7 Canned Fish Brands To Buy And 7 To Leave On The Shelf

Buy it: Trader Joe's

For a long time, I have been a devoted admirer of Trader Joe's canned smoked trout, which is undeniably delightful. My mother instilled in me the role of a trout courier from an early age, packing cans of this delicacy in my roller bag during trips to visit my grandparents in California, since my home state of Alabama had only one Trader Joe's location. This product is truly precious, delivering the quintessential experience of smoked fish in a mild oil. Given my strong preference, I decided to review another canned fish offering from Trader Joe's to maintain fairness.

Introducing Trader Joe's Sardines in Olive Oil with Smoke Flavor, an economical choice at just $1.99 for a 4.25-ounce can, presented in a cheerful magenta package. The sardines are tender and not overly oily, with a smoke flavor that is expertly balanced. This product earns high praise for delivering exceptional taste at such a reasonable price.

I believe this can of sardines exemplifies the quality of all Trader Joe's fish products. While I haven't sampled their water-packed seafood options, I firmly believe that the best canned fish is preserved in oil, and I won't entertain any debate on that. Consequently, I've enjoyed the mackerel, lightly smoked salmon, and tuna in the past, and I'm eager to try their newest offering, grilled sardines. And let’s not forget to mention how exquisite the smoked trout is!

Skip it: Goya

When you think of the Goya brand, canned fish might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but they do provide a few budget-friendly options for those seeking a bargain. One such option is the jumbo 15.5-ounce can of Sardines in Tomato Sauce ($2.86), which I decided to sample.

Upon opening the can, I was struck by the generous amount of tomato sauce and the size of the sardines. To say these sardines were large would be an understatement — they were like the giants of the sardine world. Unfortunately, in this instance, bigger doesn't equate to better. The texture was mushy, and the flavor was an unappealing combination of overly oily fish and diluted tomato sauce. Given this disappointing experience, I can't imagine that the mackerel, tuna, or plain sardine varieties would fare any better. It's worth noting that this review focuses solely on Goya's canned seafood line, as I've enjoyed many of their other products — such as beans, chickpeas, and spices — that I've tried.

Buy it: Ortiz

I've previously highlighted Ortiz White Tuna in Olive Oil, a Spanish brand, as one of the finest canned tuna options available, and it deserves another mention. I find this tuna so delightful that I often mix it with plain rice and consider it a complete dinner — and a truly excellent one at that. My only concern is its price, which can be a bit steep at $6.99 for a 3.95-ounce can, but I believe it's worth every cent.

And that's just Ortiz's basic tuna. The brand also boasts an impressive range of sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and even hake roe, which are delicate fish eggs that Ortiz suggests enjoying as a tapa. While not strictly a canned item, I must also recommend Ortiz's boquerones, marinated white anchovy fillets that offer a wonderfully clean, pickled taste, quite different from the traditional salt-laden variety. It's the kind of gourmet treat that can transport you straight to the sun-drenched beaches of San Sebastian, the unofficial conservas capital of the world.

Skip it: Starkist

StarKist is a well-known brand of canned tuna, recognized as one of the most popular choices available in stores today. Keeping its top ranking in mind, I decided to sample one of the many varieties it offers. I chose the Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Dill and Lemon ($1.98 for a 4.5-ounce can), as I believed these flavors would enhance the rich taste of the tuna.

Upon opening the can, I found the tuna to be firm and slightly pink, while the oil had a vibrant green hue from the dill. The aroma of lemon and dill was pleasantly strong, setting the stage for what I expected to be a flavorful experience. However, when I tasted the tuna flakes, the herbal flavors completely overpowered the fish, making it difficult to discern its true identity. Was I eating chicken in dill lemon oil or tuna? I couldn't tell.

StarKist offers a wide range of tuna options, from plain to flavored, but this isn't the first time I've been let down by its quality. Each time I've tried StarKist tuna, it either feels overwhelmed by heavy ingredients or disappointingly bland. There are far superior tuna options available on the market, so I would recommend skipping this one if you're looking for flavor.

Buy it: Minerva

Canned sardines are the original classic of conservas for good reason. These small, oily fish fillets come with bones that are barely noticeable when snacking. While there are countless ways to elevate canned sardines into a gourmet treat, I often prefer them simply on a salted cracker. Minerva, a renowned Portuguese canning company since 1942, offers a wide variety of sardine options, including my primary focus, Sardines in Spiced Olive Oil with Pickles ($3.99 for a 4.25-ounce can).

The main source of heat in this product comes from a fiery piri-piri chili included with the sardines, which gives the oil a subtle kick that hits you at the end. There are also a couple of slices of pickles and carrots that enhance the overall flavor profile. The sardines themselves are tender and delicious, perfectly complemented by the gentle heat and briny notes.

This is just the beginning of what Minerva has to offer. The brand also features excellent choices for tuna, mackerel, and fish pâté, as well as sardines packed in lemon-infused oil, tomato sauce, and spiced olive oil. If you're looking for a tasty introduction to Portuguese conservas, Minerva is an excellent brand to explore.

Skip it: Great Value

Walmart's private label, Great Value, offers one of the most budget-friendly choices in canned seafood. I picked up a 3.75-ounce can of sardines in Louisiana hot sauce for just 98 cents, a zesty condiment reminiscent of Tabasco or Crystal's. There are numerous brands that blend heat with rich sardines, and I was curious to sample one that featured the vinegar-based Louisiana-style hot sauce.

Upon opening the can, I was pleasantly surprised by the sardines' neat and meaty appearance. However, the flavor left much to be desired, making this the most tasteless sardine on my list. Even the hot sauce had an off taste, with a metallic undertone overshadowing its acidic spiciness. On the bright side, the heat from the hot sauce did numb my tongue somewhat, which made the tasting experience more bearable, but I doubt that other Great Value fish packed in milder liquids like water or oil would offer a better experience.

Buy it: Tonnino

Tuna ranks among my favorite canned fish for several reasons, particularly because it can be transformed into a delightful meal with minimal effort. With that in mind, I decided to try another brand renowned for its tuna: Tonnino. This Costa Rican brand is celebrated for its upscale yet reasonably priced tuna. I picked up the standard Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil to see how it compared.

Upon opening the can, I was greeted with a generous portion of pink yellowfin tuna chunks, enhanced by a touch of salt for added flavor. The oil was delicious on its own—always a nice bonus—and contributed to the moistness of the tuna. It was fantastic served over rice or on crackers, and I can easily imagine it in a creamy avocado tuna salad. This tuna is wonderfully versatile and of high quality.

What I particularly appreciate about Tonnino is its more budget-friendly price ($3.99 for a 4.9-ounce can). While I can't always indulge in a can of Ortiz tuna, Tonnino provides a more affordable option without sacrificing gourmet taste. The brand also features a variety of tuna options in glass jars, which are highly recommended for making tonnato, a gourmet tuna pasta sauce. Plus, they have a new line of canned tuna party dips, including Yellowfin Tuna in Chipotle Sauce. Count me in!

Skip it: Wild Planet

Here’s a brand of canned fish that appears to fulfill all the criteria for providing a quality meal. Wild Planet is renowned for its sustainable fishing methods, utilizing only pole-and-line and trolling techniques to catch its tuna and sardines. Due to this eco-conscious approach, Wild Planet Albacore Tuna in Olive Oil is somewhat more expensive than the typical can of tuna, priced at $3.98 for a 5-ounce can.

Despite these commendable attributes, my can of Albacore was dry, tasteless, and — to my dismay — had a slightly metallic taste. Given the premium price, I expect significantly more from a can of tuna. On a positive note, the olive oil was of high quality, serving as the sole highlight in an otherwise unsatisfactory can of tuna. However, this was not enough to prevent the brand from being banned from my kitchen. I can only hope that one day the flavor will live up to its impressive sustainability credentials.

Buy it: Porthos

The Portuguese brand Porthos offers sardines that are instantly recognizable, featuring a cheeky conquistador grinning from their vividly colored cans. Beyond the playful imagery, this brand boasts a variety of delicious sardine options, including my final selection: Porthos Spiced Sardines in Olive Oil ($5.49 for a 4.4-ounce can).

Upon opening the can, I discovered beautifully arranged sardine fillets that were perfect for a photo. The best part? These sardines were just as delightful in taste as they were in appearance. They were incredibly tender without being mushy, delivering a rich flavor with a subtle kick of heat at the finish. I was also pleasantly surprised to find carrots and cucumber included, which added to the overall sophisticated taste.

With such a promising experience, I’m excited to explore more of Porthos' sardine offerings, such as Sardines in Teriyaki Sauce and Sardines in Brine. The brand also features tinned tuna, smoked salmon, mackerel, and fish pâté that seem worth trying.

Skip it: Bumble Bee

While I have a strong affection for Trader Joe's smoked trout, I'm always on the lookout for alternatives, especially when I want to avoid the hassle of parking at Trader Joe's (which has the most frustrating parking lot ever). I thought I’d give Bumble Bee a try, a brand typically recognized for its tuna. Bumble Bee Smoked Trout in Canola Oil ($4.12 for a 3.8-ounce can) was even slightly less expensive than my usual Trader Joe's choice.

Despite my eagerness to enjoy this can of trout, it fell short of replacing my go-to option and didn’t even serve as a decent substitute. It simply didn’t measure up. Even soaked in canola oil, the trout had a drier texture that left flakes stuck in my throat. Additionally, I felt that Bumble Bee overemphasized the smoky flavor, which came off more like the scent of a blazing campfire than that of a smokehouse. I’ve also had issues with Bumble Bee tuna, often finding it lacking in flavor, so I doubt I’ll be returning to this brand anytime soon.

Buy it: Matiz

A respected Spanish brand, Matiz takes pride in offering sardines and seafood sourced from the Eastern Atlantic and packaged in Galicia, all enhanced with local Spanish olive oil. While any of their sardine varieties could serve as a prime example of their quality, I have a particular fondness for Matiz's Wild Sardines with Natural Lemon Essence ($4.99 for a 4.2-ounce can), as I believe lemon beautifully complements the rich, earthy flavor of the sardines.

Matiz's rendition is subtly infused with lemon oil, providing a floral scent rather than a sharp acidity. The sardines are tender and rich, with a delightful taste that isn’t overwhelmed by the lemon. What’s truly remarkable about Matiz is the wide array of other delectable fish and flavors available. From plain to lightly smoked, each sardine variety is a delight in its own right, and their tuna and mackerel options are equally impressive. Expanding beyond just fish, the brand also offers a tin of octopus (or pulpo, as it’s known in Spain) that serves as a fantastic alternative to fresh seafood.

Skip it: Chicken of the Sea

There’s definitely a time and place for canned salmon—particularly in dishes like salmon cakes or croquettes—even if it doesn’t enjoy the same reputation as fresh salmon. With that in mind, I decided to give Chicken of the Sea's Alaskan Pink Salmon in Water ($2.19 for a 5-ounce can) a try to see if it could meet my expectations for quality.

Unfortunately, it did not. Call me crazy, but I expected this fish to be much pinker, especially with "pink" in the name. Instead, it resembled cooked chicken bits floating in a pool of salty water. After tasting it, I still can’t determine if this can actually contains any salmon. The flavor was reminiscent of... perhaps tuna? Maybe chicken? Or even imitation crab with a hint of salmon essence? In any case, it was barely palatable.

I’ve had similarly disappointing experiences with other Chicken of the Sea products (spoiler alert: the tuna is also tasteless), so I can’t chalk this up to a one-off error. If you can, steer clear of this brand in the store.

Buy it: Nuri

Another Portuguese sardine brand has made its debut. This time, it's Nuri, a seafood label known for its distinctive yellow and green packaging. While the brand boasts a variety of sardine flavors, I opted for one that promised a delightful combination of spice and acidity: Nuri Spiced Sardines in Tomato Sauce ($5.99 for a 4.4-ounce can).

Inside the can, I found sardines that were significantly larger than what I typically encounter, featuring two thick fillets instead of the usual four slender ones. The fillets were generously coated in rich oil and tomato sauce, delivering a bite that was both vibrant and spicy. In fact, I would rank these among the spicier sardines I’ve tried.

If you enjoy a bit of heat, you’re likely to be very pleased with this option or the company’s similarly flavored Sardines in Spiced Oil. They also offer a spiced mackerel variety. However, if you prefer milder flavors, you might enjoy their Sardines in Tomato Sauce or Sardines in Olive Oil. No matter what you choose, Nuri promises a quality fillet of fish.

Skip it: Iberia

As a canned seafood brand, Iberia seemed like a promising option. Established in 1930, Iberia was designed to serve customers seeking Caribbean, Hispanic, and Latin American flavors. With such a rich history backing it, I was eager to sample their Sardines in Vegetable Oil ($1.42 for a 4.2-ounce can).

While canned sardines are expected to have a fish flavor, they should never taste overly "fishy." Unfortunately, these sardines exemplify that unpleasant fishy taste. Additionally, they are packed in a large amount of vegetable oil, which adds no flavor and results in a slick, greasy texture. I even double-checked the expiration date to make sure I hadn't picked up a spoiled batch, but it was well within the acceptable range. Despite the brand's name evoking the esteemed conservas of Portugal and Spain, its canned seafood falls short of the quality found in those countries.

How we selected canned fish

While making my purchases, I focused on brands that offered a diverse selection of fish and were easily accessible for online or in-store shopping. I set a budget of $10 per can, aiming for these products to serve as an everyday snack rather than an occasional indulgence. All the tins I considered contained fish only, excluding shellfish and crustaceans. I also ensured a good representation of international brands, recognizing that high-quality canned fish can be sourced from around the globe.

In my tasting process, I assessed the flavor, texture, price, and sustainability of the fish. I sampled the canned fish either on its own or paired with a simple salted cracker to avoid masking or significantly changing the taste.