These Easy Canned Salmon Recipes Taste Gourmet, But Are Affordable
The pantry staple packs in just as much protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fats as fresh fish—and lasts so much longer and costs way less!
Cook from your pantry with these easy canned salmon recipes. Compared to creations made with fresh—or even frozen—fish, recipes for canned salmon are just as nutritious and are often far more affordable. Rich in omega-3s and protein, yet mild in flavor, this pantry staple can act as a blank canvas for any flavor and format you crave. Our best recipes with canned salmon showcase the wide array of ways to showcase canned salmon in fish cakes, comfort food casseroles, lunch wraps, and beyond.
Lemon-Dill Salmon Cakes
Once these lemony, crispy cakes are coated in panko bread crumbs and pan-fried, no one will ever notice they started with canned rather than fresh fish. Mix together plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a pinch of fresh dill for a creamy counterpart for the salmon patties. Try them as a salad with that creamy concoction as the dressing, or serve this salmon cakes recipe with canned seafood as an appetizer using the dill-spiked yogurt as a garnish.
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Mediterranean Salmon Spread
Created as a copycat for the popular seafood spread sold at bagel shops in New York, this Mediterranean recipe has proven to be the hit of every party we serve it at. Although the canned salmon recipe asks for a mere five ingredients, it delivers a big pop of flavor thanks to an unexpected—and unexpectedly delicious—trio. Fresh mint, garlic, and red sweet pepper infuse each bite of the sour cream and salmon mixture. Try it with crackers, crudites, pita wedges, bagel chips, or slathered on mini bagel halves.
Salmon Pot Pie
Hey, we get it: Pot pie can feel like a daunting dish to tackle on a weeknight. But this fast-forward recipe for canned salmon will change your mind; it sure convinced us that savory pies need not be reserved for holidays alone! A canned salmon and veggie filling cooks to bubbly perfection and is casserole-ready in about 10 minutes. Plus, the crust is almost instant since it (our little secret!) comes from the supermarket refrigerator.
Salmon Patties with Parsley Mayo
With a meaty texture and a creamy parsley-mayo topping, these burger look-alikes will convince those who typically swim clear of salmon to catch their omega-3s for the day. The ratio of salmon to bread crumbs help them eat like a real meal—and ensure they pack in 11 grams of protein each. Tuck one inside a bun or between two slices of toasted bread for a seafood sandwich that rivals what you’ll find on a restaurant menu.
Mediterranean Salmon Wrap
Sure, 30-minute meals are good. But we’ll take that offer and trim off 10—and still leave you with a filling and flavorful mid-day meal. This light and refreshing recipe with canned salmon is ideal if you're not keen on seafood salads mixed with mayo. Instead of the creamy condiment, we call for olive oil, lemon juice, and other Mediterranean diet staple ingredients like Kalamata olives and diced red onion.
Salmon-Stuffed Zucchini
Stuffing zucchini is one of the best ways to take the light summer squash and transform it into a meal. If you can find it, try using recipe-ready lemon pepper packets for this canned pink salmon recipe to score an extra burst of citrus flavor. To up the ante, serve this cheesy bread crumb-topped dinner with lemon wedges for squeezing on top.
Tuna or Salmon Salad
Because tuna shouldn’t get all the glory, this budget-friendly salad is our canned salmon recipe riff on that creamy tuna salad you know from childhood sandwiches and diner open-face sandwich melts. Fresh dill and chopped sweet pickles offer a one-two punch that pickle-lovers will adore.
