I probably wouldn’t buy it again.
I was pleasantly surprised by the Bumble Bee tuna.
When I opened the can of Bumble Bee tuna ($2.49), I couldn’t help but notice it resembled generic cat food. However, I’m glad I didn’t base my opinion on appearance alone.
To my surprise, this option offered the most flavor and moisture of the four I tried. Unlike some of the others, it didn’t have a flat fish note.
The Good & Gather tuna was my least favorite.
I was excited to try the Good & Gather version, which is Target’s house brand. When I attempted to scoop the Good & Gather tuna ($2.30), though, I noticed it was kind of hard.
It did have some pink pieces, which gave me hope for the taste, but ultimately, I was disappointed when I took a bite.
The little flavor present was most akin to the StarKist tuna. I also didn’t love the texture and found it had low moisture retention.
Of the four options I tried, the Bumble Bee canned tuna was my favorite.
Before tasting all four cans of tuna, I didn’t expect the taste to vary much between brands. However, Bumble Bee’s white Albacore tuna proved me wrong.
The Bumble Bee option offered great flavor, texture, and moisture. It was even better when I added it to spaghetti alla carrettiera for dinner that night.
Though I could appreciate the Trader Joe’s tuna, especially after adding salt to bring out its fishiness, I found its flavor fell flat in comparison to Bumble Bee’s version.
I’ll definitely look for Bumble Bee next time I visit the grocery store.
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