From tarts to fish cakes, this collection includes our best canned salmon recipes.
Canned salmon is a nutritious option to have in the cupboard as it’s rich in protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also very versatile and can be paired with plenty of different ingredients to transform it into a variety of healthy family meals.
You can buy either red or pink tinned salmon for these recipes. Red is more expensive as it’s regarded as more flavourful and contains more fat than pink. If your budget allows, opt for responsibly-sourced wild salmon as opposed to farmed as it’s better for you. Tins of skinless and boneless salmon also cost a bit extra but will save you time in the kitchen.
This roundup includes salmon pasta recipes like our creamy salmon and spinach tagliatelle and broccoli salmon pasta. It also includes salmon fillet recipes too, like Slimming World’s fish pie, in which you can swap 300g of salmon fillets for three 105g cans of salmon instead.
Canned salmon recipes
1. Salmon and parmesan fish cakes
You will need: 400g can salmon
The first of our canned salmon recipes, these easy fish cakes will soon become a family favourite. A great way to introduce salmon into your children's diet.
Get the recipe: Salmon and parmesan fish cakes
2. Salmon, egg and asparagus salad
You will need: 200g can salmon
This salmon, egg and asparagus salad is fresh and light yet surprisingly filling. Perfect for an al fresco lunch.
Get the recipe: Salmon, egg and asparagus salad
3. Creamy salmon and spinach tagliatelle
You will need: 2 x 180g cans salmon
This salmon pasta dish takes just 20 minutes to make and is deliciously creamy yet wholesome.
Get the recipe: Creamy salmon and spinach tagliatelle
4. James Martin’s salmon, thyme and leek tart
You will need: 180g can salmon
Make TV chef James Martin’s tart the centrepiece for lunch. Alternatively, it's a hearty addition to a summer picnic.
Get the recipe: James Martin’s salmon, thyme and leek tart
5. Quick salmon pâté
You will need: 213g can salmon
This easy pâté can be served on crackers for a healthy snack or with lots of salad leaves and crusty bread for something a little more substantial.
Get the recipe: Quick salmon pâté
6. Salmon pasta with creme fraiche
You will need: 1 x 418g or 2 x 213g cans salmon
It only takes only four steps to make this mouthwatering salmon pasta dish.
Get the recipe: Salmon pasta with creme fraiche
7. Slimming World’s fish pie
Substitute: 300g salmon fillets for 3 x 105g cans salmon
A fish pie is an ideal midweek meal. For this recipe, use pink salmon as it's lower in fat.
Get the recipe: Slimming World’s fish pie
8. Superfood salmon salad
Substitute: 200g salmon fillets for 213g can salmon
This healthy, protein-rich salad is packed full of antioxidants. Use skinless, boneless tinned salmon and drain well before adding.
Get the recipe: Superfood salmon salad
9. Salmon and mushroom pancakes
Substitute: 300g salmon fillets for 3 x 105g cans salmon
Another one of our tinned salmon recipes, these savoury pancakes are a winner. Salmon works really well with the umami flavour of mushrooms.
Get the recipe: Salmon and mushroom pancakes
10. Salmon and potato tortilla
Substitute: 140g smoked salmon for ⅔ of a 212g can salmon
Tortillas can be eaten hot or cold so they're a great dish to make in advance for a quick, filling lunch or dinner, or to take on a picnic.
Get the recipe: Salmon and potato tortilla
11. Crustless salmon and potato quiche
Substitute: 200g smoked salmon for 212g can salmon
This crustless quiche is the recipe for you if you're looking for a low-carb lunch. Tinned salmon works just as well as smoked salmon – use the skinless, boneless variety and drain well.
Get the recipe: Crustless salmon and potato quiche
12. Salmon and cream cheese sandwich
Substitute: ⅓ fillet cooked salmon for 105g can salmon
Rustle up a quick sarnie for lunch that's filled with tinned salmon, cream cheese and a handful of green leaves.
Get the recipe: Salmon and cream cheese sandwich
13. Salmon fish cakes
You will need: 213g can salmon
Quick, nutritious and cheap, this fish cake recipe would also work with another tinned fish.
Get the recipe: Salmon fish cakes
14. Spicy salmon and guacamole cones
Substitute: 3 x 125g salmon fillets for 3½ x 105g cans salmon
If you use tinned salmon for this recipe you won't need to bake it – just combine it with the spicy mix.
Get the recipe: Spicy salmon and guacamole cones
15. Salmon fish pie
Substitute: 200g salmon fillets for 212g can salmon
This comforting pie is wonderfully rich and creamy. If there's no salmon in the fridge, don't worry – you can use tinned salmon instead.
Get the recipe: Salmon fish pie
16. Watercress and salmon pasta
Substitute: 4 x 75g salmon fillets for 3 x 105g cans salmon
Watercress and salmon go beautifully together. There's no need to cook the tinned salmon – just stir it through the crème fraiche sauce.
Get the recipe: Watercress and salmon pasta
17. Salmon and mushroom egg fried rice
Substitute: 350g salmon fillets for 2 x 170g cans salmon
Save money on a takeaway by making your own egg fried rice and by using tinned salmon instead of fresh.
Get the recipe: Salmon and mushroom egg fried rice
18. Salmon soufflé
Substitute: 150g cooked salmon for 170g can salmon
This indulgent dinner is both filling and a treat. Serve with a crisp, green salad.
Get the recipe: Salmon soufflé
19. Broccoli and salmon pasta
Substitute: 225g salmon fillets for 2½ 105g cans salmon
The creamy sauce, tender pieces of broccoli and soft flaky salmon work wonders together as you can see in the video above. The salmon fillets in this recipe can easily be substituted for tinned salmon.
Get the recipe: Broccoli and salmon pasta
20. Slimming World’s spicy salmon noodles
Substitute: 300g salmon fillets for 3 x 105g cans salmon
The tangy soy sauce and warming ginger add depth to Slimming World’s noodle dish. If you don't have any hot-smoked salmon, use tinned salmon in its place.
Get the recipe: Slimming World’s spicy salmon noodles
21. Crumpets with salmon and cottage cheese
Substitute: 100g hot-smoked salmon for 105g can salmon
This snack or light lunch can be made with hot-smoked or tinned salmon. If you don't have time to make homemade crumpets, shop-bought ones will do.
Get the recipe: Crumpets with salmon and cottage cheese
22. Slimming World’s salmon, asparagus and potato frittata
Substitute: 4 salmon fillets for 2 x 170g cans salmon
The last of our canned salmon recipes, this nourishing dish only uses a handful of ingredients and the fillets can be replaced with tinned fish if required.
Get the recipe: Slimming World’s salmon, asparagus and potato frittata
How healthy is canned salmon?
Canned salmon is very healthy. Not only is it packed full of Omega-3, which is a nutrient commonly associated with fish, it also benefits from being rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
These nutrients and vitamins combined mean that salmon is a pure superfood as it’s just full to the brim with health-benefiting factors. For example, calcium is predominately needed to maintain healthy bones. Some studies suggest that calcium and vitamin D combined may have other benefits too, including protection against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Omega-3 fatty acids have a list of health benefits ranging from promoting brain health in early pregnancy to fighting age-related mental decline e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease as well as improving eye health, depression, asthma in children, reducing fat in your liver, and many more.
Is canned salmon as healthy as fresh?
Canned salmon is just as healthy as fresh salmon as it's packed with all the nutrients of fresh salmon. It’s cheaper too, which helps if you’re on a budget but still want to get your Omega-3 health kick. It lasts longer than fresh fish and you can store it in the cupboard as opposed to being stored in the fridge like a fillet of salmon for example.
Most canned salmon is wild-caught however make sure you check the tin before purchasing. Opting for wild means the fish are fairly caught with no environmental damage etc.
Can I eat the bones in canned salmon?
Sometimes canned salmon contains tiny bones and these bones can in fact be eaten. The majority of the bones found in canned salmon are soft and can be eaten with the fish without noticing, but if you spot any big bones however do discharge.
Canned salmon bones are actually an excellent source of calcium. Just 85g of canned salmon with bones has 21% of your recommended daily allowance of calcium.
