All the Best Canned Fish We’ve Tasted in Our Taste Tests

It’s cool to smell like tuna, folks. Because canned fish is fancy now. It’s trendy. So get with it and stock up on a few cans of the best tinned seafood.

Over the past few years, canned fish has gone from being a dusty staple in the back of the pantry to a shockingly expensive menu item at top restaurants. Apparently if you call it conservas you can charge $20. Luckily, you don’t have to pay quite that much to enjoy the best canned fish and the best tinned seafood at home. That said, most of the really good stuff does cost a lot more than your basic can of Chicken of the Sea. That’s because companies are sourcing high-quality seafood, packing it in really good oil, and definitely not holding back on design. Most of the best canned seafood we tasted looks so pretty in its packaging that you could display it in a curio case and no one would question you. 

Whether you’re looking to start simple with a canned tuna upgrade or are ready to go full smoked oyster, we have the best tinned seafood for you. Here are the top picks from all of our canned seafood rankings.


Nuri Sardines in Pure Olive Oil

Best Sardines

Nuri Sardines in Pure Olive Oil

We tried a lot of canned sardines for this taste test, but when we tasted these, we just couldn’t stop eating them. “These savory Portuguese sardines are nestled tightly in a tin of delicious, pungent olive oil, which magically permeates every nook and cranny of the small fish,” Sporked contributor Danny Palumbo wrote in his review. You really have to try them and experience the nuanced, mild (in comparison to most other canned sardines) fishy flavor for yourself. Seriously, even sardine beginners should give these a chance. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned sardines

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Ortiz Jarred Anchovies

Best Anchovies

Ortiz Jarred Anchovies

Okay, these aren’t technically in a can. They are in a jar. But when it comes to anchovies, it’s all just about the same. These are straight-up decadent. “These come packed in delicious olive oil, which is much more flavorful than the neutral oils some other brands of anchovies come packed in,” Danny wrote in his review. “Olive oil adds a beautiful richness to the anchovy—it doubles down on the umami and ups the flavor considerably.” These aren’t your standard salt-bomb anchovies. They’ll work great in a sauce, but you can put these on bread with really good butter and you’ll be happy, too. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned and jarred anchovies

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Fangst Regnbue Ørred

Best Smoked Trout

Fangst Regnbue Ørred

This canned smoked trout had Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling all in a tizzy. “I can’t stop thinking about this canned smoked trout. It’s just so good,” she wrote in her review. “It’s practically a canned restaurant dish.” The combination of delicate lemon, thyme, and juniper with the tender, smoky fish put this way at the top of the best smoked trout list. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned smoked trout

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

best canned salmon: Taku Smoked Sockeye Salmon

Best Canned Salmon

Taku Smoked Sockeye Salmon

You don’t need to splurge on fancy smoked salmon for your bagel. You can just stock up on this canned salmon. It’s extremely rich and the texture is out of this world. It’s a little smoky, a little fatty, and wonderfully savory. “This is fancy salmon, but the price isn’t too outrageous and the flavor is tough to beat,” Danny wrote in his review. If you’ve been ignoring canned salmon, this is your sign to take notice.

Read the full ranking of the best canned salmon

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Taku

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Geisha Fancy Smoked Oysters in Sunflower Oil

Best Smoked Oysters

Geisha Fancy Smoked Oysters in Sunflower Oil

Grab a toothpick and get to snacking on these canned smoked oysters. They’re not too big (canned oysters really shouldn’t take more than one bite to eat) and they have a delicious smoky finish. Pair them with a full charcuterie board spread or simply place one on a saltine. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned smoked oysters

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

American Tuna with Sea Salt

Best Canned Tuna

American Tuna with Sea Salt

You can feel pretty good about eating American Tuna—it’s pole-caught, sustainable, and packed in the Pacific Northwest. Nice. It also tastes great. It’s extremely tuna-y but in the best way possible. “It’s a really fresh, excellent product that fully embodies the canned tuna ethos,” Danny wrote in his review. It will elevate any tuna sandwich or salad. 

Read the full ranking of the best canned tuna

Credit: Ryan Martin / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks


About the Author

Sporked Staff

The Sporked Staff tastes everything and anything. They are obsessive about groceries and finding the best of any type of food or drink, from frozen fried shrimp to Dijon mustard to gummy candy. And they're always on a hunt for the best new products. When they aren't eating professionally, they're eating recreationally. And often they're browsing grocery store aisles, just for fun.

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  • Where can I buy STATESMAN HERRING in tomato sauce??? Very good!!

    Reply