Tinned salmon is an affordable and convenient way to get healthy omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. But eating it straight from the can isn’t always appetizing. Luckily, there are many delicious ways to enjoy tinned salmon and complement its flavor. Here are 10 of my favorite things to eat with tinned salmon.
1. Pasta
Tinned salmon is a fantastic addition to pasta dishes adding protein and healthy fats. Some easy pasta recipes with tinned salmon include
-
Creamy Salmon Pasta Flake tinned salmon into a creamy pasta sauce with spinach The flavors complement each other perfectly
-
Salmon Carbonara: Replace bacon or pancetta in carbonara with tinned salmon for a seafood twist.
-
Lemon Salmon Linguine: Toss linguine with lemon, garlic, olive oil, tinned salmon, and fresh parsley. Simple and delicious!
Salmon’s richness stands up well to creamy or zesty sauces. Pasta makes a filling and affordable meal when paired with tinned salmon.
2. Eggs
The delicate flavor of eggs pairs beautifully with the stronger taste of salmon. Some tasty ways to enjoy them together:
-
Salmon Omelet or Frittata: Add flaked salmon to eggs before cooking. Sprinkle with dill or green onions.
-
Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs: Mix smoked salmon with egg yolk filling. Top with a sprig of dill.
-
Salmon Quiche: Line a pie crust with sautéed onions, bell peppers, and tinned salmon before pouring over whisked eggs.
Pre-cooked tinned salmon saves time in the morning. Having it on hand means you can quickly prepare simple, protein-packed egg dishes.
3. Salad
Salads provide a healthy, light meal when topped with tinned salmon. The omega-3’s and protein will help you feel satisfied. Salad pairing ideas include:
-
Salmon Caesar Salad: Flake salmon over crisp romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, croutons, and parmesan.
-
Salmon Niçoise: Toss tinned salmon with lettuce, green beans, olives, tomatoes, and potatoes. Drizzle with vinaigrette.
-
Cobb Salad with Salmon: Top salad greens with tinned salmon, hard boiled eggs, avocado, bacon, tomatoes, and blue cheese.
A salad is a great way to use up leftovers. Transform boring greens into a filling, nutrient-packed dish with tinned salmon.
4. Rice
The mild flavor of rice perfectly complements the savory taste of salmon. Quick lunch or dinner ideas include:
-
Salmon Fried Rice: Sauté rice with salmon, peas, carrots, onions, ginger and soy sauce for a fast meal.
-
Salmon Poke Bowl: Serve sushi rice topped with tinned salmon, edamame, cucumbers, avocado and sesame seeds.
-
Salmon Bibimbap: Mix salmon with rice, sautéed veggies, sesame oil, soy sauce, and a fried egg over top.
Grains offer an affordable and easy base for meals when paired with tinned salmon for added nutrition and flavor.
5. Potatoes
Hearty potatoes are a satisfying companion for salmon’s richness. Some tasty combos are:
-
Salmon Potato Cakes: Shred potatoes and mix with tinned salmon, eggs, onion, and breadcrumbs. Pan fry into crisp cakes.
-
Loaded Salmon Baked Potatoes: Stuff baked potatoes with tinned salmon, cheese, bacon, green onions and sour cream.
-
Salmon Potato Salad: Flake salmon into warm potato salad dressed with a tangy yogurt-dill sauce.
Potatoes are filling, versatile and pair well with salmon’s omega 3’s and protein. An easy, budget-friendly meal option.
6. Sandwiches and Wraps
Tinned salmon makes excellent sandwich fillings. Some quick and easy ideas include:
-
Salmon Salad Sandwich: Mix salmon with mayo, lemon juice, celery, onion and pepper. Spread on bread or a wrap.
-
Salmon Melt: Top bread or an open-faced bagel with tinned salmon, tomato slices and melted cheese.
-
Salmon Tacos: Flake salmon into warmed corn tortillas with shredded cabbage, salsa and avocado.
Sandwiches and wraps allow you to quickly assemble a satisfying meal. Tinned salmon provides sustaining protein you’ll taste in every bite.
7. Pizza
Pizza night will get an extra boost of nutrition with tinned salmon. Try these tasty combinations:
-
Smoked Salmon Pizza: Top baked crust with cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion, capers and dill.
-
Hawaiian Salmon Pizza: Combine tinned salmon with pizza sauce, cheese, pineapple and bacon on crispy crust.
-
Salmon Mushroom Flatbread: Spread flatbread with pesto then add sautéed mushrooms and salmon.
Salmon is a wonderful pizza topping. Its richness can handle bold flavors like pineapple, bacon and pesto. Easy to customize to your preferences.
8. Chowders and Stews
Tinned salmon adds heartiness, protein, and healthy fats to soupy dishes like:
-
Salmon Chowder: Simmer salmon with potatoes, onion, celery, corn and cream or milk.
-
Seafood Stew: Add salmon and halibut or shrimp to a tomato base with white wine and herbs.
-
Salmon Coconut Curry: Make red curry with coconut milk, salmon, vegetables and aromatic spices.
The flavor of salmon holds up well when cooked in creamy or broth-based dishes. An easy way to use up the entire can at once.
9. Patties and Croquettes
When blended with binding ingredients like eggs or breadcrumbs, tinned salmon can be formed into tasty patties and fried. Try:
-
Salmon Patties: Mix canned salmon with eggs, onion, bell pepper and spices. Pan fry.
-
Salmon Croquettes: Combine canned salmon with mashed potato, flour and parsley. Roll into balls, flatten and fry.
-
Salmon Fish Cakes: Blend salmon with lemon, parsley, almond flour and shape into patties. Crisp in olive oil.
Patties and croquettes allow you to stretch a can of salmon into several portions. Quick to make and fun to eat in a bun or with dipping sauce.
10. Crackers and Toast
Simple crackers or toast become elegant and satisfying when topped with tinned salmon:
-
Smoked Salmon Canapés: Pile whipped cream cheese and smoked salmon onto crackers for an easy appetizer.
-
Open-Faced Salmon Melts: Top bagel halves, English muffins or toast with salmon and melted cheese.
-
Salmon Salad Stuffed Tomatoes: Fill cherry tomatoes with salmon mixed with cream cheese, lemon and herbs.
Crisp, savory crackers and toast make terrific vehicles for rich salmon flavors and textures. Elevate a snack into a light, protein-packed meal.
Conclusion
Tinned salmon is extremely versatile. With a little creativity, it can be enjoyed in place of fresh salmon in pastas, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and more. Choose wild-caught varieties for optimal nutrition. Pair with vegetables, eggs, rice, potatoes and sauces that complement salmon’s richness. With the simple recipes above, it’s easy to add satisfying protein to any meal.
How to make salmon salad
I like to start by making the vinaigrette in a large bowl. Combine your vinegar and olive oil with mustard. Mix it with a small whisk or fork. Add in your salt and black pepper to taste. I like to use truffle salt or Seasonello. If you are a sea salt fan, use that!
Next, chop your vegetables. I find that a veggie chopper makes this salad very easy and fast to make. Start with chopping the cucumber into a larger dice, followed by celery. Then, add them to the bowl with the dressing.
Once your veggies are in the dressing, open and drain your can of salmon and add that to the veggies. Mix everything well and then add your feta and herbs if using!
I immediately portion out into 4 small meal prep containers so they’re ready for anytime during the week. Any airtight container will work. And aim to eat it within 4 days.
How to eat canned salmon salad
- Pair with all of your favorite fresh veggies – think baby carrots, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, sliced fennel or endive
- Romaine lettuce cups
- Stuff into an avocado half
- Over a bed of lettuce or baby spinach
- Eat as a salmon salad sandwich on a slice of toasted whole grain bread topped with a tomato and fresh basil
- Pair with whole grain or seed crackers and more cucumber slices.
- Turn into a wrap stuffed with lettuce and tomato
When buying canned salmon, it’s crucial to check the ingredients list. You should aim for one that has minimal ingredients, most often salmon, water, and salt. Once you have selected a few good options, it’s time to compare the sodium level. Choose the brand with the lowest amount of sodium per serving. Simple as that!
If you’re following the FASTer Way to Fat Loss with me, this is a very easy salmon salad recipe that works well for low carb days, and you can also turn it into a complete meal for regular macro days too. It’s full of whole food nutrition, real food, and it’s a great way to meet your macro goals.
This salad recipe packs a punch of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and calcium (if you go for bone-in salmon) while clocking in as a protein powerhouse!
Macros look like this:
Calories: 176
Fat: 8g
Carbohydrate: 3g
Protein: 21g
Fiber: 1g
Salmon Patties – Old Fashioned, Southern Recipe!
FAQ
What goes well with canned salmon?
To serve canned salmon recipes, opt for the typical salmon side dishes like rice, asparagus and light salads.
How are you supposed to eat canned salmon?
Yes, you can eat canned salmon straight out of the can. Canned salmon is fully cooked during the canning process, making it safe to eat without further preparation. Many people enjoy it as is or use it in salads, sandwiches, or pasta dishes. Just be sure to drain any excess liquid before eating or using it in a recipe.
What to do with tinned salmon?
- Air fryer salmon fish cakes. (12) 50 mins.
- 10-minute cheesy salmon rice bake. (10) 10 mins.
- Salmon mornay baked potatoes. Rate now. 1 hr 55 mins.
- Crispy Japanese sushi salmon patties. (17) …
- Salmon, chia and broccoli fish cakes. (12) …
- Salmon and white bean fritters. (6) …
- Cheesy salmon pie. (6) …
- Salmon patties. (16)
Can you eat canned salmon by itself?
While most folks are familiar with canned tuna, canned salmon is also a tasty, versatile, and long-lasting option for home cooks. The best part? It’s fully cooked. This means your can of salmon is ready to eat right out of the tin.