Here’s to another great #SeafoodSunday, Seafoodies!
If you’ve been following “tinned fish date night” on TikTok, you know the drill. Grab your partner, open up a few tins of seafood and enjoy them with bread, crackers and fruit — just like charcuterie. It’s an easy, inexpensive and fun way to make dinner. Now that the “seacuterie” board is getting some well-deserved attention, we think it’s time to highlight the many wonders of tinned fish (or canned fish, as we say in the U.S.). As any card-carrying Seafoodie can tell you, canned fish can do a lot more than shake up date night! For years, we’ve been singing its praises as a shelf-stable pantry pal that can help you whip up many kinds of meals without much effort. Let’s take a look at the benefits of canned seafood and some simple ways to prepare it.
We can appreciate why canned seafood is trending: It’s a precooked, open-and-eat protein that’s wonderful straight out of the can! Given its exceptional convenience and nutrition profile, canned seafood is one of the best ways to get more of what you need in your diet — like heart-healthy omega-3s and protein. It offers all the nutrients of fresh or frozen seafood, in a smaller, non-perishable package, so it pays to stock up. If you’re trying to eat the 2 to 3 servings of seafood a week recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, having a few cans of seafood in your pantry can easily help you meet this goal.
Canned seafood also can be added to salads, pastas, pizzas and sandwiches for an instant protein boost. Blend it with yogurt and herbs for a zippy, protein-packed dip. Form it into patties to make tuna croquettes, gluten-free crab cakes or salmon sliders. Use it as an avocado toast topping for a fabulous breakfast or brunch. Or — taking a page from the Mediterranean Diet — swap canned seafood into a favorite recipe in place of red meat.
We’ve gathered a few recipes that make the most of canned seafood to inspire you to test-drive this way of cooking and eating. Ready? On your marks: Stock, prep, eat!
A 5-minute recipe! Smoked trout has a delicate flavor that’s complemented by the tangy flavors in this yogurt-based dip.
Air Fryer Mac-and-Cheese Tuna Bites
Canned tuna amps up the protein in these panko-crusted mac-and-cheese morsels, making a good thing even better!
These light croquettes with a springy lemon-caper sauce come together in 30 minutes. They taste equally delicious on slider buns or on top of a salad.
Stock some canned crab in your pantry, and you’ll have delicacy-on-demand! Here it’s tossed with avocado, crunchy veggies and seasonings for a fresh-flavored salad.
Making crab cakes at home is a snap! This pantry-friendly recipe gets a lift from riced cauliflower and light mayo while Old Bay and Dijon mustard provide traditional Chesapeake flavor.
Pasta night? Tinned fish to the rescue! Tuna makes this Greek-inspired spaghetti dish extra-special.
Scrumptious salmon sliders will help you lighten up your burger game! Fresh dill, bell pepper and Hawaiian rolls make this dish a crowd-pleasing treat.
If you want to make your own seacuterie board at home, here’s a basic recipe to get you started.
Smoked Sardine Toasts with Lemon Mayo and Fennel Salad
These tasty toasts are loaded! Think: sardines, lemony garlic mayo and a schmear, topped with thinly sliced radishes and wisps of fennel.
Sardines are a surprise stand-in for lox in this deli dish with whipped cream cheese, capers and red onion. Serve on an everything bagel for an added flavor dimension!
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