For a small BBQ side dish or filling, a single 145g tin of tuna chunks in spring water is a straightforward starting point; Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Princes each list that format. If you need more tuna, compare a 160g tin, but check the drained weight as well as the net weight. If you intend to grill the tuna itself, follow the exact product's preparation instructions rather than assuming every tinned steak is suitable for direct grilling.
If you need tuna for one side dish, filling or mixture, a single tin avoids committing to a multipack. Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Princes list 145g spring-water chunks; check drained weight when the amount of tuna in the dish matters.
If salt is a deciding label detail, compare products on the same basis. The researched Sainsbury's listing states 0.12g salt per 100g drained, while Princes states 0.85g and Tesco and Asda each state 0.90g per 100g drained. Check the tin you buy for its current figures.
If a sourcing statement matters for a shared dish, check the exact product: Sainsbury's states pole-and-line catch and an MSC-certified fishery for its 145g tin. M&S states pole-and-line catch for a 160g spring-water tin.
Decide whether the tuna will be mixed into a dish or cooked on the grill, then check the tin's usable quantity, label and serving instructions.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion and format | Compare net and drained weights; Tesco lists 102g drained for its 145g tin. Choose chunks for a mixed dish rather than expecting an intact tuna steak. | If I am making one BBQ side or filling, I need enough tuna without buying a multipack, and its form must suit the recipe. About 42% of consumers put portion and format first. |
| Label and sourcing | Compare salt on the same per-100g basis, check ingredients and the fish allergen declaration, and read any sourcing statement on the exact tin. | When seasoning or sourcing affects my choice, I want to read the product's own label rather than assume spring-water tins are alike. For about 33% of consumers, label and sourcing details are the primary concern. |
| Outdoor serving and leftovers | Check the post-opening storage instruction and whether you can keep the tuna covered, chilled and separate from raw-meat equipment. | At a BBQ with raw meat being prepared, I need a way to serve tuna separately and refrigerate any leftovers. Safe serving and storage come first for about 25% of consumers. |
Liquid contributes to a tin's net weight: Tesco lists 102g drained weight for its 145g spring-water tin. The researched spring-water labels also differ in salt per 100g drained.
Check drained weight for your recipe and compare nutrition figures on the same stated basis.
The researched Sainsbury's label says to use refrigerated leftovers within 1 day; Tesco, Asda and M&S specify within 2 days. Opened tuna should not be left in the can for storage.
Transfer unused tuna to a suitable covered container, refrigerate it and follow the instruction on the tin you bought.
Ready-to-eat tuna can be contaminated by boards or utensils used for raw barbecue meat. GOV.UK advises keeping food covered and chilled until needed for outdoor cooking.
Wash hands and use separate, clean utensils and serving dishes for the tuna.
Tesco and Sainsbury's state MSC-certified fishery sourcing for the researched products, while Sainsbury's and M&S state pole-and-line catch for theirs. Those statements describe particular products, not every tuna tin sold under each name.
If sourcing affects your decision, read the current pack or product page for the exact variant.
John West has a tuna-chunks-in-spring-water range.
Princes lists a 145g single-tin size of tuna chunks in spring water alongside multipacks.
Tesco lists a 145g own-label tin of skipjack chunks in spring water.
Sainsbury's lists 145g spring-water chunks with stated pole-and-line catch and MSC-certified fishery sourcing.
Asda lists a 145g own-label tin of skipjack chunks in spring water.
M&S lists a 160g spring-water tuna-chunks tin with stated pole-and-line catch.
These tins cover chunks for mixed BBQ dishes and steak-format tuna for meals where preparation method matters. Only the Tropical Sun brine-packed steaks are described here with specific grilling instructions; check each other tin's directions before putting its contents on a grill.
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For a meal where you intend to cook the tuna, this steak-format tin has stated grilling instructions. The product guidance says it is not ready to eat: cook it thoroughly until piping hot. It contains fish; after opening, transfer unused contents to a covered container, refrigerate and consume within 24 hours. The listing also says its texture is not suitable for children under 4.
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For a small BBQ side or filling, this single tin provides chunks rather than intact steaks. Check the drained weight if your recipe requires a particular amount of tuna. It contains fish; transfer leftovers to a non-metallic lidded container, refrigerate and consume within two days.
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For a mixed dish needing a 160g tin, these spring-water chunks are described as ready to eat or suitable for adding to dishes. Check the pack's nutrition basis before comparing its figures with drained-weight labels. The listing identifies fish and possible traces of soybeans and wheat; refrigerate unused contents in an airtight container and consume within two days.
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For a BBQ meal served without grilling the tuna directly, this sunflower-oil-packed steak option is described as ready to eat or suitable for gentle warming. If you want to grill it, check the pack for preparation directions first. It contains fish; transfer leftovers to a covered non-metallic container, refrigerate and consume within 24 hours.
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For a dish calling for steak-format tuna packed in olive oil, this is a 160g tin. Check its preparation directions before planning to grill the tuna itself. It contains fish; refrigerate any unused contents after opening and consume within two days.
Follow the exact tin's storage instruction. The researched Tesco, Asda and M&S products specify transferring leftovers to a suitable container, refrigerating them and using them within 2 days; the researched Sainsbury's product specifies use within 1 day.
Tuna is fish, so check the exact pack's ingredients and allergen information before serving it. The researched Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and M&S listings identify fish, and individual products may carry additional allergen information.
Keep ready-to-eat tuna covered and chilled until serving, with clean utensils and dishes separate from those used for raw meat. GOV.UK's BBQ food-safety guidance advises keeping food covered and chilled until needed and avoiding cross-contamination.
The Food Standards Agency advises people who are pregnant or trying for a baby to have no more than four medium tins of tuna a week, or two tuna steaks a week. It describes a medium tin as around 140g drained; that is weekly consumption guidance, not a measure of the net weight printed on a single tin.