Delicious Canned Salmon Tacos: An Easy Weeknight Dinner

Canned salmon tacos are an easy, budget-friendly weeknight dinner option that can be customized endlessly. With bold flavors like lime, chili powder, and salsa, canned salmon transforms into a tasty taco filling. Top with fresh vegetables and condiments for a satisfying meal the whole family will love.

Why Canned Salmon Tacos Are a Great Choice

Canned salmon offers many benefits that make it perfect for tacos

• Convenient and Budget-Friendly: Canned salmon is inexpensive, widely available at grocery stores, and has a long shelf life. No need to wait for fresh salmon to be in season or pay high prices.

• Quick Prep Canned salmon is pre-cooked and ready to flake into tacos with minimal prep time You can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes

• Nutritious Salmon is rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and an excellent source of protein Canned salmon contains the same nutritional benefits as fresh

• Kid-Approved: The tacos are handheld and customizable, making them a hit with kids and adults alike. The flavorful fillings and toppings ensure everyone enjoys these tacos.

• Endless Possibilities: Play around with global flavors, vegetables, condiments, and tortillas to create your perfect salmon taco. The options are limitless!

How to Make Basic Canned Salmon Tacos

Canned salmon tacos come together in just a few easy steps:

1. Flake the Salmon

• Drain a 5oz can of salmon and discard the bones/skin if necessary.

• Use a fork to flake the salmon into bite-size pieces in a medium bowl.

2. Season the Salmon

• Add 1-2 tablespoons of lime or lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning.

• Mix well until the salmon is evenly coated with the seasoning.

3. Warm the Tortillas

• Warm 6-8 small corn or flour tortillas in the microwave or skillet until pliable.

4. Build the Tacos

• Place a scoop of seasoned salmon into each tortilla.

• Add desired toppings like salsa, cabbage, avocado, cheese, cilantro, etc.

• Squeeze over some lime juice and enjoy!

So easy, right? Now let’s look at some tasty ways to take basic canned salmon tacos to the next level.

Creative Topping Ideas for Delicious Salmon Tacos

One of the best parts of salmon tacos is customizing them just how you like. With the right mix of flavors, textures, colors and temperatures you can create a truly crave-worthy taco experience.

Fruit Salsas

Fruit salsas add sweet, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the salmon. Try mango, pineapple, peach, or tomatoes mixed with red onion, cilantro, jalapeño and a squeeze of lime.

Pickled Vegetables

For a tasty crunch, top with quick pickled veggies like red onion, radish, jalapeño, or carrot and daikon. The bright acidity balances the richness of the salmon.

Crunchy Cabbage

Thinly sliced red or green cabbage adds refreshing texture. Toss it with lime juice and salt for a tangy kick.

Creamy Condiments

Sour cream, Greek yogurt, avocado, and guacamole all provide a smooth, cooling contrast to the spicy seasonings.

Hot Sauces

A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce like Cholula, Tapatio, or Valentina’s amps up the heat.

Fresh Herbs

Chopped cilantro, dill, basil, and mint give the tacos a fresh herbal flavor and aroma.

Tangy Citrus

Extra lime or lemon wedges let people add bright, tart juice to balance the richness.

Cheese

Shredded Mexican cheese blends like queso fresco or cotija offer salty accent. Vegan cheese works too!

Crispy Shells

For fun crunch, switch out the soft tortillas for crunchy taco shells.

With so many options, you could enjoy salmon tacos all week and never get bored! The salmon also pairs well with Tex-Mex spices, Baja flavors, creamy sauces, and global ingredients.

Handy Tips for Salmon Taco Success

Here are some tips for making stellar salmon tacos at home:

• Squeeze over fresh lime or lemon juice at the end for brightness.

• Chill the fruit salsa ahead of time to allow flavors to meld.

• Quick pickle red onion and jalapeño for tangy crunch with minimal effort.

• Set up a taco bar so everyone can customize their tacos.

• Warm the tortillas briefly so they are soft and pliable for folding.

• Try lentil or black bean soup on the side for a heartier meal.

• Add heat with sliced jalapeños, chili powder, cayenne, or hot sauce.

• Make extra fruit salsa and pickled veggies to enjoy all week long.

• Switch up the protein with shrimp, tuna, or pan-seared white fish.

• Fry the warm tortillas for a few seconds to make tasty tostada shells.

• Add crunch with shredded lettuce, chopped nuts, tortilla strips, or chicharrones.

• Serve with Mexican rice and beans for a complete meal.

With the right techniques, combinations, and condiments, you can create restaurant-worthy salmon tacos at home any night of the week.

Creative Salmon Taco Recipes to Try

To spark inspiration for experimenting with global flavors, here are some creative canned salmon taco recipes:

Chili Lime Salmon Tacos

The classic! Salmon seasoned with lime juice, olive oil, chili powder and cumin. Top with mango salsa, cabbage, and cilantro.

Mediterranean Salmon Tacos

Salmon seasoned with lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. Top with tzatziki, feta, tomato, red onion, spinach.

Cajun Salmon Tacos

Salmon coated in Cajun seasoning. Top with pico de gallo, avocado, and chipotle crema.

Thai Salmon Tacos

Salmon marinated in ginger, lime juice, sesame oil, and Thai red curry paste. Top with peanut sauce, carrots, and cucumber.

Korean Salmon Tacos

Salmon tossed in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and gochujang. Top with kimchi coleslaw and sriracha mayo.

Buffalo Salmon Tacos

Salmon coated in hot sauce and ranch dressing. Top with lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese, and more ranch.

Salmon Tikka Tacos

Salmon seasoned with garam masala and yogurt. Top with mango chutney, onions, cilantro.

Hawaiian Salmon Tacos

Salmon glazed with teriyaki sauce. Top with grilled pineapple salsa and jalapeños.

As you can see, canned salmon tacos are incredibly versatile! Change up the global flavors and toppings each week for an easy yet exotic dinner.

Satisfying and Simple Canned Salmon Taco Dinner

Canned salmon tacos are a quick, budget-friendly way to put a nutritious meal on the table any night of the week. With minimal prep time, you can whip up salmon taco fillings bursting with big flavors. Let your imagination run wild with fresh toppings and global accents to create tacos that satisfy the whole family. Keep cans of salmon stocked in your pantry for effortless, delicious tacos anytime!