When it comes to stocking pantry staples, Costco is a popular stop for shoppers searching for high-quality canned tuna at a good value. The warehouse carries multiple tuna varieties alongside other frozen seafood favorites like shrimp and salmon, and many buyers trust its selection for everyday cooking and meal prep.
Costco’s canned tuna offerings are among the better choices available in supermarkets. But which option fits your needs best?
This article walks through Costco’s canned tuna selection and highlights differences in species, packing methods, taste, sustainability, and mercury levels so you can choose the best canned tuna for your budget, health priorities, and culinary uses.
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Does Costco Have Canned Tuna? What Kind Of Canned Tuna Does Costco Sell
Yes. In stores you’ll commonly find four main canned tuna options stocked near pantry staples like olive oil. Wild Planet albacore is often available online if it’s not on the shelf. Typical offerings include:
- Kirkland Signature Albacore Solid White
- Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore
- Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil
- Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna in Water
- Wild Planet Albacore (online or limited availability)
Key distinctions are the species of tuna, the packing liquid (water, oil, or natural juices), and the texture. Albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack are the three types commonly canned; each offers different flavor and texture profiles. Labels such as “solid white,” “chunk,” and “chunk light” signal how firm or flaky the tuna will be.
Water-packed tuna tends to be lower in calories and retains more omega-3s, while oil-packed tuna is richer in flavor and vitamin D but may have fewer omega-3s in the flesh since they migrate into the oil. Wild Planet is unique in that the fish is cooked in the can and retained in its natural juices.
Beyond what you can see, varieties differ in mercury content and sustainability practices, which are important if you eat tuna regularly.
With those differences in mind, here’s how to choose the right option for your needs.
How To Pick The Best Costco Canned Tuna For You
Standing in the Costco aisle, the choice can feel confusing. Reading labels helps: consider price, intended use, sustainability claims, flavor and texture preferences, and mercury levels. Below are the main factors to weigh.
Types of Canned Tuna Sold At Costco
Albacore, skipjack, and yellowfin are the commercially canned species you’ll encounter. Albacore is sold as “white” tuna and has a firmer, milder profile. Skipjack and yellowfin are typically sold as “light” tuna and are darker, softer, and more flavorful. Chicken of the Sea’s Chunk Light is typically a blend of skipjack and yellowfin.
Canned Tuna Texture And Taste
Solid white (albacore) is firmer and works well where intact pieces are desired, such as tacos or plated salads. Chunk varieties are flaky but still meaty, ideal for sandwiches and salads. Chunk light has smaller pieces and a softer texture, suitable for casseroles, tuna melts, and recipes where texture is less critical.
Mercury Levels In Costco Canned Tuna
All fish contain traces of mercury; larger, longer-lived species tend to accumulate more. Albacore typically has higher mercury levels than skipjack or light tuna. Independent testing and guidance recommend limiting intake of albacore-style tuna compared with smaller tuna varieties if mercury exposure is a concern.
Sustainability in Costco Canned Tuna
Sustainable fishing methods and bycatch reduction are important considerations. Some brands use pole-and-line or other selective methods that reduce bycatch and environmental impact. Wild Planet, for example, emphasizes more selective harvesting methods, while other brands may use larger nets that can capture unintended species.
Best Canned Tuna Costco Reviews
Costco Albacore Tuna — Kirkland Signature Albacore White
Kirkland’s albacore is the most affordable solid-white option at the warehouse. It offers a firm texture and a mild flavor that fits well in pasta, tacos, and recipes where intact chunks are preferred. As albacore, it carries higher mercury levels than smaller tuna species, but it provides a satisfying, meaty bite at a good price.
Costco Albacore Tuna – Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore
Bumble Bee’s solid white albacore is similar in texture and taste to Kirkland’s and is packed with water and vegetable broth for extra flavor. It’s slightly more expensive; for many shoppers the store-brand Kirkland option delivers comparable quality and value.
Costco Albacore Tuna — Wild Planet Tuna Costco
Wild Planet’s albacore is a premium option with a firm texture and natural-juices packing method—the fish is cooked in the can rather than packed in added water or oil. It tends to be pricier, but it’s a strong choice if you prioritize more natural processing and sustainable catch methods.
Genova Yellow Fin Tuna In Olive Oil
Genova’s yellowfin in olive oil delivers a richer, more pronounced tuna flavor and a flakier texture. Olive oil adds calories and vitamin D while drawing some omega-3s into the oil. If you want a bolder, more gourmet tuna for pasta and composed dishes, this is a good choice.
Chicken Of The Sea Chunk Light Tuna In Water
Chicken of the Sea’s chunk light is the warehouse’s skipjack/yellowfin blend and tends to be softer and more flavorful than albacore. It typically contains less mercury than albacore, making it a sensible pick for frequent tuna eaters. For shoppers balancing cost, flavor, and lower mercury exposure, this is a strong overall choice.
Best Canned Tuna Costco
Overall pick: Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light. It offers a good balance of taste, texture, price, and lower mercury levels thanks to its skipjack/yellowfin content.
Best albacore: Kirkland Signature Albacore for shoppers who prefer a milder, firmer white tuna at the best price.
Best for gourmet flavor: Genova Yellowfin in olive oil for a meatier texture and stronger flavor suited to elevated dishes.
Best Canned Tuna Costco Prices
| Type | Cost | Number of Cans |
| Kirkland Signature Albacore White | $16.99 | (8) 7-Ounce Cans |
| Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore | $17.99 | (8) 7-Ounce Cans |
| Genova Yellowfin Tuna In Olive Oil | $14.89 | (6) 7-Ounce Cans |
| Chicken Of The Sea Chunk Light Tuna In Water | $16.79 | (12) 7-Ounce Cans |
| Wild Planet | $15.99 | (6) 5-Ounce Cans |
Is Costco Canned Tuna Healthy?
Canned tuna is a nutrient-dense, convenient source of lean protein and provides omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D (especially when packed in oil), and other nutrients. A single can supplies a significant portion of daily protein needs. The primary drawback is mercury, which varies by species: albacore tends to have higher levels than light tuna. Health authorities recommend moderating consumption of higher-mercury fish and varying the types of seafood you eat.
Costco Canned Tuna FAQ
Is Kirkland Tuna The Same As Bumblebee?
Costco’s Kirkland Signature tuna has been widely reported to be produced by established tuna manufacturers in some markets. Regardless of manufacturer, the Kirkland product sold at Costco is an albacore-style, solid white tuna, while other warehouse options such as Chicken of the Sea are different species and textures.
Does Kirkland Canned Tuna Have Mercury?
Yes—like all tuna, Kirkland’s albacore contains measurable mercury. Albacore generally has higher mercury than skipjack or light tuna, so if mercury exposure is a concern, choose chunk light or smaller-species options more often.
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