There are so many reasons to add a few new ones Recipes for canned fish and seafood to your repertoire. Canned (or canned) fish is readily available, inexpensive, and has a long shelf life. If you’re stuck in the tuna sandwich situation, read on to learn how to toss your fish with pasta, fry patties, make a cheese dip, and more.
When my friends and I were broke in our twenties, neither of us cooked. Admittedly, most of us were waiters, so we ate with family while we worked. But on our days off, we’ve all turned to the same thing: our can openers. We called ourselves “Can Opener Cowboys”.
If it came in a can, we ate it – tuna, smoked oysters, devil’s ham, chicken, beans, sauces, soups and chowders. And sometimes highly suspicious dishes filled with combinations of canned goods or milk crates on the coffee table. Anyone got a tuna and bean casserole?
Looking back, few of our creations were delicious. But it’s amazing what the haze of cheap wine and youth can do.
At forty and more pounds than I care to mention, I can say that none of the recipes below require a bottle of wine to make it palatable. Still, they’re all so good you might be tempted to pour a glass – or four – of excellent Chardonnay.
Pasta with anchovies and onions
I hope my approach to canned fish gives you new ideas for the cans stacked in your pantry. Pasta is a perfect base for canned anchovies and onions, and I used parmesan, lemon, and parsley to bring out the great umami flavor of one of my favorite fish, the anchovies.
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Fancy tuna melt
A fancy tuna melt is definitely the best type of tuna melt. Swiss (or Gruyere) cheese, cucumber, tomato and a squeeze of lemon juice, all served on a warm baguette. This isn’t mom’s tuna sando.
Recipe
Great recipe! Place it on a thinly sliced ​​bagel – yummy!-Susan
Shrimp Scampi Dip
This creamy and cheesy Shrimp Scampi Dip is a one-of-a-kind appetizer that’s a real crowd favorite!
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salmon cake
These salmon cakes are pan fried and served with avocado dip and chimichurri sauce. You’re sure to banish all memories of the less-than-stellar fishcakes of your youth.
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Pasta with tuna and crispy breadcrumbs
Make the most of canned tuna with this quick and easy Tuna Pasta Salad filled with tomatoes, olives, garlic and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs.
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New England clam chowder
New England Clam Chowder is a classic creamy soup made with clams, bacon, potatoes, leeks, shallots, white wine and a creamy cream base. This recipe adds poblano peppers for a little kick. Cold weather dining at its finest.
Recipe
We made this clam chowder for dinner last night (well, half a batch because there’s only 2 of us) and it’s a real winner. I will admit to using canned clams because I had some, but even canned it was very good. I substituted the fresh poblano with a roasted and chopped hatch chili because I had some on hand again.
The spiciness was just perfect for us and a nice change from the usual chowder. Perfect fullness and consistency. Will definitely do it again.-Marcella
Salmon Roll Sushi Bowl
This delicious sushi bowl features salmon, avocado, cucumber, seaweed, rice and a rich, flavorful dressing. The same delicious flavors as a sushi roll, but a lot easier to prepare.
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Canned Mediterranean mackerel pasta
This quick, easy canned mackerel pasta recipe is packed with heart-healthy fats, omega-3s, protein, and veggies. A delicious 30 minute dinner!
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FAQs
Look for the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) logo on the side of your can. This certification ensures that the fish has been caught sustainably.
Canned fish are often available packaged in oil or water. We recommend using fish in oil whenever possible as it is more flavorful but tends to be a bit more expensive.
Unopened canned fish can be safely stored at room temperature for up to 5 years. If you canned the fish yourself, it should be consumed within a year. Once opened, store unused fish in a sealed container and consume within 2 days.
We hope this collection of recipes has given you some ideas for easy and inexpensive dishes using canned fish and seafood. If you still prefer the classics, fear not, we have recipes for that too. Check out our Classic Tuna Melt and Tuna Pasta Bake, which are proven favorites.