Canned Fish – An Ultimate Guide

This Ultimate Guide to Cooking with Canned Fish will help you navigate the tinned and canned seafood options available, plus give you recipe ideas!

The Ultimate Guide to Cooking with Canned Fish

Canned Fish 101: The Best Canned Fish To Buy

Who else loves fish!? 

Obviously I do, and I’m going to assume that you do too.  After all, you’re here with me, reading this canned fish guide!

Whether you’re a die-hard fish fanatic, or are simply trying to include more seafood in your diet– you’ve probably noticed that fish can be EXPENSIVE.

Personally, I have zero issues spending a little bit of money on a quality piece of fish. 

It’s nice, though, to have an inexpensive, but still high-quality alternative.  And that alternative, my friends– is canned seafood. 

That’s right– CANNED seafood.

Why?

For one thing– it can be incredibly affordable. 

It’s also perfect for stocking pantries, and it’s portable and shelf-stable— making it a perfect choice for packed lunches and camping trips.

So, the next time you’re looking for canned fish, what can you expect to find? 

This Ultimate Guide to Cooking with Canned Fish is here to help you know what to expect, what to look for, give you tips for the best canned fish to buy, and of course– give you recipe ideas!

Canned Tuna

• Flavor Profile:  Moderate fish flavor, Varies from brand to brand, Pairs well with chile peppers, citrus
• Species: The two most popular types of canned tuna are Albacore and Skipjack.  You might also see tuna labeled as “Chunk Light”– this is generally Skipjack.
• Pros: Easy to Find, Inexpensive
• Cons: Very high in mercury– Limit consumption to 2 – 4 servings per month.
• Is it Sustainable?: Not Usually.  Look for “Pole Caught” tuna from brands like Safe Catch and Wild Planet, and avoid poorly labeled cans, which likely use the unsustainable long-line method.

Canned Sardines

• Flavor Profile:  Strong fish flavor, Varies widely from brand to brand, Pairs well with olive oil, fresh herbs
• Species: Canned sardines can be made from up to 22 different types of fish, so the flavor and quality can vary widely
• Pros: Easy to Find, Inexpensive, Very low in mercury, Easy to find pre-seasoned
• Cons: None!
• Is it Sustainable?: Very Likely!  Sardines are abundant.
• Learn more: How to Eat Canned Sardines
• Try it: Check out my most popular canned sardine recipe: Mini Sardine Fish Cakes

Canned Mackerel

• Flavor Profile: Strong flavor, Similar to tuna, Pairs well with olive oil, citrus
• Pros: Easy to Find, Inexpensive, Very low in mercury, Easy to find pre-seasoned
• Cons: None!
• Is it Sustainable?: Very Likely!  Mackerel are abundant. 
• Try It: Try making a mackerel salad instead of tuna salad!

Canned + Jarred Anchovies

• Flavor Profile: Umami, SALTY, Pairs well with olive oil, garlic, tomatoes
• Pros: Easy to Find, Inexpensive, Very low in mercury, Easily dissolve into food when heated– allowing for elevated flavor without major recipe adaptations
• Cons: Very strong flavor that can be overwhelming
• Is it Sustainable?: Very Likely!  Anchovies are abundant.
• Try it:  Try this summer soup: anchovy gazpacho

Canned Salmon

• Flavor Profile: Mild, Pairs well with citrus or mustard
• Species: Often Pink salmon, but Chum, Coho, Sockeye, and King salmon are also canned.  Try to buy salmon cans that are clearly labeled with the type of salmon.
• Pros: Generally uses high-quality Pacific salmon, Inexpensive, Easy to find
• Cons: Quality varies widely
• Is it Sustainable?: Very likely.  Pacific salmon are abundant.
• Learn more: Pink Salmon Recipes

Canned Clams

• Flavor Profile: Mild, Pairs well with butter, chile peppers
• Pros: Easy to find, Generally inexpensive
• Cons: Flavor sometimes considered inferior to fresh clams, quality can vary from brand to brand
• Is it Sustainable?: Yes!  Currently, all varieties of clams are considered sustainably sourced.
• Try it: I love this Easy Clam Chowder with Smoked Oysters

Canned Oysters

• Flavor Profile: Mild or Strong, Depending on variety and preparation
• Pros: Easy to find, Generally inexpensive
• Cons: Unusual texture and appearance (may be off-putting to some)
• Is it Sustainable?:  Yes!  Currently, all varieties of oysters are considered sustainably sourced
• Try it: Make a batch of Smoked Oyster Stuffing!

Canned Crab

• Flavor Profile: Light, Pairs well with avocado, butter, lemon
• Species: Snow, Blue, Dungeness, and Red King Crab
• Pros: Easy to find, More affordable than fresh or frozen crab
• Cons: Can be pricier than other canned seafood, Quality varies widely from brand to brand
• Is it Sustainable?: Maybe.  Look for traceability information or a “Marine Stewardship Council” label.
• How to Read the Labels: 
  • Higher quality crab meat will list the type of crab used on the can.
  • Cans marked “lump” will typically include larger pieces of crab meat.
  • Cans marked “special” or “extra fancy” will typically include smaller pieces and generally lower quality.  
• Try it:  Use canned crab on these crab fries!

Canned Herring (or Kippers)

• Flavor Profile: Strong flavor, Varies depending on preparation, Pairs well with eggs
• Species: Herring, When filleted and smoked it is sold as a Kipper
• Pros: Easy to find, Generally inexpensive
• Cons: None! 
• Is it Sustainable?: Yes! Currently, all species of herring are considered sustainably sourced
• Try it: Use it as a ham hock substitute in this White Bean and Kale Soup with Smoked Fish.

Other Canned Seafood

So far, I’ve gone over canned seafood you’d find in an American grocery store.  Keep in mind, though, that if it swims– someone has probably canned it.  Stroll through gourmet specialty shops, international grocery stores, or shop online to find a wider variety of seafood.

What other types of seafood can you find? 

With a little effort, you can find cockles (similar to clams), mussels, octopus, eels, caviar, squid– and more!