This $1.55 ALDI Canned Tuna Is a Bumble Bee Dupe (and It’s Cheaper)

Often underappreciated by some while being an absolute lifesaver of a pantry staple for many, canned tuna is one of the most versatile foods I have ever added to my grocery list. As a kid who grew up with a single mother, I quickly learned the value of affordable ingredients and understood just how pertinent to my survival they were as I moved out on my own. 

Fast forward to my current mid 30-year-old self and my understanding of the culinary possibilities of a simple helping of canned tuna has grown tenfold. Tuna is a high-protein meal option that, when paired with the right ingredients, can taste ten times better than you ever imagined something from a tin can would. There are also a handful of different species of tuna that you can purchase canned versions of, with the most common being albacore, yellowfin and skipjack. 

If I had to settle on a brand of canned tuna that I would call my favorite, it’s ALDI’s own Northern Catch Solid White Albacore Tuna. It’s nearly a direct duplicate of Bumble Bee Tuna but it’s much cheaper. Most of the time I like to stay out of the whole, “who does it better” conversation, but for the sake of versatility, saving money, and not sacrificing flavor, I figure it’s time to once again give ALDI their flowers. 

What I Love About ALDI’s Solid White Albacore Tuna

With the average cost of a can resting somewhere between $2 and $5, I can’t help but stock up on ALDI’s Solid White Albacore during every grocery run. Just like other canned tuna, ALDI’s version is rich in vitamin D and B-12, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which support a healthy heart. And the best part is each can retail for only $1.55, depending on location.

Albacore tuna is much chunkier than other types of tuna, and this ALDI offering is no exception. Each bite is hearty and packed full of that classic tuna taste while showing no signs of gray/brown ribbons or hints of foul odors. To me, it’s always a reliable choice over its name-brand counterparts, and the overall consensus on the ALDI subreddit tends to be the same. 

“I was once using about six cans of tuna,” one experienced shopper wrote in response to a post praising the ALDI brand, “so I opened Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, Wegmans house brand, and two cans of ALDI.” After opening each can, the commenter discovered that ALDI has by far the highest quality, noting that the entire contents of the can were “all solid white” and “smelled the best, too.” 

How I Like to Use a Can of ALDI’s Solid White Albacore Tuna

As I mentioned before, canned tuna is an incredibly versatile pantry ingredient. As a kid, I would make a classic tuna melt after school and pair it with an ice-cold Coca-Cola like a little boss. These days, I alternate between sandwiches, casseroles, and salads just to keep things fresh and a little less repetitive. I’ve even done a twist to hamburger night with tuna patties replacing the burger patties and taking some of my favorite one-pot pasta recipes to the next level with canned tuna.

If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your own canned tuna salad recipes, look to add ingredients like Greek yogurt, dill pickles, chopped spinach, cabbage, and cucumber. Smashed avocado and grated raw zucchini can also add a nice contrast of flavors, as well as a dollop of Dijon or stone-ground mustard.