Not so long ago, tinned fish was considered the kind of pantry staple you reached for only when the fridge was empty. I have personally have spent more lunches than I’d like to admit staring over an uninspiring bowl of tuna and rice. The connotation of tinned fish was, of course, that convenience doesn’t translate to excitement.
But recent years have seen the humble tinned fish undergo a glow up. Now, it’s become a coveted ingredient; one that lines the shelves of gourmet grocers and appears on aperitivo spreads alongside crusty sourdough, French butter and all manner of other chic accompaniments.
The appeal is easy to understand. Tinned fish is (generally) affordable and requires almost no preparation, making it the ideal ingredient for everything from quick weekday lunches to entertaining. Whether you love the salty tang of an anchovy, or are trying to eat your skincare by upping your sardine intake, there’s a recipe to help you get there. Below, we’ve rounded up the best tinned fish recipes that prove there’s far more to preserved seafood than toast and crackers.
1. Julius Robert’s sardine pasta
This is kind of like a puttanesca sauce (my personal favourite), but dialled up a bit by replacing anchovies with sardines. Impeccable.
2. Jesse Jenkins’ Tinned fish tartare
If you want something to impress the next time you have friends over, this is it. This recipe uses smoked mackerel, topped with crispy fried shallots and an egg yolk – and served with a chip of your choice.
3. Spicy tuna ragu
Another pasta recipe, but one that transforms a humble tin of tuna into a rich, spicy, genuinely delicious ragu. The secret ingredient is a hint of curry powder.
4. Sardine Ochazuke
This recipe is described as a “Japanese hangover cure” – in other words, salty, fresh, but also gentle on the stomach. The main ingredients are rice, sardines, seaweed, and a hot green tea broth.
5. Joel Bennetts’ herby anchovy toast
One of the simpler recipes on this list. All you really need is good quality butter, an abundance of fresh herbs, some crusty sourdough, and anchovies.
6. Alissa Timoshkina’s asparagus and mackerel salad
This is not your average tinned fish salad. It’s got crunchy gem lettuce, just-boiled potatoes, and steamed asparagus, alongside tinned mackerel, and zesty, herby dressing. Best enjoyed in the sun.
7. Eggs in purgatory (featuring sardines)
This is a breakfast recipe that really packs a punch. The classic tomato-y sauce is amped up by the addition of a few sardine fillets. And when it’s all finished cooking, throw on some freshly grated parmesan and a handful of basil, and scoop onto some toasted sourdough.
8. Roberta Pecoraro’s grilled sardines and jammy tomatoes
This is my kind of comfort food. The tomatoes are cooked low and slow with balsamic vinegar, capers, pine nuts and medjool dates, so they’re perfectly jammy and just a tiny bit sweet. Throw in some crispy potato and fresh greens and you’ve got yourself a perfect meal.
9. Broccoli, anchovy and chickpea pasta
Vegetables, fibre, carbs, good fats – this pasta literally has it all. And not only will you feel good eating it, but it tastes great, thanks to toasted breadcrumbs, plenty of garlic, chilli, and a healthy dose of parmesan.
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