The Affordable Canned Seafood Swap For A Whole New Take On Eggs Benedict

Making eggs Benedict can get real fancy, real quick. There's the poached eggs and rich hollandaise, plus the popular proteins of smoked salmon or Canadian bacon. Before you know it, you've exceeded your grocery budget. However, you don't need to spend a lot to get that indulgent brunch vibe at home. Instead, you can just incorporate canned tuna.

Tuna is the surprise twist that makes this brunch classic totally affordable, while remaining delicious. Eggs Benedict is really just about layering textures and flavors: creamy, toasty, savory, tangy, etc. Canned tuna brings that meaty umami backbone you'd normally get from pricier proteins, but it's probably already sitting in your cupboard. Choose a good, quality canned tuna brand that's packed in olive oil for a richer taste. However, even the budget-friendly water-packed stuff can work wonders with a little doctoring.

To give your eggs Benedict a lift, flake the tuna into a bowl and mix it with a squeeze of lemon, a bit of mayo or Greek yogurt, and maybe a bit of Dijon or chopped herbs if you're feeling extra. This turns it from "straight-from-the-can" into something more brunch-appropriate. You want it moist and lightly seasoned, not dry or overpowering. Toast up an English muffin or whatever bread you have, add a spoonful of the tuna mix, top it with a softly poached egg, and then spoon over your sauce. Classic hollandaise is lovely, but you don't have to go that route. A quick, no-fail blender hollandaise works great and saves time and effort.

Canned tuna doesn't just make this version of eggs Benedict cheaper, but also faster, as there's no need to cook bacon. You're repurposing something that is shelf-stable into something elevated, making this a worthy kitchen hack. Canned tuna is also a good source of protein, so this hack is not some skimpy stand-in. And if you can't bear to poach eggs, which we understand, don't worry too much. A soft-boiled egg or pan-fried egg with runny yolk will give a similar, rich impression. The key is to keep the yolk gooey so it will mix with the sauce and tuna when you cut it.

This setup also invites fun toppings if you want to stretch it a bit. Add some sliced avocado if you have some, or a few baby spinach leaves for color. Even a sprinkle of capers or hot sauce can punch things up at no extra cost. Eggs Benedict is just one of many ways to eat tuna for breakfast, and is always worth a try. Because the heart of eggs Benedict isn't about luxury, but contrast: warm bread, savory protein, and that silky egg yolk moment. And with this hack, brunch doesn't need to come with a heavy price tag or a line outside a trendy café.