20 ways with tinned fish

Eating tinned fish is an easy way to help limit your waste as it keeps much longer than fresh, is stored out of the fridge and doesn't lose any of its vital nutrition. Tinned fish is also cheaper than the fresh version so it's an ideal way to keep your weekly food bills low.

If you've got some tins lurking in your cupboard that you're unsure what to do with, or you're simply looking for some cheap and sustainable ways to get more fish into your diet, then try some of our easy tinned fish recipes that make the most of this under-utilised produce.

For more delicious dishes check out our favourite fish cake recipes and read our 10 healthiest fish to eat guide.

This guide was brought to you by Cook Smart, a campaign designed by Good Food experts to help you save money and reduce food waste. Dive into more Cook Smart content in our budget hub.

What are the different types of tinned fish?

Tinned tuna – arguably the most popular canned fish, this is readily available and can be used in everything from pasta bakes to loaded potato wedges.

Tinned sardines – an excellent source of protein and iron, sardines contain nearly 100 per cent of recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Try them in simple recipes like Spanish sardines on toast or as a spicy dip.

Anchovies – these add a salty, umami flavour to sauces and dressing. Try them on our caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta with gremolata.

Mackerel – you can swap out the fresh version for tinned mackerel in a number of our recipes like our smoked mackerel risotto or peppered mackerel fishcakes.

Salmon – canned salmon is much more affordable than fresh, making it a budget-friendly option for those wanting to have it in their diet. Try it in our salmon burgers for a protein-rich dinner.

Best tinned fish to buy

When buying canned fish look out for brands that have the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label, as it means that it's being fished in a way that doesn't deplete our oceans. Here are some examples:

Sea Sisters smoked sardine fillets

Waitrose anchovy fillets in olive oil

Rio Mare no drain tuna

Princes mackerel fillets in sunflower oil

20 best tinned fish recipes

Tinned sardines recipes

Sardine pasta with crunchy parsley crumbs

Canned sardines are a great source of omega 3 and add oomph to this simple, family pasta dish.

Spanish sardines on toast

Get a taste of the Med with this simple sardines on toast recipe. Sardines are a storecupboard staple and are packed with omega-3. This dish is perfect for a quick lunch or as a starter for an occasion dinner.

Budget kedgeree

For a wallet-friendly family dinner, try our budget kedgeree made with sardines for an inexpensive, yet nourishing meal that doesn't sacrifice flavour.

Spicy sardine dip

For a different kind of snack at your next party or family night in, try this spicy sardine dip flavoured with a touch of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.

Sardine tomato pasta with gremolata

You just need a handful of ingredients to make this crowd pleasing sardine tomato pasta with gremolata. It's cheap and cheerful and you only need 20 minutes to make it.

Tinned tuna recipes

Creamy tuna & sweetcorn spaghetti

Keep this creamy pasta sauce in the freezer for a speedy and simple meal. Just warm through your sauce and toss through cooked pasta.

Spicy tuna wrap

Rustle up a spicy tuna wrap in 10 minutes for a flavour-packed lunch, ideal to pack in a lunchbox for work or school. Spring onions, gherkins and capers all go well in it too, if you want to use up what’s in the fridge.

Soy-baked potatoes with tuna sriracha mayo

Load jacket potatoes with a spicy mayo that’s fragrant with ginger for a fresh take on the classic cheesy beans number. They're great for a speedy supper for four.

Tuna pasta & aubergine bake

Make a healthier version of tuna pasta bake with added aubergine and peppers – it packs in three of your five-a-day. Despite the cheesy topping, it’s low in fat, too.

Tuna, bean & olive salad

Combine fine green beans, borlotti beans, olives, tuna chunks, celery and red onion to make a nutritious salad for lunch or dinner. It's ready in just 20 minutes.

Tinned salmon recipes

Super-healthy salmon burgers

For something a bit lighter than a potato packed fishcake and to use up some tinned salmon, try these salmon burgers made with ginger, soy sauce and coriander.

Samphire & lemony salmon linguine

For a cheaper alternative, you could swap fresh salmon for tinned instead to make this samphire & lemony salmon linguine. It makes for a great lunch or quick dinner.

Tinned anchovy recipes

Pasta & purple sprouting broccoli with anchovies, garlic & preserved lemon

This zingy pasta dish can be ready on the table in 30 minutes – the salty flavour works well with iron-rich purple sprouting broccoli.

Spaghetti with fennel, anchovies, currants, pine nuts & capers

Our spaghetti with fennel, anchovies, currants, pine nuts & capers is a salty, sweet and simple dish that can be on the table in under 30 minutes.

Roast romanesco with anchovies, capers & currants

Add a salty tang to romenesco in our recipe for roast romanesco with tinned anchovies, capers & currants. The currants help to balance out the saltiness. It's a great side dish and works well tossed through pasta, too.

Caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta with gremolata

Who says tinned fish can't be luxurious? Our caramelised red onion & anchovy pasta makes for a delicious dinner for two on date night, while still being a budget-friendly option.

Tinned mackerel recipes

Harissa mackerel fishcakes with agrodolce red peppers & garlic yogurt

Use storecupboard stars harissa, white miso, sundried tomato paste and crispy chilli oil to rustle up these moreish fishcakes and balance the budget.

Peppered mackerel fishcakes

These peppered mackerel fishcakes are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes and tinned mackerel if you've got some lying about in your storecupboard.

Smoked mackerel risotto

After a busy day, it's nice to be able to whip up something quickly with simple ingredients you always have in the house. For our smoked mackerel risotto you can easily swap in tinned mackerel to make it even cheaper per serving.

Smoked mackerel & leek hash with horseradish

Make this smoked mackerel & leek hash in just 30 minutes. It uses just a few ingredients and can be served in the pan, so makes a great choice on busy weeknights.

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