Tuna Empanada Filling (Versatile & Great For Meal Prep)

Have you ever tried Tuna Empanada? Known for its delicious short-cut pastry parcel, I've always been a fan of the flavorful, tomato-y, peppery fish filling. Today, I'll guide you on how to make the tuna, peppers, and tomato mixture that goes into Spanish empanada pies. This dish is incredibly versatile, perfect for meal prep, and can be used in countless ways. If you're on the lookout for new, healthy canned tuna recipes, be sure to save this one!

What Is Empanada?

During your travels through Spain or Latin America, you're bound to stumble upon empanada bakeries. An Empanada is a baked or fried turnover, consisting of pastry and filling, with many variations of this delightful snack worldwide.

The fillings range from beef, cheese, corn, chicken, fish, and vegetables, but my personal favorite has always been the tuna empanada from Spain. A classic in Galician cuisine, this empanada combines tuna with braised onions, peppers, and tomatoes, offering a savory, slightly sweet, and acidic flavor profile.

Tuna Empanada Filling

I've always believed that this empanada filling is a fantastic way to utilize canned tuna and can be incorporated into various other dishes.

Canned tuna is not only nutritious and budget-friendly but also packed with protein, essential fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Be sure to opt for responsibly sourced tuna. Additionally, other tinned fish like salmon and sardines can be substituted in this recipe.

Ways To Use Up Tuna Empanada Filling

While making empanadas is the most obvious choice, there are several other creative ways to enjoy the tuna filling.

• Stuff sweet potatoes or jacket baked potatoes with the tuna and peppers mixture. For a low-carb alternative, use it to fill peppers, zucchini, spaghetti squash, and more. How about keto-friendly stuffed avocados with tuna filling?

• Top corn tortilla nachos with the filling, add cheese, and grill until melted. You can also try it with sweet potato chips without cheese. I recommend serving it with guacamole on top. How about tuna tacos?

• Use the filling in wraps, sandwiches, lettuce cups, seaweed nori rolls, and cheese toasties.


• Include it in salads like potato and tuna salad, gluten-free pasta tuna salad, and quinoa and tuna salad.


• Create a casserole with quinoa, rice, gluten-free pasta, veggies, and the tasty tuna filling, baked with or without cheese on top.


• Prepare a tuna Shepherd's pie or fish pie with a sweet potato or regular potato crust.


• Experiment with a tuna omelette.


• Or simply enjoy it straight out of the container for a quick, protein-rich snack!

How To Make Tuna Empanada Filling Mix

While you'll find the complete recipe, instructions, and nutritional breakdown below, here are some step-by-step visuals to guide you through the process.

Step 1. Dice all the veggies. Feel free to use white or red onions, and if you don't have both red and green peppers, using one color is perfectly fine.

Step 2. Although not always included in the filling, green olives (a Spanish favorite) and roasted or grilled red peppers can add an extra special touch. Dice them up and incorporate them into the mixture.

Step 3. The key to a delectable tuna empanada filling lies in sautéing the onions, peppers, and garlic in ample olive oil until they turn soft and slightly caramelized. This process enhances the veggies' sweetness and flavors. Don't rush this step! Once softened, add the spices, tomatoes, and tuna.

Step 4. Once everything is mixed, allow the tuna to cook in the sauce for a bit longer and finish by adding a few slices of roasted peppers and olives.

Store this Spanish tuna filling in an airtight container for 4-5 days. It can be enjoyed cold or reheated, with the option to add a bit more water to the tomato passata during reheating for extra liquid.

More Recipes With Canned Fish