Some people don’t like canned tuna, but I still like tuna fish sandwiches, just like my mom used to make them. That’s all I eat; solid albacore. The mercury level doesn’t bother me enough to eat that cat food they call chunk light tuna.
When I want dark meat tuna, I like Italian or Spanish style tuna in olive oil. This is usually bigeye or yellowfin tuna, but it seems better quality when skipjack (also called light tuna) is used. I like to put this kind of tuna on pizza or even make a tuna sauce for pasta. The Ventresca de Bonito I reviewed earlier this year was superb and delicious right out of the can. But albacore (white tuna) is the only kind of tuna I’ll eat in a traditional tuna fish sandwich (or tuna salad if it has more than just mayo).
I only eat a few cans of tuna a month, but that’s enough over the course of my lifetime (plus the jobs I’ve had in kitchens) to notice that the quality has gotten worse. When I say this, I really mean that some kinds of canned tuna are almost like luxury items. The cheap tuna I can get (under $4 a can) from the “big three” tuna companies has shrunk and isn’t quite “solid” albacore anymore.
In the meantime, pouched tuna, which doesn’t need to be drained, has taken up a lot more space in the canned seafood section of our supermarkets. In theory this would mean you are getting more net weight for your buck. I read a lot of reviews about the different kinds of tuna in a pouch online, and most of them agreed that it tasted and was made better than canned tuna. It may also be safer than canned tuna.
To be honest, most of what I read came from people who were worried about the “chemicals” that come with canning. Some of them knew more than others. I can only speak for myself on this front, but I think a lot of this is overblown. When it comes to seafood additives and preservatives, I’m just as worried about how these “chemicals” trick people as I am about their health.
Tuna is a versatile and healthy protein source that comes in convenient canned and pouched packaging. But if you’ve ever tried substituting canned tuna for pouched tuna (or vice versa) in a recipe, you know it can get confusing figuring out equivalent amounts. So how many pouches of tuna equal a standard can? Let’s decode this tuna equation.
The Popularity and Convenience of Canned Tuna
Canned tuna has been a pantry staple for generations, prized for its nutrition, affordability and versatility. The canned format allows tuna to remain shelf-stable for 1-5 years, provides easy storage and lets you use just what you need. No wonder the average American eats over 3 pounds of canned tuna every year!
Recently pouched tuna has emerged as an alternative packaging format. The lightweight single-serve pouches are great for lunches and recipes needing smaller amounts of tuna. But figuring out pouch to can conversions can be tricky.
Why Understanding Pouch-to-Can Ratios is Important
When a recipe calls for a 6 oz can of tuna, can you simply substitute two 3 oz pouches? Unfortunately, it’s not that straightforward. To accurately swap cans and pouches, you need to understand:
- The different sizes of cans and pouches
- How tuna is packed in each format
- The effect of packing method on weight
Learning a few simple conversions will ensure your recipes turn out right when substituting tuna packaging formats.
Key Differences Between Canned Tuna and Pouches
Typical Sizes
Canned tuna is sold in common sizes like 5 oz and 6 oz cans up to 12 oz family-size cans.
Pouched tuna comes in sizes like 2.5 oz, 3 oz and 5 oz, designed for single servings. Some larger 7-8 oz multi-serve pouches exist too.
Packing Method
Canned tuna contains the tuna and packing liquid whether that’s oil, water or seasoning.
Pouched tuna often contains tuna plus water, oil and seasonings. The moisture content is higher than cans.
Net Weight vs Total Weight
Cans list just the tuna weight, excluding packing liquid. A 5 oz can contains 5 oz tuna.
Pouches list the total weight including tuna and liquids. A 3 oz pouch may contain only 2 oz tuna.
Calculating Pouch-to-Can Tuna Conversions
To convert between cans and pouches, consider the net tuna weight along with packing liquid differences. Here are some examples:
-
A 5 oz can of tuna contains approximately 5 oz tuna. Two 3 oz pouches (6 oz total) likely equal a 5 oz can.
-
A 6 oz can equals about three 2.5 oz pouches or two 3 oz pouches (accounting for higher liquid content in pouches).
-
One 12 oz can equals four to five 3 oz pouches depending on pouch ingredients.
Let’s look at the math to convert between different sizes.
Useful Conversion Factors
- There are approximately 28-30 grams per ounce of tuna.
- A 6 oz can contains about 170 grams tuna and a 5 oz can about 142 grams.
- An average 3 oz pouch contains about 2 oz or 56 grams tuna.
Sample Pouch to Can Calculations
-
A 6 oz can (170 g) equals about three 3 oz pouches (3 x 56g = 168g)
-
A 5 oz can (142g) is approximately two 3 oz pouches (2 x 56g = 112g)
-
Four 3 oz pouches (4 x 56g = 224g) equals one 12 oz can (340g)
As you can see, the tuna equation requires a bit of math but it’s useful for substituting cans and pouches correctly.
Tips for Converting Canned Tuna to Pouches
Want to swap out cans for pouches in your recipes? Here are some tips:
-
Check the tuna weight called for, not just the can size.
-
Calculate the number of pouches needed based on 2 oz actual tuna per 3 oz pouch.
-
Reduce cooking liquid slightly since pouches contain more moisture.
-
Add seasonings to mimic flavored pouches like lemon pepper or herb.
-
For salads, sandwich fillings and snacks, break tuna into flakes to mimic pouch texture.
With the right calculations, pouches can easily stand in for canned tuna!
Comparing Cost: Cans vs. Pouches
How do cans and pouches compare cost-wise? Consider:
-
Pouches initially cost more than cans ounce-for-ounce. A 3 oz pouch averages $.80 vs $.60 for a 5 oz can.
-
But pouches contain less liquid so you may use less to get the same tuna quantity. Factor in usable tuna amounts, not total weight.
-
Pouches let you use just what you need so there’s less waste. Open cans must be used promptly before tuna deteriorates.
-
Flavored pouches add convenience over seasoning canned tuna yourself.
For grab-and-go convenience, pouches win. But for bigger tuna needs, cans offer savings.
Environmental Impact Considerations
Both cans and pouches offer conveniences, but which is better for the environment?
-
Cans require more energy to produce but metals like aluminum are efficiently recycled. Look for recycled cans.
-
Pouches generate less waste but combine plastic and aluminum. Not all facilities recycle them, so check locally.
-
For lowest impact, choose pole and line, troll caught or sustainably fished tuna in BPA-free packaging.
With some thought, you can find earth-friendly cans and pouches to suit your needs.
Get Cooking with Cans and Pouches!
Armed with the knowledge to convert between cans and pouches, you can substitute packaging formats for any recipe. No more guessing games!
Some tasty ways to enjoy both canned and pouched tuna:
- Tuna melts or sandwiches
- Tuna pasta bakes or casseroles
- Tuna salads with mayo or yogurt
- Tuna lettuce wraps
- Quick tuna patties or croquettes
With the right conversions, you can swap cans and pouches to enjoy tuna’s convenience, nutrition and versatility. Now get cooking with your tuna!
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tuna_annotated1-c1a8a08c5be445ef9329d33e5315f84f.jpg)
Canned vs. Pouch Tuna: A Comparison
I bought pouched and canned tuna to compare. For consistency I chose two similar sized products (both 5 oz net weight) of Bumble Bee Brand albacore tuna since that is the brand I usually buy. I made two identical tuna sandwiches out of them with just a little salt, pepper and a dollop of mayo. Here is my comparison between canned and pouched tuna.
When it comes to the “Big 3” tuna companies, I’ve found that Bumble Bee always seems to have the best solid albacore tuna. When I open the can, I expect to see something that still looks like a firm, blocky tuna loin. They stopped making Bumble Bee’s “heritage pack,” which I thought was very good, so I chose their Prime Fillet for this review.
A look at the ingredients shows the can contains: white tuna (albacore), water and salt….oh and pyrophosphate. This is a family of additives in many foods that act as stabilizers and used in seafood for water retention (similar to STPP). According to rival StarKist brands FAQ page, Big Tuna uses this additive mainly to keep mineral crystals from forming in albacore and it is not used in light tuna. Although this chemical is considered safe in small amounts, consumers should be aware of it just in case of allergies or chemical sensitivity.
When I opened the can and drained the water, I saw good, but not great-looking albacore. In the past the Prime Filet cans has one solid chunk from a tuna loin. This particular can however, was not one solid piece, which was a little disappointing. When I took it out of the can, it looked like what I thought it would: big chunks of tuna that I broke up before adding mayo. There was enough to make two small sandwiches or one medium sized sub. The taste was good, like almost every other tuna fish sandwich I’ve had recently. There were no off flavors, and the light tuna didn’t taste fishy like some light tuna can.
So first off take a look at the ingredients: White tuna, water and the aforementioned pyrophosphate. Why does my tuna have soy and vegetable broth in it? I haven’t even opened the package yet, and I’m getting mad. The soy is said to be part of the vegetable broth, but it needs to be marked because it can cause food allergies. StarKist, a competitor, also puts vegetable broth in their pouches, and their Frequently Asked Questions page says it’s to make the taste better. Which makes me wonder why it’s needed in pouched tuna but not in the can I just sampled.
When I think about the extra broth, I think that the pouches are cheaper to make and have a higher markup. For the same net weight you have an added ingredient that contains a potential allergen. Since you don’t drain this tuna, the broth is still inside the fish, so it makes sense that it makes up some of the net weight of the product. In effect, I paid about a dollar more for less tuna compared to the can. Even though some tuna companies have been accused of cheating customers in the past, I didn’t weigh the goods so I took the package at face value.
The front s shows a fork-full of solid tuna. But when I open the package, what do I see? A pile of mush. You don’t know how these tuna pouches are handled, but a can can handle some damage as long as it’s not holed. They could be tossed across the warehouse or stepped on by careless handlers through the supply chain. How would you know? I’d rather have an aluminum can than a thin pouch. At least with a can, you can tell when it was dropped on the way to the store.
The one saving grace for me was the taste. It was a little “fresher” than the can, and I didn’t need to use as much mayonnaise. However you can chalk that up to the added vegetable broth. Without the broth, it’s not possible to say whether the pouch or canning method makes the food taste better.
Is tuna healthier in a can or pouch?
FAQ
Is a pouch of tuna equivalent to a can?
How much tuna is in a pouch?
|
Servings Per Container: 1
|
|
|
Serving Size: 1 pouch (2.6 oz./74g)
|
|
|
Vitamin C
|
0%
|
|
Vitamin D
|
6%
|
|
Calcium
|
0%
|
Is canned or pouch tuna better?
How many tuna pouches can I eat in a week?
What is the difference between canned tuna & pouch tuna?
Pouch tuna also tends to be more expensive than canned tuna, with Live Strong noting that pouched tuna costs nearly double as much as canned tuna on a per-ounce basis. Tuna pouches also take up less space than tuna cans, though cans provide more protection than pouches. Pouches are also not recyclable, while cans are.
How much does a tuna pouch weigh?
On the other hand, tuna pouches usually come in standardized sizes, such as 2.6 ounces, 3 ounces, or 4.5 ounces. Unlike cans, the weight mentioned on the pouch includes both the tuna and any liquid or oil present. To determine the number of pouches equivalent to a can, you need to consider various factors, including water content and flake size.
Can you substitute a can of tuna for a pouch?
Let’s say you have a recipe that calls for a 5-ounce can of tuna. To substitute it with pouches, you would need to calculate the equivalent weight. If a pouch weighs 3 ounces, you would need approximately 1.67 pouches to match the 5-ounce can. When substituting cans with pouches, it’s important to consider the water content and flake size.
Should you eat canned tuna or a pouch?
Cans are heavier than pouches, and this may be enough of a reason to select the latter. Yet, pouch tuna does not require draining, so if you’re on the go, camping, or need a quick snack, it can be eaten immediately. At the same time, canned tuna must be entirely sealed in water and drained after.