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    Home » Recipes » Seafood » Atún a la Mexicana

    Atún a la Mexicana

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted April 21, 2020 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Atún a la Mexicana is a tasty and SPICY dish. It's so EASY and ready in 20 minutes with just enough heat to make you want more.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Atún a la Mexicana topped with avocado and served with saltine crackers and hot sauce.

    Atun a la Mexicana served with saltine crackers on a white plate and topped with sliced avocado.

    Atún a la Mexicana hits high marks with me. I’m all about EASY meals loaded with lots of flavor.

    This Mexican-Style Tuna recipe is just that. It’s ready in no time flat and packed with deliciousness.

    Even the pickiest of eaters in my family like it, but the best part is that it doesn’t break the bank.

    Have all your ingredients ready. It comes together in a snap!

    More Mexican recipes using canned tuna:
    Atun a la Veracruzana, Tortitas de Papa con Atun, Tostadas de Atun

    Ingredients for Mexican-Style Tuna on a wooden surface.

    Ingredients

    • Tuna
    • Onion
    • Tomatoes
    • Jalapeno
    • Olive Oil
    • Salt

    This Mexican seafood recipe requires very few ingredients.

    It’s already a budget-friendly dish, but there are some substitutions to make it completely pantry friendly and more economical.

    Such as:

    • Use 1 8-ounce can of tomato sauce instead of fresh tomato.
    • Use pickled jalapeno instead of fresh jalapeno.
    • Use 1 teaspoon of onion powder instead of fresh onion. OR, serve with pickled onions.

    Diced jalapeno and onion cooking in a metal skillet.

    How to Make It

    • Heat olive oil in a skillet.
    • Saute onion and jalapeno, stirring constantly.

    This will only take 1-2 minutes to cook. Once the onion is translucent, go to the next step.

    For those of you who like spicy food, add more jalapeno.

    Or, if you’re feeding a lot of people, serve this dish with hot sauce and pickled jalapenos to add more spice.

    • Add the diced tomato to the skillet.
    • This will only take 3-4 minutes.

    Any Mexican recipe that refers to “a la Mexicana” will have this combination of ingredients – jalapeno, onion and tomatoes.

    Green, white, and red. The colors of the Mexican flag.

    You might also see people use serrano peppers instead of jalapenos as the two chile peppers are interchangeable in recipes.

    More Mexican-Style recipes:
    Huevos a la Mexicana, Bistec a la Mexicana, Calabacitas a la Mexicana

    Tuna and in the other ingredients in a metal skillet.

    • Drain the canned tuna.
    • Add the tuna to the skillet.

    Cooking this dish will only take 5 minutes from here.

    Tuna in water was used in this recipe, but you can also use tuna in oil. Be sure to drain the liquid.

    Can you cook canned tuna?
    Yes, in this recipe, the tuna is cooked. It works well in several recipes.

    A skillet and spatula with cooked Mexican-Style tuna.

    • Season with salt.
    • Mix all the ingredients to combine.

    You can also add a pinch of oregano and a squeeze of lime juice for some added flavor.

    What spices go well with canned tuna?
    Thyme, Paprika, oregano , Cumin, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Basil, Cayenne Pepper

    How Long Does It Last?


    In the fridge, Atun a la Mexicana will last up to 3 days. Freezing this dish is not recommended.

    Atun a la Mexicana served with saltine crackers on a white plate and topped with sliced avocado.

    Serve with saltine crackers, on a homemade tostada, or with a handful of chips.

    Or make it a complete meal and serve with:
    Pasta
    Green salad
    Mexican white rice
    Refried beans

    Atun a la Mexicana is a tasty blend of spicy and delicious. It’s a quick dinnertime WINNER!

    Hungry for More?

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    Atun a la Mexicana served with saltine crackers on a white plate and topped with sliced avocado.

    Atún a la Mexicana

    Atún a la Mexicana is a tasty and SPICY dish. It's so EASY and ready in 20 minutes with just enough heat to make you want more.
    4.93 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Lunch or Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 7 minutes
    Cook Time: 13 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 113kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1/4 onion diced
    • 1 jalapeno finely diced
    • 1 tomato diced
    • 2 cans tuna drained
    • 1 tspn salt

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a skillet.
    • Saute the onion and jalapeno.
    • Cook for 1 minute. Stirring constantly.
    • Add the tomato.
    • Stir to combine
    • Cook for 3 minutes.
    • Add the drained cans of tuna.
    • Season with salt.
    • Stir to combine.
    • Cook for 5 minutes.

    Notes

    Swap Options:
    • Use 1 8-ounce can of tomato sauce instead of fresh tomato.
    • Use pickled jalapeno instead of fresh jalapeno.
    • 1 teaspoon of onion powder instead of fresh onion.
    You can also add a pinch of oregano and a squeeze of lime juice for some added flavor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 309mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 342IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Seafood

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly Anthony

      April 28, 2020 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for including a list of substitutions for this recipe. Most of the time I have all of these ingredients but here lately I’ve had a hard time finding certain things so its nice to have options.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 14, 2020 at 11:47 am

        That’s exactly why I included that list! Hope you try this recipe.

        Reply
    2. Denise

      April 30, 2020 at 11:52 am

      5 stars
      This looks and sounds so flavorful, I am going to have to try this one soon. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 14, 2020 at 11:35 am

        Hope you try it! You will love it.

        Reply
    3. Pam Greer

      April 30, 2020 at 12:12 pm

      5 stars
      This is our new favorite way to eat tuna! We love the spices and the flavor! So good!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 14, 2020 at 11:35 am

        So glad you liked it! It’s really flavorful

        Reply
    4. Heidy

      May 1, 2020 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      This Atún a la Mexicana looks so wonderful and flavorful. I am really excited to try out this recipe.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 14, 2020 at 11:34 am

        It’s delicious. Hope you try this recipe!

        Reply
    5. Amanda

      May 1, 2020 at 6:17 pm

      I’ve never heard of this dish! It sounds so fresh and heathly!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 12, 2020 at 11:51 am

        It is. Sooo refreshing, hope you try it!

        Reply
    6. Ashley Marie Lecker

      May 2, 2020 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      What a quick and easy dish! I love that this is served warm as well because it is delicious in colder months as well as warmer.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 12, 2020 at 11:49 am

        Easy and delicious!

        Reply
    7. Veronika

      May 2, 2020 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      This dish looks really tasty! My husband is a big tuna fan and I want to make this recipe for him. He will definitely appreciate it!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 12, 2020 at 11:48 am

        Then you should definitely try it! It’s really tasty

        Reply
    8. Chandice Probst

      May 3, 2020 at 11:08 am

      5 stars
      Yum I never would’ve thought to use tuna in this way but I love how spicy it is!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 12, 2020 at 11:47 am

        It is delicious. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    9. Mikayla

      May 3, 2020 at 1:13 pm

      5 stars
      This was such a refreshing change for my weekly tuna lunch! I love that the onions and tomatoes and peppers were all cooked together, it really developed yummy flavor. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 5, 2020 at 8:29 am

        Yes! It so is. 🙂

        Reply
      • Eliazar Mata

        June 30, 2022 at 4:00 pm

        5 stars
        I had this kid dish as a kid in San Diego and completely forgot about it. I already made some and it’s as delicious as I remember it. Thank you for posting the recipe. P.S. My 14 year old son loved it too.

        Reply
        • Maggie Unzueta

          July 2, 2022 at 7:27 am

          I’m in San Diego! So glad you found this recipe again.

    10. Aline

      May 4, 2020 at 10:14 am

      5 stars
      Loved this recipe!! I needed some ideas beyond tuna and mayo and this was perfect!!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 5, 2020 at 8:29 am

        Thank you! Hope you like this recipe.

        Reply
    11. Patti

      June 30, 2022 at 12:04 pm

      4 stars
      I’m on salt restricted diet so leave out all salt. But enjoyed this very much. Will make again

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 2, 2022 at 7:28 am

        My mom is on a salt restricted diet. Completely understand. Yes, just omit.

        Reply

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