Best Canned Salmon of 2022: Ranked and Reviewed

Some individuals have the good fortune to live near the seaside, and as a result, they have ready access to fresh fish whenever the mood strikes them. These individuals always have access to a wide variety of seafood, including tuna, mackerel, and many more. They need just make the trip to the fish market or get on a boat to go fishing. Both options are easily accessible.

But what about those people who don’t live near any major bodies of water at all? What about folks who like the flavor of salmon but are unable to go fishing for it or go down to a trustworthy fish market whenever the urge strikes?

There is no way that canned salmon isn’t the finest thing that’s ever happened since sliced bread. If you are someone who enjoys salmon or is someone who is health-conscious and listens to his or her doctor when they say that you should have at least three helpings of fish, particularly salmon, every week, then canned salmon should always be on your shopping list. If you are someone who is health-conscious and listens to his or her doctor when they say that you should have at least three helpings of fish, particularly salmon, every

The Best Canned Salmon

The following is a list of some of the greatest alternatives for canned salmon that you can purchase right now:

1. Best Overall – Wild Planet Wild Sockeye Salmon

The Wild Planet brand makes some of the finest canned salmon available, and this product is always a solid choice due to its simple preparation and delectable flavor. It is skinless and boneless, which means that no further work is required to prepare it for your meal. In addition, unlike many other canned salmons, it does not have a flavor or fragrance that is “fishy.” In addition to this, it is responsibly sourced, which means that you do not need to worry about the origin of the salmon in any way.

Our top recommendation is the Wild Planet Sockeye Salmon because it is brimming with protein and omega-3 fatty acid. This salmon should be your first choice for any quick dish that features salmon.

Pros

• It has wonderful flavor
• Does not possess a “fishy” odor like many other brands of canned salmon.
• Skinless and boneless
• It comes from eco-friendly sources.

Cons

• Compared to the prices of other other choices, this one is more expensive.

2. Best Premium Option – Rubinstein’s Salmon Red Sockeye

The flavor more than makes up for the fact that Rubinstein’s Salmon is one of the canned salmon products with the highest price point. In addition to being high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, Rubinstein’s has a taste that is considerably more robust and is an excellent choice for use in cooking. The salmon is quickly canned and sealed after being acquired from wild Alaskan blueback red salmon in order to maintain its authentic taste and depth of character. As a consequence of this, it is not boneless; nonetheless, removing the bones is relatively easy and does not demand a great deal of work on your part. In general, we really like this alternative, and it’s definitely one of our top picks.

Pros

• Rich salmon taste
• Excellent for use in the kitchen and for incorporating into recipes

Cons

• Contains Bones
• Compared to the costs of other choices, this alternative is more costly.

3. Best Keto Option – Redhead Wild Sockeye Salmon

The Redhead Wild Sockeye Salmon, which is yet another can of wild-caught salmon from Alaska, is every bit as delectable as the name suggests. This can of sockeye salmon was caught in a manner that does not harm the environment, and it is well-known for being an excellent source of protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acid. In addition, the can is free of gluten, does not contain any GMOs, and is suitable for those who follow the ketogenic and paleo diets.

The salmon included in this can is typically prepared with the skin and the bones, which are rich in minerals. This alternative, which is canned salmon that has been given the kosher certification, is delicious and suitable for practically any taste.

Pros

• Gluten-free
• Non-GMO
• Certified as being Kosher
• Both tasty and healthy for you.
• Harvested in a responsible manner

Cons

• Contains a negligible amount of mercury

4. Best Fillet Option – MW Polar Salmon Fillets

You will see that the fish within the majority of canned salmon contains almost everything, including the skin and the bones. This is one of the things that you will notice. While there are many who think it is very cool and like the flavor of salmon skin as well as the minerals that fish bones provide, there are others who do not.

If the idea of “fishing out” the bones and skin from your canned salmon makes you want to pull your hair out, then may want to give these MW Polar Salmon Fillets a go instead.

In addition to having been given a Kosher certification, this can of salmon in 7.05 ounces contains nothing but filleted salmon meat. This can has no additives of any type, nor does it include any form of preservatives; thus, it is ready to consume as soon as the can is opened.

Pros:

• Salmon fish fillet
• Ready to eat right out of the can
• Kosher certified
• No preservatives or additives

Cons:

• Certain individuals like eating the bones.

5. Best Mild Flavored Option – Think Pink Wild Alaska Pink Salmon

This can of Think Pink Wild Alaska Pink Salmon is packaged in complete pieces, which means that in addition to portions of gorgeous pink salmon flesh, you will also find the bones and skin of the fish within. This is Alaskan salmon that was caught in the wild, and it has a fantastic flavor in addition to the high-quality nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, natural protein, and vitamin D that it contains.

This specific can of fish has a flavor that is somewhat milder than others, making it a perfect choice for those who do not like meals that have a significant amount of a “fishy” taste. The taste is wonderful.

This can of salmon does not include any genetically modified organisms, does not contain any BPA, was gathered in a sustainable manner, and does not contain any toxins. Because of this, it is excellent when used in salads, chowders, sandwiches, main courses, and even as a snack.

Pros:

• Mild flavored salmon
• Wild-caught Alaskan salmon
• Non-GMO
• Kosher certified

Cons:

• Some individuals have expressed a preference for a more robust taste.

6. Best Calcium Content Option – Double Q Pink Salmon

The one thing that strikes out about this Double Q Pink Salmon is the fact that it has 20 times more calcium than you would receive from eating canned tuna. This is the one thing that makes this product stand out.

Even while we aren’t attempting to do the entire “apples for apples” and “oranges for oranges” thing, I think it’s safe to say that everyone would agree that any time you are receiving 20 times of anything, particularly vital minerals such as calcium, you are winning.

Our choice, much like the others on this list, is wild-caught Alaskan salmon that has been collected in an environmentally responsible manner and is packaged in accordance with Kosher regulations. This choice for canned salmon gives you food that is rich in protein and does not include any carbohydrates in its composition.

Pros:

• Excellent flavor
• calcium content that is 20 times more than canned tuna.
• Kosher
• Salmon caught in the wild

Cons:

• Some of the chunks of salmon in the can have a flat surface.

7. Best Boneless and Skinless Option – Kirkland Signature Wild Pink Alaskan Salmon

In our world, the most straightforward and high-quality things are often the easiest ones to make. They don’t have a large list of ingredients, and the production process isn’t too sophisticated; instead, they want to be as near to the natural thing as possible. This Kirkland Signature Wild Pink Alaskan Salmon provides you with just that for your dining pleasure.

This can of deliciousness delivers you high-quality salmon that has a deep, rich flavor, the sort that you can only get from a fish that has just been pulled out of the water. The pink Alaskan salmon and salt are the only ingredients in this can of yummy pleasure.

In addition, this product does not have any skin or bone, which is something that a lot of people who buy it will like. If you combine that information with the fact that each serving may provide you with up to 360 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, you may have discovered the recipe that best exemplifies canned salmon in its purest form.

Pros:

• Boneless and skinless
• There are neither preservatives nor additives used.
• Every meal contains 360 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Quite delicious

Cons:

• A little bit costly

8. Best Low Sodium Option – StarKist Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon

There are very few fish in the water that have a flavor as good as wild Alaskan pink salmon, and that is exactly what you get in this StarKist can of wild Alaskan pink salmon; nothing but wild-caught salmon from Alaska. There are very few fish in the water that have a flavor as good as wild Alaskan pink salmon.

One serving of fish has 15 grams of protein, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a source of protein. In addition to this, it has a negligible amount of saturated fat, a considerable amount of omega-3 fatty acid, and a substantial amount of calcium and vitamin D.

However, the fact that this canned salmon alternative has 30 percent less salt than its competitors is the primary selling feature. This is the option that will allow you to consume the least amount of salt possible, therefore choose it.

This option for canned salmon is not only incredibly adaptable but also a very simple method to spruce up practically every dish in your diet. It lends itself well to a broad range of culinary applications, from stews and salads to salmon cakes and even being consumed on its own as a complete meal.

Pros:

• Wild-caught Alaskan salmon
• Vitamin D and calcium are both abundant in this food.
• Low in sodium content
• Packaged in a convenient bag for usage

Cons:

• Typically consists of a mineral known as struvite, which may be seen as tiny crystals (although harmless, could be a turn off for some people)

Things to Consider Before Buying Canned Salmon

You have most likely seen that pink Alaskan salmon makes up the majority of the entries on this list. You also saw a Sockeye variety there someplace, and you are undoubtedly curious as to what the primary difference is between these two varieties of salmon, as well as whether one has a more desirable flavor.

Diet is the primary factor that determines the differences between the various types of salmon. Krill makes up the majority of the food of sockeye salmon, which are also known as red salmon. This is the reason why their skin has such a wonderfully crimson colour to it.

The second form of salmon that is widespread is called pink salmon. This variety of salmon gets its lighter shade of pink-colored meat from the shrimp that it enjoys eating. The pink salmon variety is the one that sells better than the other.

If you happen to be on the Pacific coast, you are in luck since both varieties of salmon may be caught in their natural environments. However, the number of wild salmon is very low on the Atlantic side of the river, which has resulted in restrictions being placed on commercial fishing for these delectable creatures. This indicates that the majority of the salmon you’ll encounter on the Atlantic side came from an aquaculture.

Differences Between Wild Caught and Farm-Raised Salmon

Even though some of the salmon that ends up on your plate was caught in their natural environments such as rivers, lakes, and oceans, the truth of the matter is that there isn’t a very large percentage of wild-caught salmon available on the market. Most of the salmon that is sold comes from farmed sources. The vast majority of the salmon that we consume comes from fish farms, where aquaculture techniques are used to raise salmon and other fish specifically for human use.

The question of whether salmon that has been taken in the wild is superior than salmon that has been raised in fish farms has been discussed for some time now, and the short answer is that wild-caught salmon is superior. The salmon that is taken in the wild is of far higher quality than the salmon that is raised in fish farms; nonetheless, there are a lot of reasons why we need to have both options available. The two varieties of salmon may be differentiated from one another in the following ways:

Nutritional Value

Salmon that have been taken in the wild spend their whole lives in the wild, which means that they consume whatever food is available in their habitat. For pink salmon, this means feeding on shrimp, whereas red salmon consume krill. On the other hand, salmon raised in captivity are fed manufactured fish food, which may include a broad range of chemicals that fundamentally alter the fish’s nutritional content and value. This results in a lower nutrient density in the farmed salmon.

For instance, compared to wild salmon, farmed salmon often contain a greater concentration of fat, a slightly higher level of omega-3 fatty acids, a little higher level of omega-6 fatty acids, and around three times the amount of saturated fat. On the other side, wild salmon has a greater quantity of nutrients like potassium, iron, and zinc than farmed salmon does.

Polyunsaturated Fat Content

We are all familiar with the positive attributes that are associated with omega-3 fatty acids (good for your heart and overall health). It’s also likely that we’ve been informed about the need of omega-6 fatty acids (lowering bad LDL and good for your skin). All of these types of fat found in salmon are polyunsaturated, and they are some of the primary reasons why consuming this fish is such a healthy treat.

The issue is that you need to take these polyunsaturated fats in the appropriate proportions in order to get the desired effects. The delicate balance that exists between these two acids may be thrown off if a person consumes an excessive amount of omega 6 fatty acids, which is something that most people do when they consume farmed salmon.

You run the risk of experiencing elevated inflammation, which the vast majority of experts consider to be one of the primary causes for the high incidence of chronic illnesses such as heart disease in today’s society.

Farmed Salmon Tends To Be Higher In Contaminants

The food that fish eat and the water they swim in are two of the primary sources of dangerous toxins that they take into their bodies. The fact that farmed salmon are raised in an environment where there are things like processed meals in the water, chlorinated insecticides, and dioxins polychlorinated biphenyls is the primary reason why they tend to have a higher level of pollutants in their bodies than wild salmon.

Farmed Fish May Contain Antibiotics

Salmon that are farmed often live in ponds that contain a greater number of fish than those that are caught in the wild, which makes farmed salmon somewhat more prone to contracting illnesses than their wild counterparts. As a direct consequence of this, farmers provide increased doses of antibiotics to salmon raised in captivity in order to combat these diseases.

Antibiotics are ingested by fish, and the salmon you eat may contain tiny levels of antibiotics, which may trigger allergic responses in certain individuals.

Why Buy Canned Salmon?

You might be excused for questioning why, with all the fishing you do, you would ever want to purchase canned salmon. Is it even close to the genuine thing in terms of quality? The following is a summary of numerous very solid reasons why you should make it a point to include the finest canned salmon on your shopping list:

• It’s as good as fresh salmon: Although there are very few things that can compare to the genuine thing in terms of flavor and freshness, there is really no difference between fresh salmon and canned salmon when it comes to the amount of nutrients they contain. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), both contain about the same amount of omega-3, a beneficial fatty acid that is great for your general health and may reduce your chance of developing certain ailments such as cardiovascular disease.
• It can last a very long time: The fact that canned salmon may keep for a very long time is one of the finest arguments in favor of your making the decision to purchase and consume it on a regular basis. Canned salmon has an impressively long shelf life if it is kept unopened and stored in a closet at room temperature for the whole duration. However, after it has been opened, it may be kept for about three to four days if it is stored in a container that does not allow air to enter and is kept in the refrigerator.
• It’s a good way to get a steady supply of salmon: If you are concerned about the changing of the seasons, then eating canned salmon is an excellent approach to protect yourself against the effects of that phenomenon. Fresh wild salmon is only available at certain times of the year, which is something that most people are unaware of. If you want fresh wild salmon, the kind of fish that has firm flesh and that rich flavor, your best bet is to go shopping or fishing during the late spring through the early fall months. While it may appear as though you can always find salmon whenever you want it, this is not the case. If you want fresh wild salmon, the kind of fish that has firm flesh and that rich flavor, this is the fish you want. When you choose canned salmon, on the other hand, you don’t need to be concerned about these things at all.

Other benefits include the ability to transform canned salmon into a variety of exquisite recipes, the ability to take it camping or on a long road trip without fear of spoilage, and the fact that it is inexpensive.

How to Choose the Best Canned Salmon

When it comes to selecting the finest canned salmon, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind, including the following:

• Salmon that has been fished in the wild is superior than salmon that has been farmed.
• What is the real quantity of salmon included in the can? (some unscrupulous manufacturers put in more bone and skin than actual meat)
• Can you tell me what sort of additives and preservatives are in the tin?

There are, of course, other considerations to take into account, such as the cost and the color of the salmon that best suits your tastes (red or pink).

Selecting the very finest canned salmon is an excellent approach to make certain that you will never be without a delectable snack when you are in a need for one. People who like the wonderful flavor of Alaskan salmon that has been captured by wild fishers will find that the selections presented here make for outstanding choices.

FAQs

What type of canned salmon is best?

There are a variety of nutritional options available in canned salmon, including pink, chum, coho, and red sockeye. If you want the most amount of calcium, choose canned salmon that still contains the bones. Look for variants that have less sodium (or salt). Check out our post on how to read labels so that you may make the most informed decision possible.

Which is better pink or red canned salmon?

The flavor of red salmon is more robust, and the meal it produces is more substantial while having a higher fat content. The taste of pink salmon is regarded to be more subtle, and its patties tend to be more tender. Because of these variations in freshness, safety, flavor, and texture, individuals tend to acquire a preference for one of the fish over the other. This preference might last for years.

Is canned salmon good for you?

When compared to fresh fish, canned varieties of salmon, tuna, sardines, kippered herring, and other forms of fish are on par with their fresh counterparts. They provide you with the same amount, and often even more, of the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids that fresh fish does. These essential oils are helpful in warding off potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

What brand of salmon is healthiest?

According to Mary Mosquera-Cochran, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, wild-caught chinook salmon, sometimes known as “king salmon,” has the greatest omega-3 fat content of any species that is commercially accessible. This fatty quality gives the fish heart-healthy advantages as well as a flavor that is moist and buttery.

Is canned salmon better than tuna?

Even though they’re equally nutrient-dense, salmon comes out on top because of the healthful omega-3 fats and vitamin D that it contains. Tuna, on the other hand, is the clear victor in terms of providing a greater quantity of protein while consuming a lower number of calories per serving.

Why is canned red salmon more expensive?

Why does red salmon cost much more than pink salmon? The amount of supply and demand causes red salmon to be much more costly than pink salmon. In addition, individuals are prepared to pay a higher price for salmon whose flesh has a color that is closer to a reddish hue.

Is Bumble Bee canned salmon healthy?

This nutritious item has a total of 470 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids and each serving delivers 13 grams of protein for consumption. Most significantly, it does not include any preservatives, which means that you may consume Bumble Bee Pink Salmon with complete peace of mind.