Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (2025)

By Monika Last Updated 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe

This tuna spread is rich, creamy and made without mayonnaise. It’s delicious in sandwiches, on toast, as a snack or appetizer. It’s simple and easy to make and ready in minutes!

Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (1)

This 6-ingredient tuna spread is a delicious lunchbox idea, a great alternative to tuna salad. It’s creamy, nutritious and packed with flavour.

Is tuna pate healthy

Yes, it is! This tuna pate is low in fat as it is made using tuna in brine (rather than oil), a small amount of butter and some cream cheese (you can use a reduced fat variety if you prefer).

Canned tuna is low in calories, high in protein and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D and selenium.

However, because tuna can contain varying degrees of mercury it is recommended to eat it in moderation. Look for either light or skipjack tuna as these tend to contain lower levels of mercury.

Tuna spread ingredients and substitutions

Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (2)
  • Tuna: drain it thoroughly (more details below).
  • Cream cheese: use either a full fat or reduced fat variety.
  • Capers: enhance the flavour of the tuna.
  • Mustard: can be replaced with creamed horseradish sauce if desired.
  • Butter: helps thicken the pate, adds creaminess and improves the flavour.
  • Black pepper: you can use cayenne pepper instead for extra heat.

Top tip

I do not recommend substituting the cream cheese with either yogurt or mayonnaise as this will affect the consistency of your tuna paste (it won’t hold its shape as well). Also mayonnaise contains a lot of salt so your tuna spread might end up being too salty.

What tuna to use

I recommend using good quality canned tuna, either tuna chunks or tuna steaks (these tend to be more expensive than flaked tuna). I also recommend using tuna in brine (or spring water), as it’s lower in fat than tuna packed in oil. You don’t want your tuna spread to be oily, especially as it also contains rich ingredients including cream cheese and butter.

Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (3)

How to prepare the tuna

For best results it is important to drain the tuna thoroughly so getting rid of the brine by holding the can over the sink is not the best method to use in this recipe. This works better:

  1. place a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl, then
  2. pour the entire contents of the can into the sieve and press the tuna with the back of a large spoon to remove excess moisture (as much as possible).
Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (4)

Recipe instructions

Once you’ve removed excess water from the tuna you are ready to make the pate.

1.Place all the ingredients in a food processor.

Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (5)

2. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Transfer the tuna spread into a bowl and add more pepper if needed. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour (or until the mixture is firm) before serving.

Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (6)

How much spread will I get

The proportions in this recipe should yield 180 grams (6.4 ounces) of spread, which is a little more than a cup. This is enough to make 2-3 sandwiches.

How to use tuna pate

This tuna spread recipe is extremely versatile and works equally well on toast, in sandwiches, as a snack or appetizer with crackers. You can serve it with:

  • dill pickles
  • cucumber
  • pickled beets
  • radish
  • sweet red peppers
  • pickled jalapenos
  • avocado
  • olives
  • sun dried tomato pesto
  • green onion or chives
Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (7)

Do I have to use a food processor

Yes, you do if you want your tuna spread to be smooth and creamy. You can use a hand blender instead of the food processor, but I do not recommend combining the ingredients with a fork or spoon.

Top tip

Mixing the ingredients by hand works well when making a tuna salad sandwich (which often contains other ingredients, such as onion or corn and usually isn’t perfectly smooth).

Top tips

  • Use a food processor/hand blender to ensure the pate is super smooth.
  • Do NOT add any salt into this tuna spread. Canned tuna usually contains salt (as does cream cheese) so you probably won’t need to add any. But you can be generous with the pepper.
  • Refrigerate the pate for 1 hour (or until firm) before serving.
  • Keep your tuna spread covered, refrigerated for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months.
Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (8)
  • Creamy Salmon Spread Recipe (Healthy)
  • Polish Smoked Mackerel Pate
  • Salmon Salad Sandwich (No Mayo)
  • Sardines on Toast Polish Style
  • Turkey Salad Sandwich (No Mayo)

Check out also these other fish recipe ideas!

Keep in touch!

If you make this creamy tuna spread recipe I'd love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

Follow me onFacebook,InstagramandTwitterfor regular recipe updates!Or you could subscribe to this blog and receive all my latest recipes right into your mailbox!

Recipe

Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (9)

Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe

This tuna spread is rich, creamy and made without mayonnaise. It’s delicious in sandwiches, on toast, as a snack or appetizer.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Lunch

Cuisine: International

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cooling time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 servings

Calories: 107kcal

Author: Monika Dabrowski

Equipment

  • Food processor

Ingredients

  • 5.11 ounces (145 g) tuna in brine/spring water,1 can, net weight
  • 4 tablespoons cream cheese
  • 2 teaspoons capers
  • 2 teaspoons butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

  • Drain the tuna by placing a sieve over a bowl and pouring the entire contents of the can into the sieve. Squash the tuna with the back of a spoon to get rid of excess moisture (do this as thoroughly as possible).

  • Place all the ingredients in a food processor.

  • Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

  • Transfer the tuna spread into a bowl and add more pepper if needed. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour (or until the mixture is firm) before serving.

Notes

  • Use a food processor/hand blender to ensure the pate is super smooth.
  • Do NOT add any salt into the spread. Canned tuna usually contains salt (as does cream cheese) so you probably won’t need to add any. But you can be generous with the pepper.
  • Refrigerate the pate for 1 hour (or until firm) before serving.
  • Keep your tuna spread covered, refrigerated for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.

**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @Monika8021 or tag #EverydayHealthyRecipes!

Tuna Spread (Pate) Recipe (2025)

FAQs

What is tuna pate made of? ›

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the tuna, butter, cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, cayenne, anchovies and the 3 tablespoons of capers. Season with salt and pepper and process until smooth. Scrape the puree into the loaf pan and smooth the top.

How to thicken tuna pate? ›

Butter: helps thicken the pate, adds creaminess and improves the flavour. Black pepper: you can use cayenne pepper instead for extra heat.

Is tuna paste healthy? ›

Tuna is an excellent protein source and is high in vitamin B3, B12, potassium, selenium, and phosphorus. In addition, tuna is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are especially protective against heart diseases and many cancers.

What can I mix with a can of tuna? ›

To keep it hot, mix a can into pasta sauce as you heat it; we love tuna in a classic tomato sauce, but you can also go simple with a no-cook sauce, combing tuna with olive oil, capers, olives, and herbs for a salsa verde approach. Or you can stir it into mac-and-cheese for a creamy, tuna casserole.

What is the main ingredient in pâté? ›

Pâté is often made of pig meat and parts, but wild game like snipe, partridge, venison or wild boar can be cooked into a pâté, as can farm-raised duck, rabbit or pheasant. Even vegetables can be made into pâté. Lean meats might require the addition of some pork fat to keep the pâté from drying out in the oven.

What is the jelly around pâté? ›

Aspic or meat jelly (/ˈæspɪk/) is a savory gelatin made with a meat stock or broth, set in a mold to encase other ingredients. These often include pieces of meat, seafood, vegetable, or eggs. Aspic is also sometimes referred to as aspic gelée or aspic jelly.

How to firm up pate? ›

If the consistency is not creamy enough for you, add a little more yoghurt and blend further. Place the contents in a ramekin / airtight jar and leave at room temperature to cool for about 30 minutes before transferring to the fridge. The consistency will firm up a little once the pâté has been refridgerated.

Why is my pate watery? ›

Assuming it's chicken liver pate, have you tried adding butter, cream or other saturated fat? This can thicken and so firm pate quite well. Or you could use some kind of meal - oat flour or matzo meal, breadcrumbs etc that would absorb the liquid.

Why is some canned tuna mushy? ›

MTS is a post-harvest textural quality defect in tuna wherein pronounced proteolytic softening of tuna meat is evident during processing, resulting in a canned product with an unacceptably mushy texture [20].

What are the disadvantages of canned tuna? ›

Potential downsides. The two main concerns when it comes to tuna are mercury content and sustainability. There are also some potential downsides to canned tuna specifically, including fat and sodium content and the safety of the can itself.

Can I eat tuna every day? ›

Fish is a very healthy protein choice and eating canned tuna once or twice a week is safe. Canned tuna is an inexpensive source of protein that can be safely stored on your shelf. Tuna can contain small amounts of mercury but has many health benefits and is safe to eat a few times per week.

How long does tuna spread last in the fridge? ›

How long is tuna salad good for? According to the USDA, tuna salad, assuming it has been stored properly in the fridge at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, is good for 3 to 5 days before it starts to spoil.

What to mix with tuna if you don't have mayo? ›

Dijon Mustard: This adds a tangy flavor to mimic mayo, even though there is no mayonnaise in this tuna salad recipe. You can't taste it (I promise), but it's super important. Salt & Pepper: for a bit of seasoning. Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is always best!

Is it OK to eat egg and tuna together? ›

Depending on how the chickens have been fed, some eggs also contain omega-3 fatty acids. An egg diet that contains tuna as well is heart healthy, as long as you remember to supplement the eggs and tuna with other healthy foods and watch your calorie count.

What is fish pâté made of? ›

Steps to Make It

Place fish, cream cheese, butter, vinegar, lemon juice, onion, garlic, and pepper into a food processor bowl. Pulse until mixed well, but not completely puréed. Mound mixture into a serving dish and refrigerate overnight. Paté tastes best when brought to room temperature.

What does pâté contain? ›

A pâté often contains chicken, pork, duck, goose, or other game and common additions include vegetables, herbs, spices, and either wine or brandy (often cognac or sherry). Pâté can be served either hot or cold, but it is considered best enjoyed at room temperature.

Is Rio Mare tuna pâté healthy? ›

The Rio Mare fish brings most of the nutrients of fresh fish and provides noble proteins, mineral salts, vitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Is StarKist tuna real tuna? ›

StarKist® Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water can contains a solid fillet of delicious wild caught albacore tuna. Albacore's mild flavor and firmer texture makes it a great option for salads, pasta dishes or as a substitute for chicken in your favorite recipe.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Clemencia Bogisich Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5754

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Clemencia Bogisich Ret

Birthday: 2001-07-17

Address: Suite 794 53887 Geri Spring, West Cristentown, KY 54855

Phone: +5934435460663

Job: Central Hospitality Director

Hobby: Yoga, Electronics, Rafting, Lockpicking, Inline skating, Puzzles, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.