Three Lush Ways to Savor Tinned Fish at Home

As tinned fish continues to show up on more and more restaurant menus, it’s hard not to wonder: Is the upcharge worth it? Sometimes, yes—perhaps it’s served with excellent bread and nice butter, or housemade chili crisp and pickles, or three different varieties of beautiful salt you’ve never heard of, and that’s all delightful and requires a lot of effort and skill to assemble. The point of the following recipes, though, is that tinned fish can always be delicious, and there are endless easy ways to enjoy it at home that go beyond appetizers and small bites.  

In case you missed it, many compelling ideas and recipes for using tinned fish already exist here. Also, I’m not an expert, but you can find helpful information on choosing tinned fish that you can feel good about here and here. So get your pantry equipped. People might tell you that “fresh is best,” and they’ll most likely be correct, but even when you’re not in a pinch, a can or jar of high quality and responsibly-sourced seafood is capable of taking you and whomever you’re eating alongside to a wonderful place. From roasted potatoes topped with Albacore tuna and warm vinaigrette, to a bright and creamy salad with smoked mackerel and pasta that’s loaded with lemon, peas, and sardines, tinned fish can be spread across a meal that’s got something for everyone.

Butter Lettuce and Cucumber Salad with Smoked Mackerel

Creamy but refreshing, smoky but crisp, this salad checks all the boxes when it comes to both flavor and texture. It’s fast and easy to put together, and it still feels like a special treat to eat with loads of crunch and three different shades of green thanks to avocado, butter lettuce, and Persian cucumbers. If you can’t find labneh for the dressing, whole Greek yogurt (or even sour cream) will do the trick. Save any dressing leftovers to use as a dip or to make more of the same salad—it’s extremely satisfying to return to for lunch or dinner.