The best canned salmon may not be anything like fresh seafood. But then not everybody has the time and sometimes even money to buy the latter. On the other hand, canned seafood is affordable and can be stored in your pantry for a while. And the ones reviewed in this post are also highly nutritious.
You probably already know that salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and plenty of minerals and vitamins too. And the best part is that you don’t even need to do any cooking, unlike in the case of fresh fish, meat, chicken, and other such protein sources.
So let’s get to know some of the top labels that make canned salmon a delicious, affordable, and healthy meal option.
Top 10 Canned Salmon Brands
1. Wild Planet Wild Sockeye Salmon
It’s time to get acquainted with the finest canned sockeye salmon whose price is well-justified. And once you introduce wild fish into your diet, there’s just no turning back. You can have a can daily; all you have to do is eat right out of it without adding anything.
The brand uses only sustainably sourced salmon. And it’s canned fresh for preserving the nutritional potency, no doubt about that either.
Key Features
- Fresh skinless, boneless salmon fillets
- GMO-free and gluten-free with no trans fat
- Abundant nutrition – Vitamin D, Omega 3, and Protein
- Sustainably sourced and paleo and keto compliant
2. Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon
Yet another premium quality brand for skinless and boneless salmon that doesn’t disappoint at all. So you can now prepare your favorite delicious, healthful salmon salad without any fuss.
The most enticing part is that it doesn’t give off that unpleasant strong fishy smell or taste. Plus, fish nutrients keep the heart healthy at the same time.
Key Features
- Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon (skinless and boneless)
- Huge amounts of omega-3s in every serving
- No extra ingredients or chemicals added
3. StarKist Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon
Not all protein is the same, right? Some of it is actually superior in terms of quality with zero carb content. And that protein comes from wild-caught salmon, such as this Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon by StarKist. The thing about pink salmon is that it’s packed with complete proteins, which means an abundance of essential amino acids provided to your body.
Furthermore, this is a brand that wants to make sure you include only wholesome meals in your daily diet. And canned fish that works with Paleo, Keto, and Mediterranean diets is an excellent way to go about it.
Key Features
- Sustainably-sourced wild-caught salmon
- Rich source of omega-3, protein, vitamin D, and calcium
- Low levels of saturated fat and also gluten-free and soy-free
- Mild yet delicious flavor for cakes, salads, stews, and croquettes
4. Rubensteins Salmon Red Sockeye
Enjoy a rich, full flavor, so what if the seafood is canned! Rubensteins Red Sockeye Salmon recipe is fresh and perfect for salads and sandwiches. But it’s not boneless, which is great if you want to prepare traditional dishes. And just so you know, the bones are soft, edible, and delicious.
Also, did you know that the humanely harvested seafood for consumption is canned salmon? And you can also trust Rubensteins for delivering the right texture, perfect moistness, and good flavor on a consistent basis.
Key Features
- Full, rich flavored red sockeye salmon
- Natural source of omega-3
- Not boneless, thus can be used for traditional dishes
- Cans are completely packed with juice
5. Chicken of the Sea Premium Skinless & Boneless Pink Salmon
Just because you want to stay away from junk food doesn’t mean you can’t add more fish to your daily diet. But what about the high cost of such a decision? Well, you might be relieved to know that this skinless, boneless pink salmon by Chicken of the Sea stays within the budget.
On top of that, each serving contains only 70 calories with rich content of omega-3. And the food is 97-percent fat-free as well. So brands like these prove that quick, convenient meals can be a healthy option too.
Key Features
- Highly nutritious wild-caught pink salmon
- Boneless and skinless with a fresh taste
- Very low in calories and fat
- Contains important nutrients – omega-3, protein, calcium, and more
6. Deming’s Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon
You’re most likely to buy Deming’s Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon over and over again. And that’s not only because it’s a great source of protein and omega-3. But also because you can right out of the can without cooking or adding anything.
Furthermore, canned salmon with bones offers a generous amount of calcium as well.
Key Features
- 100-percent pure red sockeye salmon
- Packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids
- Also enriched with riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin A
- It’s not boneless, thus contains calcium too
7. Redhead Wild Sockeye Salmon
The beauty of fresh sockeye here is that you can eat the fish right out of the can. And the product is worth the higher price because of the level of thoughtfulness the brand has included in the experience. For example, the packaging contains recipes you can always fall back on.
Even though slightly pricey, this canned seafood is worth the expensive price tag, given how exceptional the taste and longevity are.
Key Features
- Sustainably-harvested wild-caught sockeye salmon
- Includes bones and skin that are packed with minerals
- Great source of protein, vitamin D, and omega-3
- Gluten-free and non-GMO
- Kosher-certified and paleo and keto-friendly
8. BUMBLE BEE Skinless and Boneless Pink Salmon
If you’re worried about mercury poisoning because of eating too much fish weekly, then make it a once-a-week occasion. And if that’s the case, then the seafood better be great, right?
On that note, here’s skinless and boneless pink salmon that tastes utterly delicious with no excessively fishy smell or flavor. Not all canned seafood, after all, is the same! Some are actually worth trying, better tasting, and also affordable.
Key Features
- Skinless, boneless protein-packed pink salmon
- Rich flavor perfect for salads, pasta, soups, sandwiches, etc.
- Suitable for those on a ketogenic diet
9. Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon
If you’re bored of the dry texture and taste of canned tuna, it’s time to switch to canned salmon for enriching your diet with loads of omega-3 fatty acids. This is low-sodium, certified-sustainable, and non-GMO verified seafood by the way.
The soft meat of the salmon makes it perfect for salads and pasta. In short, it’s the best quick meal fix. And what makes the experience even better is the absence of the fishy smell and taste.
Key Features
- Sustainably wild-caught pink salmon
- Includes skin and bones for calcium
- Low sodium and non-GMO
- Certified paleo, certified sustainable, and Kosher certified
- Contains omega-3, vitamin D, and protein
10. 365 by Whole Foods Market Canned Wild Alaska Salmon
The first thing that comes to mind when you hear of this brand is most likely to be Trusted Quality. Whole Foods Market follows very stringent quality standards. Their products are organic and natural while also being affordable.
As for this Wild Alaska Canned Salmon, it’s shockingly good. Even those who don’t prefer canned seafood develop a liking to it. The fish, which includes the skin and bones, is deliciously tender and moist. And it actually tastes like real, fresh salmon.
Key Features
- Omega-3 rich wild Alaska sockeye salmon
- The texture is tender and moist
- Soft, edible bones included to provide calcium
What to Look For When Buying Canned Salmon
Needless to say, canned seafood products are available in abundance. So what are the things you should take into consideration in order to buy salmon that’s of the highest quality and nutritious?
Type of Salmon – Pink vs. Red Salmon
The difference between pink and red salmon pertains to the number of calories, fat content, price, and flavor. Pink salmon, in comparison to red salmon, has fewer calories with a lower level of fats. But it’s red salmon that’s richer-flavored, thus more expensive.
Both red salmon and pink salmon, however, are packed with generous amounts of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and other nutrients.
Wild Caught vs. Farmed Salmon
The label on the packaging tells you if the salmon is farmed or wild-caught.
Let’s first talk about Wild Alaskan salmon, which comes from the Alaskan salmon fishery (among the most regulated, sustainable, and safest fisheries of the world). The fishery is also sustainable-certified.
On the other hand, farmed salmon i.e. Atlantic salmon is fed antibiotics. This type of fish’s exposure to natural pollutants, through their organic feed, is also high. Therefore, they’re not as safe for consumption as wild-caught salmon.
Bone-In vs. Deboned Salmon
In this article itself, some of the top-selling canned salmon comes with bones and skin while the others are boneless and skinless.
So here’s the deal. Salmon with bones is not a bad choice, and so isn’t the boneless version. The bones included are soft, edible, and delicious. Some seafood lovers don’t mind the texture of skin and bones. So it’s all a matter of personal preferences.
In terms of health, there is a difference though. Bone-in salmon contains a larger dosage of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and calcium.
Fresh vs. Canned Salmon
Canned salmon has a rich content of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, just like fresh salmon.
Even traces of mercury are much the same in both canned. So it’s not like one option is any more or less toxic than the other.
Then comes the part of sustainable fishing. Between canned salmon and fresh salmon, it’s the former that’s better for planet Earth. And that’s because most of the canned salmon brands practice and support sustainable sourcing/harvesting methods. So the fish is caught in a more environmental-friendly manner without causing any harm to other fish.
Moving on to canned salmon being a more shelf-friendly option too. Did you know that you can store canned salmon for nearly 3 years? As long as you don’t open the can, it’s all good with a long shelf-life.
Tips for Storing Canned Salmon
You can store canned salmon, unopened of course, in your pantry or cupboard for almost 3 years? Just make sure that the storage space is at room temperature consistently. You can always check the Best Before date printed on the packaging.
And once opened, store the salmon in your refrigerator. But first, transfer the content into an airtight container. And use it all up before 3-4 days. Freezing canned salmon, on the other hand, increases its shelf-life for about 3 months.
Tips for Cooking Canned Salmon
Since canned salmon requires no cooking (because it’s already cooked), all you need to do is eliminate the liquid from the can and eat straight out of it.
If the salmon comes with skin and bones, you can remove them depending on your personal preferences. But then keep in mind that these bones, more often than not, are calcium-packed, tender, and soft. So you can just mash them using a fork into the fish meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canned salmon as healthy as fresh salmon?
Truth be told, both canned salmon and fresh salmon are an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. So in terms of nutritional value, there’s not any significant difference between the two.
Is canned salmon healthy?
Canned salmon, no doubt, is a very healthy and nutritious choice. That’s because it contains high levels of protein, omega-3 fatty acids (healthy fats), vitamin D, and calcium.
Is salmon good for weight loss?
Think of salmon as a healthy low-fat, low-calorie snack. The fish is full of protein, which keeps you full for longer. Plus, salmon is utterly delicious.
How to cook canned salmon in a pan?
There are plenty of canned salmon recipes you can prepare using a pan. For example, salmon cakes, where you combine drained canned salmon with sweet potato, egg, breadcrumbs, and dill. Pan-dry this till it turns golden. And then serve with honey-mustard dipping sauce.
Conclusion
Canned salmon, no doubt, is a more affordable way of incorporating fish into your diet. And when there are top brands with their sustainably-sourced, low-sodium, gluten-free, rich-flavored, and protein and omega-packed offerings, it becomes very difficult to turn them down.
No matter the type of salmon, it’s healthy. And if you get salmon with skin and bones, then it’s even more nutritious with the higher dose of omega-3 along with extra calcium and vitamin D.
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