I Tried All 15 Fishwife Tins — And the Clear Winner Tastes Even More Delicious Than Fresh Salmon

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Credit: Vicky Wasik

Much like the ocean itself, the world of tinned fish is vast, deep, and filled with hidden treasures. It’s a global staple that spans centuries and cultures, and you’ll find all kinds of varieties and flavors on shelves right now. Over the past five years, one colorful brand has taken over Instagram feeds and pantries.

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Launched in 2020 by cofounder Becca Millstein, Fishwife makes high-quality, sustainably sourced, and stylishly packaged tinned tuna (naturally), salmon, anchovies, mackerel, and more. In fact, the brand has grown to more than a dozen tins (not including limited-edition drops and collabs). It’s a sea of options!

Credit: Vicky Wasik

If you’re new to Fishwife or curious about a particular variety, I tried all 15 tins available at the time of this testing. Very quickly into the taste test, I realized there really isn’t a bad tin in the bunch, which is why I ranked them from good to “buy this in bulk ASAP.”

Credit: Vicky Wasik

15. Albacore Tuna with Spanish Lemon

Bright and citrusy, this tinned tuna features tons of fresh, bright lemon that cuts through the richness of the fish. I really enjoyed eating it on a slice of sourdough toast with a smear of butter. The lemon gives it a slightly bitter flavor, but the extra butter helped cut through it.

Buy: Albacore Tuna with Spanish Lemon, $32 for 3 (3.2-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

14. Smoked Salmon with Sweet & Spicy Zhong

The salmon was named best tinned fish in The Kitchn Grocery Essentials. Created in collaboration with Fly By Jing, the tender and flaky salmon is coated in a Sweet + Spicy Zhong sauce. I’d say that this tin is on the saltier side (salt from salmon plus salt from sauce) which makes it a bit overwhelming, but once it’s mixed with rice to absorb all that sauce, it’s golden. The zhong sauce is sweet and spicy, with a bit of garlic that makes it taste like an entire meal in itself.

Buy: Albacore Tuna in Olive Oil, $32 for 3 (3.2-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

13. Sardines with Hot Pepper

I’m a fan of sardines and don’t mind when they’re fishy, but also enjoy when a tin prioritizes a firm meaty texture and bold flavor. Here, the heat builds gradually, giving each bite a satisfying kick without overpowering the fish.

Buy: Sardines with Hot Pepper, $28 for 3 (4.2-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

12. Albacore Tuna in Olive Oil

I love tuna, and this is a classic, high-quality can. It’s lean, flaky, and mild and takes on a nice nutty flavor from that olive oil that lets the fish really shine. I used it to make the dreamiest tuna salad.

Buy: Albacore Tuna in Olive Oil, $32 for 3 (3.2-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

11. Cantabrian Anchovies in Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

I typically eat anchovies as an ingredient rather than the main event, but these were so rich, buttery, and deeply salty that I ate nearly the entire can with crackers. I’d describe them as melt-in-your-mouth, and I will be buying more for topping pizzas, sandwiches, and, of course, to make Caesar dressing.

Buy: Cantabrian Anchovies in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $27 for 3 (1.7-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

10. Fishwife Caviar

This caviar is a newer addition to Fishwife and features briny, buttery pearls that are delicious straight from the tin (with the fancy pearl spoon it comes with) or layered on a potato chip (with a bit of crème fraîche). It’s luxurious, and perfect for a special occasion.

Buy: Fishwife California White Sturgeon Caviar, $110 for 1 ounce at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

9. Albacore Tuna in Spicy Olive Oil

Another classic tuna, but with a kick of heat from a bit of cayenne and white pepper that gives it a bit more body and is (really) great in a tuna rice bowl. Because I’m a fan of heat, I placed it slightly higher than the O.G. tuna.

Buy: Albacore Tuna in Spicy Olive Oil, $32 for 3 (3.2-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

8. Slow Smoked Mackerel with Chili Flakes

I love the firmness of a mackerel fillet, and this one is meaty. The rich, deeply smoky flavor only adds to the full-bodied, delicious eating experience. Plus, bits of chili flake give it a very complementary touch of heat.

Buy: Slow Smoked Mackerel with Chili Flakes, $32 for 3 (3.7-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

7. Smoked Rainbow Trout with Red Chimichurri

This bright and herbaceous tin is covered in a red chimichurri sauce that’s made with grilled red pepper, fresh herbs, savory garlic, and a bright splash of vinegar. It adds a delightful contrast to the rich, smoky trout.

Buy: Smoked Rainbow Trout with Red Chimichurri, $32 for 3 (3.2-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

6. Smoked Salmon

This is one of Fishwife’s flagship tins, and for good reason. It’s a classic done right. The fish is rich, salty, and has a touch of sweetness that works as well on bagels as it does in salads.

Buy: Smoked Salmon, $33 for 3 (3.7-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

5. Smoked Salmon with Fly By Jing Chili Crisp

Bold with a capital B. This smoked salmon is a punchy upgrade for anyone looking for more intensity from a tinned fish, or just looking for a ready-to-eat protein rather than an ingredient. It’s got crunch, spice, and deep umami from the chili crisp.

Buy: Albacore Tuna in Olive Oil, $32 for 3 (3.2-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

4. Mussels with Basil Pesto

Bright and herbaceous, these perfectly-firm mussels are sauced in a fragrant (and slightly oily) basil pesto that adds a silky richness without overwhelming the brininess. Each bite is surprisingly light for something so flavorful. I whisked some of the leftover sauce with mayonnaise for an extra-delicious salad dressing later that day.

Buy: Mussels with Basil Pesto, $32 for 3 (4.2-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

3. Smoked Rainbow Trout

Light, flaky, and delicately smoky, this is an easy top-three favorite for me. Its mild profile makes it approachable for almost any palate. It’s got an almost smoky, meaty flavor that is really excellent on sandwiches.

Buy: Smoked Rainbow Trout, $34 for 3 (3.7-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

2. Albacore Tuna with Soy Ginger

Fishwife launched this tin earlier this year, and out of all the tunas it’s by-far the best. It’s lightly savory and sweet from the soy-ginger dressing and even has a kick of umami. I ate it over the counter with seaweed snacks and rice, and it felt like a deconstructed sushi roll.

Buy: Albacore Tuna with Soy Ginger, $32 for 3 (3.2-ounce) cans at Fishwife

Credit: Vicky Wasik

1. Gold Label Smoked Salmon

WOW. This Gold Label Smoked Salmon is the most delicious salmon that I’ve ever had (yes, including the fresh stuff at fancy restaurants). It’s extra rich and luxurious with a slight sweetness that cuts the saltiness. I wanted to add it to a salad, eat it over rice, or make a sandwich, but I ate it all from the tin because it was just so good.

Buy: Gold Label Smoked Salmon, $32 for 3 (3.2-ounce cans) at Fishwife

What’s your favorite Fishwife tin? Tell us about it in the comments.

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