What Is the Best-canned Salmon?
When looking for the best-canned salmon that offers delicious taste and loads of health to your diet, we selected the Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon. Loaded with lots of calcium and protein, low sodium, and edible skin and bones, this canned salmon is great for a healthy snack or as gourmet food for your family or party guests.
Salmon is a fish you can enjoy in plenty of dishes. And, to make it quicker and easier, canned salmon is a great option.
However, with so many canned salmon products on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one to buy.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best-canned salmon on the market. We took into account factors such as taste, price, and convenience and prepared the buying guide to help you find the best option for your needs.
Moreover, the added comparison table will shorten your time to make a quick decision.
All in all, we’ve got you covered whether you’re looking for a simple pantry staple or something a little more special.
So go through our list to find the best-canned salmon for your next meal.
Quick Comparison: 10 Best Canned Salmon
 | 1. Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon (Best Overall)Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon is perfect for those who are looking for a low sodium option. This canned salmon is also GMO-free and kosher certified. With 11 grams of protein, this is a great option for a quick and healthy meal. | Read Our Review |
 | 2. Wild Planet Wild Pink Salmon (Best Budget)This salmon is a great option for those looking for a fresh, wild-caught fish. It is also sustainably caught, filler free, GMO free, gluten free, and Kosher certified. With 12 grams of protein per 6 ounce serving, this salmon is a perfect addition to any meal. | Read Our Review |
 | 3. The Redhead Wild Sockeye SalmonThe Redhead Wild Sockeye Salmon is a great choice for those who are looking for a healthy, wild-caught salmon. This salmon is from Alaska and is GMO free, gluten free, and kosher certified. This salmon is also a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. | Read Our Review |
 | 4. Wild Planet Wild Sockeye SalmonThis canned salmon is a healthy, sustainable, and delicious option. Sockeye salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids and is caught in the wild and canned. The skinless and boneless salmon is easy to prepare. This product is also free of GMOs, gluten, wheat, and dairy. | Read Our Review |
 | 5. Safe Catch Elite Wild Pink SalmonThis salmon is perfect for those who are looking for a healthy, sustainable, and delicious option. It is wild-caught and skinless, making it a great choice for those who want to avoid GMOs and gluten. Kosher certification means that the salmon is also high-quality. | Read Our Review |
 | 6. Starkist Skinless Boneless Pink SalmonThis salmon is perfect for those who want to enjoy all the benefits of salmon without having to deal with any bones or skin. It's high in protein and low in fat, making it a healthy option for any meal. Plus, it's wild-caught and gluten-free, so you can be sure you're getting the best possible quality. | Read Our Review |
 | 7. Sea Bear Alaskan Canned Smoked SalmonSea Bear Alaskan Canned Smoked Salmon is a high-quality, hand-fileted smoked salmon that is perfect for those who enjoy a milder flavor. This salmon is also an excellent source of protein, providing 14 grams per serving. | Read Our Review |
 | 8. Henry & Lisa’s Natural SeafoodThis is a great option for those looking for a canned salmon that is both traditional in style and kosher certified. This salmon is also made in the USA, ensuring that it is of premium quality. With 12 grams of protein per serving, this canned salmon is sure to be a hit with anyone looking for a nutritious meal option. | Read Our Review |
 | 9. Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Sockeye SalmonKirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is ideal for those who value quality and flavor in their canned salmon. This sockeye salmon was caught wild in Alaska and canned in the United States. It is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids and has a delicious flavor that will make you want to eat more. | Read Our Review |
 | 10. Rubenstein’s Red SalmonThis is a high-quality canned salmon that is best suited for those who want to reap the health benefits of salmon without cooking it. The salmon is wild-caught and sustainably sourced, and the canning process ensures that all of its nutrients are preserved. This salmon is high in protein and has a delicious flavor. | Read Our Review |
Top 10 Canned Salmon Reviews
To find the best-canned salmon, we looked closely at the ratings and reviews of customers and experts to bring you the best information.
From the many different types of salmon we looked at, we eventually limited our list to the following ten canned salmon options based on their health benefits, affordability, and packaging, as well as the location it was caught and packaged.
Best Overall:
1. Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon
What You Will Love: There is no salt added and it is a product of the United States.
Crown Prince Natural Pink Salmon is sustainably caught in the wild of Alaska. Because it is pink salmon, it has a less intense taste than red salmon, making it a great option for anyone who does not want “fishy-tasting” fish and kids.
The bones and skin are left in for extra calcium. This brand is high in Omega-3 fatty acids with low sodium and no salt added.
As with any other good thing, there are bad qualities as well. While the taste is less intense, some have reported that it is actually a bit bland. The texture is a bit firm, too.
Some people may like the texture firmer, but I would like mine to be more pliable, so I suppose this is only a negative if you do not want it firm. Also, depending on your budget, it is a bit pricey.
What We Liked:
- low sodium
- no added salt
- sustainably caught in Alaska
- product of the U.S.
- high in Omega-3 fatty acids and calcium
- no intense taste
What We Didn’t Like:
- taste may be bland
- firm texture
- somewhat high price
Best Budget Pick:
2. Wild Planet Wild Pink Salmon
What You Will Love: It is packaged in its natural juices instead of water, it has a mild flavor, and has a delicate texture.
This Wild Planet pink salmon is boneless skinless canned salmon with a mild flavor for those who do not enjoy an intense fish taste- like my children.
If it tastes too much like fish, they will not eat it. If your kids are picky, this salmon would be easy to slide past them into a recipe or snack.
It is gluten-free, sustainably caught, and is a product of the United States. It is canned fresh and has lower oil and fat than sockeye salmon.
It has a very soft texture and is packaged in its own juices. It is also more budget friendly than most other options considering its advantages.
Some people have claimed it to be salty and dry, but this may due to them being used to another brand.
As always, the best judge of the food you eat will always be you, so try it yourself to determine if it is too salty or dry for you.
What We Liked:
- lower oil and fat content
- soft texture
- gluten-free
- packaged in natural juices
- product of America
- canned fresh
- mild flavor- mild enough to sneak it into a kids’ meal without them noticing
- the price is very reasonable
What We Didn’t Like:
- might be too salty and dry
The Best Canned Bone-In Sockeye Salmon:
3. The Redhead Wild Sockeye Salmon
What You Will Love: It is a deep red color with an intense flavor.
If you enjoy for your fish to taste like fish, this sockeye salmon is likely to please. It is a product of the United States straight from the icy waters of Alaska. It is sustainably caught in the wild and packaged fresh.
It is a deep red and orange color with an earthy taste. The skin and bones are cooked and left in with the salmon adding extra calcium to it.
Some people state that it is too salty and has a mushy texture, which may or may not be an issue for you.
Also, it is packaged in water meaning that some of the weight stated on the can will not be salmon at all but the water adding weight to it.
What We Liked:
- the intense flavor for those who enjoy intensity
- product of the U.S.
- deep red color
- sustainably caught in the wild
- has an earthy taste
- bone-in for extra calcium
What We Didn’t Like:
- may be too salty
- packaged in water affecting the amount of salmon you get
- texture may be too mushy for some
- flavor may be too intense for some
The Best Skinless Boneless Canned Sockeye Salmon:
4. Wild Planet Wild Sockeye Salmon
What You Will Love: It is non-GMO verified, retains its natural juices and nutrients, and there are no added preservatives.
This Wild Planet Wild Sockeye Salmon is a skinless boneless canned salmon that is cooked only once so it will retain all of its natural juices and nutrients.
It has been verified as non-GMO so you should have no worries in that regard because it is as fresh and natural as it can be.
It is sustainably caught in the wild in Alaska and packed with no added preservatives.
Without the skin and bones in the mix, the amount of calcium you take in decreases. Though it is a bit pricey, it is worth the price.
The biggest downside is that it has a strong odor, so when you open the can, the odor will fill a room.
In other words, this is not one you can sneak into your kid’s meal or snack. They will figure it out quickly. Also, you may want to be considerate about taking it to work.
What We Liked:
- sustainably caught
- non-GMO verified
- no added preservatives
- cooked only once
- boneless and skinless for those wanting salmon without them
What We Didn’t Like:
- somewhat pricey
- very strong odor
- lack of bones decreases calcium intake
The Best Canned Pink Salmon With the Lowest Mercury:
5. Safe Catch Elite Wild Pink Salmon
What You Will Love: It has the lowest mercury levels and is tested for that mercury very often.
The Safe Catch Elite Wild Pink Canned Salmon is boneless and skinless. It is cooked only once so that it retains its natural nutrients and juices. It is also sustainably caught and a reasonable price.
There is one huge downside to this salmon: it is not a product of America. It is actually packaged in Thailand according to the fine print on the label.
As the U.S. government does not regulate Thailand’s processes, the general public does not know if food packaged there is safe. It is already a concern that this salmon is no longer fresh by the time it reaches Thailand.
Add to that the fact that we do not fully see what happens when food is packaged there and it could lead to a dangerous and poisonous situation.
While I have no concern purchasing products from other countries, I am not sure I would feel safe feeding my children something so risky.
What We Liked:
- cooked only once to retain nutrients
- sustainably caught
- reasonable price
- skinless and boneless for those who like it that way
What We Didn’t Like:
- the low price comes with a risk to health since this salmon is not packaged fresh or in the United States
The Best Canned Pink Salmon:
6. Starkist Skinless Boneless Pink Salmon
What You Will Love: The Starkist name is well-known and the price is a very good deal.
Starkist Skinless Boneless Pink Salmon is caught in the wild and a product of the United States. With the Starkist brand being around for so long and being so easily seen in your local grocery store, it is much easier to trust them with an online order.
It is cooked in its own juices meaning it retains a little more of its flavor. With 18 grams of protein and only 100 calories per can, this salmon is great for health and diets.
It is also full of Omega-3 fatty acids. It is extremely affordable for any budget.
The only downside I can find is that it is packaged in water. Though the cans state there is around five ounces, when the water is drained that amount decreases by 30%- 40%.
What We Liked:
- well known brand
- great price
- full of Omega- fatty acids and protein
- only 100 calories per can
- cooked in its own juices
- sustainably caught
- product of the United States
What We Didn’t Like:
- packaged in water
- weight stated on can is not only the weight of the salmon but of the water too
The Best Canned Smoked Salmon:
7. Sea Bear Alaskan Canned Smoked Salmon
What You Will Love: This salmon is smoked on alder wood for a delicious smell and flavor.
The Sea Bear light pink salmon is sustainably caught and a product of the United States. It is smoked on alder wood giving it a rich, smoky yet mild flavor.
It is often compared to the delicious taste of grilling out with some fish- a favorite taste of many. It is also said to be flaky to the touch.
There are a few cons to this great product. It is packed with salt and sugar. While these items are definitely better than hormones, antibiotics, and preservatives, salt and sugar can cause problems of their own.
The Sea Bear Alaskan Canned Smoked Salmon is pretty pricey but many say it is well worth the cost.
What We Liked:
- sustainably caught in the wild
- product of the U.S.
- smoked on alder wood
- rich yet mild flavor
- flaky to the touch
What We Didn’t Like:
- packed with salt and sugar
- pricey
The Best Canned Alaskan Pink Salmon:
8. Henry & Lisa’s Natural Seafood
What You Will Love: This salmon is hand packed in BPA free cans.
In addition to the already healthy salmon, this company puts in the extra effort to make the packaging itself more healthy. The cans are BPA free and the salmon is packaged in its natural juices and sea salt.
It is sustainably caught and a product of the USA. This premium quality pink salmon is cooked only once so that it will retain its nutrients, and it is rich in Omega 3 oils.
There are no preservatives, hormones, or antibiotics added. The bones and skin are left in the salmon.
I could only find two possible downsides. One is that it may taste a little too salty. The second is that the texture tends to be a bit firm. These may or may not be downsides for you.
What We Liked:
- premium quality salmon
- hand packed in BPA free cans
- sustainably caught
- product of U.S.
- packaged in natural juices
- no preservatives or hormones added
- only cooked once
- includes bones for extra calcium
What We Didn’t Like:
- may be too salty
- firm texture
- sea salt is added- though it is better than regular salt
- it is always better with no additives
The Best Canned Alaskan Sockeye Salmon:
9. Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon
What You Will Love: Kirkland is a well-loved brand that was once found at Costco.
Though Costco took this Kirkland salmon off the shelf, the fans of this brand are still loyally purchasing through other avenues, such as online.
It is ready to serve and has been said to be great for fish tacos. It is sustainably caught and a product of the United States. It has a rich taste and is a deep red color.
There are a couple of downsides. It is packaged in water and salt, meaning the weight will not be accurate and the sodium content is much higher than those without added salt.
It also tends to run on the more expensive side of the spectrum so many people look for a cheaper alternative.
What We Liked:
- well loved brand with loyal customers
- ready to serve
- great on fun meals like fish tacos
- rich taste
- deep red color
- sustainably caught
- product of the USA
What We Didn’t Like:
- packaged in water and salt
- expensive
- inaccurate weight
- high sodium content
The Best Canned Red Salmon:
10. Rubenstein’s Red Salmon
What You Will Love: This red salmon is very affordable and full of flavor and nutrients.
Red salmon can be one of the more expensive types of salmon, but Rubenstein’s offers it at a surprisingly affordable price.
The festive color of Rubenstein’s Red Salmon makes a great addition to meals and party snacks.
The bones have been left in to make it rich in calcium. Additionally, one serving of this great product gives you 1000 mg of Omega 3 fatty acids. It, too, is sustainably caught and a product of the United States.
There are not a lot of negative things to say about Rubenstein’s Canned Red Salmon, but there have been complaints that the cans contain a lot of juice and skin.
For the affordability of this brand, the juice and skin may not bother you.
What We Liked:
- sustainably caught
- very affordable
- very rich in Omega 3s and calcium
- product of the U.S.
- festive color
- very flavorful
- bones left in for extra calcium
What We Didn’t Like:
- reviews of a lot of juice and skin.
How to Choose the Best Canned Salmon
It is the time of year that many people are looking to make changes in their lives and diets.
We all know that drinking more water can be a healthy step, but are you aware of the health benefits of adding fish to your meal plan?
You do not have to learn to cook a whole new meal. You can simply purchase the canned salmon and find fun ways to eat the already cooked food.
If you have been or are considering purchasing canned salmon, whether, in person or online, there are a few things you should consider to choose the best-canned salmon for you.
Country of Origin: Where Does Canned Salmon Come From?
You should always pay attention to the country of origin on a can and stick with those that state American product- meaning one that was caught and canned in the U.S.
While purchasing products from other countries is not necessarily a bad thing, when it comes to food, you have to be careful.
Consider this: our government does not govern food and safety regulations in other countries. This does not necessarily mean other countries are not regulating their food.
It’s just that we do not actually know whether they do or not because our government does not have that information. We also do not know how anyone else’s fish or caught and so on.
Even if the product is caught here then canned in another country, you must consider the fact that your fish went on a long journey to another country to be canned in a way we do not know.
That seems a bit risky. American caught and canned salmon will be more expensive, but this is an area that should be worth the cost.
Skin and Bones
Canned salmon is sold both with skin and bones and without for you to choose.
Before deciding immediately that you want skinless and boneless, consider the benefits: one small can of salmon with skin and bones can give you up to 20% of your daily intake of calcium.
If you are worried about tasting them, know that they are all cooked so they are very easy to eat.
With or without skin and bones is a personal preference, but be sure when shopping for your salmon that you read the label to get the one you choose.
Packaging
Again, pay attention to where the salmon was packaged, but there is something else you need to consider concerning the packaging.
Does it say that it was packaged with water?
If so, understand that probably at least 1/5 of the weight is water. While there is a chance that the packaging will not state that but still have some water, that water may just be juices from the cooked salmon.
Regardless, it is important to factor in the possibility that all of what you pay for may not be salmon, so consider the cost of the canned salmon.
Is the price worth paying if it is packaged with water, which will give you less salmon?
You must also pay attention to any other additives such as hormones or preservatives.
Even salmon packaged with salt may cause problems, especially if your sodium levels are already high. Of course, most canned items will have some type of preservative in them, but it is important to know what that preservative is and choose the healthiest one.
Freshness: Is Canned Salmon as Healthy as Fresh?
As with any meat that you eat, you must make sure it is fresh unless you want to end up with food poisoning. If you are purchasing your canned salmon online, you will not be able to check the “Best By” date until you receive your order.
However, to reduce your risk of receiving spoiled salmon that you have to send back to the company, there are a few steps you can take:
- As mentioned before, it is best to purchase salmon caught and canned in America- this salmon has not had to travel across seas to get to you;
- Look for salmon that was caught in the wild- wild salmon is generally much healthier than farm-raised salmon, especially when it comes to mercury levels; and
- Purchase canned salmon with less sodium.
Texture
Different companies may have different textures for you to choose from such as flaky, shredded, chunks, firm, and more. This is a purely personal choice.
If you do not like firm textures, you have other options. Just be sure you check the description so you get what you want.
Budget
Fresh salmon can get expensive, especially if you eat it a lot. Canned salmon is a good, much cheaper alternative.
However, if you do not pay attention, you may spend more than you can afford on canned salmon.
Before placing an order, consider your budget and find a brand within it.
Canned Salmon Vs Fresh Salmon
Many times when we opt for canned instead of fresh food, we are giving up a lot of the healthy parts. That happens to not be true when it comes to salmon. In fact, in some ways, canned may be a little healthier.
Both canned salmon and fresh salmon have lots of protein and comparable amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids. A study showed that pink and red canned salmon actually have higher amounts of two of those Omega-3s than fresh salmon.
Additionally, canned salmon is more likely to be caught in the wild and contains less mercury.
If those are not enough reasons to make you feel better about switching to or supplementing with canned salmon, there are a few other benefits.
First, canned salmon costs less than fresh salmon, so even cutting down on some of your fresh salmon can help your budget without compromising your health.
Second, canned salmon stays fresher longer. This allows you a lot more freedom as to when you can use the salmon and prevent waste in the case that you cannot cook the fresh salmon fast enough.
Third, it can be easier to work with as the canned salmon is already cooked saving you time in the kitchen.
Canned Salmon VS Canned Tuna VS Canned Mackerel VS Sardines
With so many canned fish options to choose from, you may be wondering what the differences are and which one is the best option.
The next few paragraphs of comparison should help you understand and decide. All four options have both similarities and differences. Canned salmon is quite possibly the best-canned fish available.
It has less toxins than the other choices and, generally, less mercury.
It has the most calcium of any canned fish and there are no added preservatives.
It contains Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. Additionally, it is more sustainable than other fish.
Salmon tend to go back to their birthplace to have their own babies. Therefore, fishery managers can keep up with the amount of salmon available and make sure we do not take too much.
While canned tuna also contains vitamin B12, the amount of calcium in tuna does not compare to the amount in canned salmon. As tuna is bigger than salmon, it is higher up the food chain.
This means that it has eaten many more food types that have more toxins and mercury in its system.
That translates into you ingesting more toxins and mercury from tuna than you do with salmon. Also, tuna is less sustainable and trackable.
Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are all good sources of calcium, though salmon is still at the top in that category.
They also all three are more flavorful and contain higher levels of Omega-3s and vitamin D. Canned mackerel also contains Omega-6 fatty acids, as well, for an added health benefit.
However, mackerel is similar to tuna in that it is much higher up the food chain bringing you more toxins and mercury.
It is known as a big, oily fish, which does not seem healthy at all. And yet, mackerel has been known to lower blood pressure in some men.
While sardines are lower on the food chain bringing you less toxins, they can often vary in the amounts of sodium and cholesterol included, so it is very important to check the label to ensure you are not getting too much of those.
Of these four fish, I, along with many I know, feel the safest and healthiest option is salmon.
Risks of health issues seem to be lower in salmon than in the others. Knowing that you lose nothing by choosing canned over fresh says a lot about the quality of the food itself. It is a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal addition or snack.
It is a great, simple food to feed your kids for lunch or even when you are running too far behind to cook dinner.
It can easily be taken to the office or to school for a healthy and tasty lunch. And just 3.5 oz of canned salmon can deliver a large part of our recommended daily intake of calcium.
Though it can be fun to mix it up and try all of the different canned fish mentioned here, consider making salmon the main one you keep around.
Have fun learning different ways to eat it and serve it to your friends and family. Make it a game with your kids to come up with a variety of canned salmon ideas.
Conclusion
Canned salmon is an excellent way to enjoy this delectable meal and snack. However, with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to select.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best-canned salmon options, and we hope you’ve found yours by now.
In addition, whether you prefer it with or without skin, or if your taste buds crave slate sockeye or pink salmon, every option is available.
If you’re having trouble deciding, we recommend the Starkist Skinless Boneless Pink Salmon, which is high in protein and comes skinless and boneless.
Also, this particular canned salmon comes with every possible safety certification. So, have a can of yours now and enjoy it!
