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!

Note: This post is not sponsored by any brand, but does contain links to brands Champagne Tastes has worked with in the past.

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.

It sometimes gets a bad reputation, and admittedly, some canned fish is better than others.  But– let’s make canned seafood cool again!  Because high-quality, sustainably sourced canned seafood IS OUT THERE!

Plus, it has a few perks that fresh or frozen seafood doesn’t have.  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” on the label, and avoid poorly labeled cans, which likely use the unsustainable longline method.  Pole caught canned tuna is getting easier to find.  Major retailers (like Walmart) have started carrying pole caught tuna from Safe Catch and Wild Planet.
• Varieties: Packed in water, sunflower oil, or olive oil
• Watch for: You can also find high-end, gourmet cans and jars of tuna belly.

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.  Look for traceability information or a “Marine Stewardship Council” label.
• Varieties: When you shop for sardines, you’ll see sardines packed in oil, water, spices, herbs, tomatoes, mustard– there are a lot!!!  Try to avoid heavily seasoned sardines (especially those packed in mustard sauces) until you’ve tried an unseasoned or lightly seasoned can of sardines from the same brand.  Heavy seasonings can mask poor quality.
• Watch for: You can also find high-end, gourmet cans of Spanish sardines.

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.  Look for traceability information or a “Marine Stewardship Council” label.  (Mackerel briefly lost its MSC certification because of unregulated fishing, but as of 2016 regained certification status.)
• Varieties: Just like with sardines, you’ll find mackerel packed in oil, water, spices, herbs, and other sauces. Try to avoid heavily seasoned mackerel (especially those packed in mustard sauces) until you’ve tried an unseasoned or lightly seasoned can of sardines from the same brand.  Heavy seasonings can mask poor quality.

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.  Look for traceability information or a “Marine Stewardship Council” label.
• Varieties: Anchovies are typically sold in olive oil
• Watch for: You can also find high-end, gourmet cans of Spanish anchovies.

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.  Look for traceability information on the packaging to tell you where the salmon is from, or a “Marine Stewardship Council” label.
• Varieties: Canned or Vacuum-Sealed packets, Canned + Vacuum packets are packed in natural juices, water, or oil
• Watch for: High-end, gourmet canned salmon is widely available in specialty markets and online

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.
• Varieties: Clams are sold whole, chopped, and smoked, and are usually packed in clam juice.

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
• Varieties: Typically sold whole, in water or oil, plain or smoked

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.
• Varieties: Typically sold in water.
  • 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.  

Canned Herring (or Kippers)

• Flavor Profile: Strong flavor, Varies depending on preperation, 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
• Varieties: Herring are sold in water, oil, smoked, and with seasonings.  Try to avoid heavily seasoned herring (especially those packed in mustard sauces) until you’ve tried an unseasoned or lightly seasoned can of herring from the same brand.  Heavy seasonings can mask poor quality.

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!

{More} Recipes Using Canned Fish

Next, it’s time to cook!  Go grab some cans of fish or shellfish, and check out these recipes that highlight canned seafood.

Want more SEAFOOD SHOPPING GUIDES?  Check these out:

• Types of Salmon: An Ultimate Guide
• Types of Shrimp: An Ultimate Guide

Want even more information on canned seafood?  Check out these resources:

NOAA – Aquaculture in the United States

MSC – Fish to Eat