These tuna tacos are a quick and delicious meal that can be whipped up in no time. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a casual get-together, they combine the savory flavor of tuna with fresh, crisp vegetables and creamy sour cream, all wrapped in a crunchy taco shell.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, but if you don't usually keep taco shells on hand, you'll need to pick some up at the supermarket. Additionally, make sure you have sour cream and fresh lettuce and tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.

Ingredients For Tuna Tacos Recipe
Tuna: Canned tuna is a convenient and protein-packed option for these tacos. Make sure to drain it well before cooking.
Lettuce: Shredded lettuce adds a fresh, crunchy element to the tacos. Iceberg or romaine lettuce works well.
Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes provide a juicy, tangy contrast to the tuna. Use ripe, firm tomatoes for the best results.
Sour cream: A dollop of sour cream adds a creamy, tangy finish to the tacos. You can use regular or light sour cream.
Taco shells: Crunchy taco shells are the vessel for all the delicious fillings. Warm them up before assembling the tacos.
Technique Tip for Making Tacos
To enhance the flavor of the tuna, consider adding a splash of lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper while cooking it in the skillet. This will give the tuna a zesty and well-seasoned taste, elevating your tacos to the next level.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
tuna - Substitute with salmon: Salmon offers a similar texture and a rich flavor that complements the other taco ingredients.
tuna - Substitute with chicken breast: Cooked and shredded chicken breast provides a mild flavor and a meaty texture that works well in tacos.
shredded lettuce - Substitute with cabbage: Shredded cabbage adds a crunchy texture and holds up well in tacos without wilting.
shredded lettuce - Substitute with spinach: Fresh spinach leaves offer a slightly different flavor and a boost of nutrients.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with salsa: Salsa adds a bit more flavor and spice, enhancing the overall taste of the tacos.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers provide a sweet and smoky flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt offers a similar creamy texture with added protein and a slight tang.
sour cream - Substitute with avocado: Mashed avocado provides a creamy texture and a rich, buttery flavor.
taco shells - Substitute with lettuce wraps: Lettuce wraps offer a low-carb alternative and add a fresh, crisp texture.
taco shells - Substitute with soft tortillas: Soft tortillas provide a different texture and can be easier to handle than crunchy taco shells.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Tacos
How to Store or Freeze Tacos
- Allow the tuna to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the taco shells soggy.
- Store the tuna mixture separately from the taco shells and other toppings. Place the tuna in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Keep the taco shells in their original packaging or transfer them to a resealable plastic bag to maintain their crispness. Store at room temperature.
- For the shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes, place them in separate airtight containers or resealable bags. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Sour cream should be stored in its original container or transferred to an airtight container. Refrigerate and use within the expiration date.
- To freeze the tuna mixture, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thaw the frozen tuna mixture in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheat the tuna mixture in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Warm the taco shells in the oven or microwave just before serving to restore their crispness.
- Assemble the tuna tacos with the reheated tuna, fresh shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream for a quick and delicious meal.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the assembled tuna tacos on a baking sheet. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the taco shells from getting too crispy. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Use a microwave for a quick reheat. Place the tuna tacos on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to keep the taco shells from drying out. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
For a stovetop method, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the tuna tacos in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure both sides are warmed evenly.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the tuna tacos in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, checking frequently to avoid over-crisping the taco shells.
For a toaster oven, preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place the tuna tacos on the toaster oven tray and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10 minutes or until warmed through, ensuring the taco shells remain crispy but not burnt.
Essential Tools for Making Tacos
Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the tuna over medium heat.
Oven: Used to warm the taco shells if you prefer them heated this way.
Microwave: An alternative to the oven for warming the taco shells quickly.
Spatula: Useful for stirring and breaking up the tuna in the skillet.
Can opener: Necessary for opening the cans of tuna.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sour cream accurately.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for dicing the tomatoes.
Knife: Essential for dicing the tomatoes.
Mixing bowl: Can be used to hold the shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes before assembling the tacos.
Spoon: Useful for adding the sour cream to each taco.
How to Save Time on Making Tacos
Prepare ingredients in advance: Drain and flake the tuna, shred the lettuce, and dice the tomatoes ahead of time to streamline the process.
Use pre-shredded lettuce: Opt for pre-shredded lettuce to save time on preparation.
Microwave taco shells: Warm the taco shells in the microwave for a quicker option.
Batch cooking: Cook the tuna in a larger batch and store it for future meals.
Assemble efficiently: Lay out all ingredients in an assembly line to quickly fill the taco shells.

Tuna Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans Tuna drained
- 1 cup Shredded Lettuce
- 1 cup Diced Tomatoes
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- 8 pieces Taco Shells
Instructions
- 1. Heat the skillet over medium heat.
- 2. Add the drained tuna to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- 3. Warm the taco shells in the oven or microwave.
- 4. Fill each taco shell with cooked tuna, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream.
- 5. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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