15 Canned Salmon Recipes That'll Save You So Much Time (And Money!) (2024)

15 Canned Salmon Recipes That'll Save You So Much Time (And Money!) (1)

If you haven't experimented with canned salmon yet, your world is about to be rocked. These recipes are WAY easier than cooking a salmon filet—and much cheaper to shop for. You can use it like you would canned tuna: in healthy dinner salads, weeknight pasta dinners, as a burger base, or as a substitute for raw fish in sushi bowls. Check out our top 15 canned salmon recipes for ideas—we bet you’ll pick up a can or two on your next grocery trip.

While canned salmon is inarguably more convenient and affordable than its fresh counterpart, there are still some things to look out for. Most canned salmon consists of two types: farmed (usually Atlantic salmon) or wild salmon (Wild Alaskan is the best). Wild salmon has a better overall rating (no antibiotics added to their feed, more environmentally sustainable, less mercury etc.), but it can be more expensive. We think it’s worth the added price (considering how much you’re saving from not buying fresh!), but it’s something to keep in mind when you’re shopping. You’ll also encounter a variety of terms, like pink versus sockeye, skinless and boneless versus not, packed in water or oil, smoked, etc. It’s really up to your preferences which you prefer, so give them a try in these recipes to figure out your favorites.

You can pretty much use canned salmon anywhere you’d use cooked salmon, though admittedly it works better in recipes where the salmon is flaked rather than enjoyed whole. Treat it like tuna, and make a tuna salad with salmon (or add cheese, à la a tuna melt?). Not into mayo? Skip it, and put your canned tuna atop a rice bowl (or inside rice, like in onigiri!) or salad, like our Niçoise salad or salmon BLT salad. Want something heartier? Turn it into a burger, like our lemon-dill salmon burgers or Greek salmon burgers, or stir it into some pasta for added protein, like in our smoked salmon pasta or our lemon butter salmon pasta. Looking for an easy appetizer? Try it in our salmon patties, croquettes, or meatballs, or as a dip, like in our smoked salmon dip. The possibilities are endless, so get creative!

Not into the whole canned thing? Check out our favorite salmon recipes and healthy seafood recipes too.

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1

Lemon-Dill Salmon Burgers

15 Canned Salmon Recipes That'll Save You So Much Time (And Money!) (3)

The secret to this burger is using canned salmon. Now's the perfect chance to overhaul the bad reputation canned foods have and prove to y'all just how good canned fish can be! Not only is it fast and convenient, you also don't have to worry about the fish bones: the canning process makes them as soft and safe to eat as the fish filet itself.

Get the Lemon-Dill Salmon Burgers recipe.

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2

Onigiri

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If you love rice, onigiri is a must-try: a humble rice ball accented by a variety of fillings, wrapped in roasted seaweed (nori), and perfect for snacking or a light meal. We give three different filling options here, including miso salmon (made with canned salmon!).

Get the Onigiri recipe.

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3

Salmon Patties

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In this recipe, we’ve taken our salmon patties to France with dill and Dijon mustard, but if you want to have some fun, you can try out some other international flavor profiles. Leave in the scallions and add some finely chopped garlic and ginger, and a teaspoon of soy sauce for an Asian flavor profile. Or go Middle Eastern and “falafel” them by adding fresh cilantro and a half a teaspoon of cumin.

Get the Salmon Patties recipe.

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4

Tuna Salad

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We know, we know, they're not the same, but trust us, it works—you CAN elevate your average lunch tuna sandwich with canned salmon!

Get the Tuna Salad recipe.

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5

Smoked Salmon Pasta

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Smoked salmon pasta sounds really fancy, but the truth is, it's one of the easiest and fastest pastas we've ever made. It comes together in just under 30 minutes making it the perfect dish to whip up for a weeknight seafood dinner, but still good enough to impress your guests for holidays and celebrations.

Get the Smoked Salmon Pasta recipe.

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6

Niçoise Salad

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Since no two Niçoise salads are exactly alike, we figured we could swap out canned salmon for traditional tuna! Add it to fresh, crunchy cucumbers, tender boiled potatoes and green beans, briny black olives and capers, jammy boiled eggs, and a punch of salty umami a la anchovy fillets, a mustard-spiked vinaigrette, and you'll have a very satisfying lunch.

Get the Niçoise Salad recipe.

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7

Salmon Chowder

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This salmon chowder is packed with tender, flaky fish, fresh sweet corn kernels, and rings of spicy jalapeño. This chowder can also be prepared with smoked salmon, leftover cooked salmon, or canned salmon—just skip salting the fish if it's already seasoned and add the pieces to reheat with the corn.

Get the Salmon Chowder recipe.

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8

Greek-Inspired Salmon Burgers

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OK, so pureeing a salmon fillet with egg isn’t the sexiest process, but it’s key in helping these patties hold together (and should work with canned salmon too!). You'll be so glad you did when you're eating this light, flavorful salmon burger sandwiched in fluffy pita.

Get the Greek-Inspired Salmon Burgers recipe.

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9

Greek Salmon Salad

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Using leftover salmon (packed in oil for extra flavor), this dish comes together FAST. All you need to do is chop your veggies and whisk together the tahini-Greek yogurt dressing, and you'll be good to go.

Get the Greek Salmon Salad recipe.

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10

Lemon-Butter Salmon Pasta

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We crave pasta most nights—that's just a given—but when we need our buttered noodles to turn into something a little more substantial, we add baked salmon and a delicious lemon-butter cream sauce. Try using canned salmon to make this come together even faster!

Get the Lemon-Butter Salmon Pasta recipe.

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11

Salmon Croquettes

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The word croquette certainly has French origins, but we’ve taken these a distinctly Southern direction by using hot sauce and Cajun seasoning. We've used both panko breadcrumbs and flour to guarantee these don't fall apart, so you can fry without worry.

Get the Salmon Croquettes recipe.

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12

Salmon Meatballs With Avocado Crema

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As much as we love baked salmon, every now and then we need to shake things up. Enter: salmon meatballs. With AVOCADO CREMA. The idea of processing the filets might seem a little weird at first, but we can assure you it's actually quite delish in the end.

Get the Salmon Meatballs With Avocado Crema recipe.

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13

BLT Salmon Salad

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This BLT-inspired salad is SO flavorful and satisfying you'll forget it's a big bowl of lettuce. The combination of salmon (canned works too!), bacon, and avocado is unbelievable and the homemade creamy dressing takes it over the top.

Get the BLT Salmon salad recipe.

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14

TikTok Salmon Rice Bowl

15 Canned Salmon Recipes That'll Save You So Much Time (And Money!) (29)

We love toppings and the the customization options here are basically endless. You could do a buffalo version, a wasabi version, or you could try our kimchi and avocado twist.

Get the TikTok Salmon Rice Bowl recipe.

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15

Smoked Salmon Dip

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For those of you who wouldn't dream of a bagel without smoked salmon or lox (my people!) this dip is for you. Turns out, it's as delicious on crackers and crudités as it is on a bagel. Try it with smoked salmon for a more affordable option too.

Get the Smoked Salmon Dip recipe.

15 Canned Salmon Recipes That'll Save You So Much Time (And Money!) (2024)

FAQs

Which is better for you canned tuna or canned salmon? ›

Salmon comes out on top nearly everywhere else. Canned salmon contains a bit more vitamin B12 and a whopping 14 times more vitamin D than canned tuna does.

Should you rinse canned salmon? ›

You can even rinse the meat to dilute the fish smell if you don't like it. This smell may be stronger in lower-quality brands of canned salmon. What's great is that draining and rinsing have little impact on the nutritional value, so you're still getting those vital nutrients.

Is it healthy to eat canned salmon? ›

Canned salmon is every bit as nutritious as fresh salmon. Canned salmon contains a variety of key nutrients, including protein, calcium, vitamins B & D, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats promote healthy brain development in babies and support similar things in adults.

Do you drain canned salmon before cooking? ›

While canned salmon is lauded for its rich texture and subtle sweetness, the liquid in the package may have a fish-forward scent that not everyone enjoys. Fortunately, draining and rinsing the fish reduces this scent, allowing you to focus on the sheer deliciousness of the salmon.

Which is better red or pink canned salmon? ›

When tasters state a bias, they generally insist that red is best. We at Pure Alaska speculate that this preference was established in the days before boat refrigeration, when reds held up in the hatches of fishing boats far better than the more delicate pinks.

Is it OK to eat canned salmon everyday? ›

It's not dangerous to eat salmon every day for the general population. However, if you do find yourself eating salmon every day, it's even more important to make sure it's sourced responsibly to ensure contaminants are low. Canned salmon is a popular food that's enjoyed by many people around the world.

How many times a week can you eat canned salmon? ›

Still, small amounts of mercury can pose a risk to young children, unborn babies and the babies of nursing mothers, so the recommended servings of even low-mercury canned light tuna and salmon are no more than 2 to 3 servings per week of 3 to 4 ounces for folks who fall into those categories.

What is the white stuff in canned salmon? ›

That white slimy stuff is called albumin, and it's actually just a harmless (albeit pretty gross-looking) protein that solidifies as salmon cooks.

What happens if you don't rinse salmon before cooking? ›

You rinse the salmon.

The USDA cautions: “do not rinse raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. Bacteria in these raw juices can splash and spread to other foods and surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill harmful bacteria.”

What is the liquid in canned salmon? ›

Raw salmon has around 70% water in it and once canned it will have around 50% water content. Since it is sealed prior to being cooked the water extracted by the cooking process has nowhere to go.

Can you eat canned salmon straight from the can? ›

Straight Out of the Can! Just open the can, maybe squeeze on some lemon, and fork on! There is simply not an easier, better protein source than canned Alaska salmon. Finely chop celery, add salmon, whether Redhead (sockeye) or Thinkpink (pink) salmon, squeeze on lemon and put on a dollop of co*cktail sauce.

Should you eat the skin in canned salmon? ›

Skin & bones are left in because there is no waste in canned salmon – the liquid, skin, and bones are all edible and supply important nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus.

What is the healthiest canned fish to eat? ›

The most healthful choices on this list that are available canned include anchovies, Atlantic mackerel, clams, crab, oysters, sardines, shrimp, and trout. Canned seafood brands offer varying levels of testing to ensure lower mercury levels.

Can I eat canned salmon right out of the can? ›

Preparing: Canned fish is ready to be eaten right out of the container! See below for ideas on how to use canned fish, along with recipes. Canned fish is often packed in oil or water, which can be drained depending on recipe directions or preferences. Uses: Canned fish has a variety of uses.

How often should you eat canned salmon? ›

As for how much fish to eat, consuming at least two servings of salmon per week can help you meet your omega-3 fatty acid needs. Salmon is rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and decrease risk factors for disease.

How do you get the fishy taste out of canned salmon? ›

Also, you can marinate the fish in a mixture of lemon juice, vinegar, and water for 30 minutes. This will help to neutralize the fishy taste. Cooking the fish using a cooking method that will not allow the fishy flavor to become pronounced, such as grilling, baking, or steaming can help as well.

Should you eat the skin and bones in canned salmon? ›

Eating the bones in canned salmon isn't just a matter of safety; it's also about nutrition. Salmon bones are a fantastic source of calcium, which, according to Healthline, is a mineral crucial for maintaining strong and healthy bones and teeth and ensuring the proper functioning of the heart, muscles, and nerves.

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