They also come in four flavor options with spring water, olive oil, mustard and dill sauce, and tomato and basil. Be conscious that the flavored options have a shorter shelf life, so for the greatest long-term value, it’s more economical to add your own flavors. These are no ordinary cans of sardines. Sourced from the Norwegian fjords, and the coastal regions of Norway, the wood-smoked delicate flavor of these sardines make them a favorite for sardine lovers around the world. Tinning is a traditional way of preserving fish. Fish is canned in water or oil and salt, then sealed in an airtight container. Tinning extends the shelf life of fish, and the compact shape of a tin makes it a practical ingredient for transporting.

The Season brand has put their decade-old experience to good use to come up with Sardines in Olive Oil. Their sardines are wild-caught from Morocco and are sustainably harvested. The company focuses on eco-friendly fishing practices. All Ortiz Bonito tuna is individually pole and line caught. Using this selective method helps to avoid unwanted fish being caught and thrown away which is more sustainable in the long run. The ingredient list contains all-natural ingredients like sea salt, water, and aqueous natural smoke. Organic olive oil is the preservation medium. This makes it a wholesome, green food. The fish are delicately meaty and taste fresh.

Fish & Seafood

Distinct smoked flavor without excessive fishiness makes these sardines palatable to all sorts of eaters. They are much larger than King Oscars, and consequently don’t blend as well into recipes. However, you can try them on a melted sandwich, fried up in the oil from the can, as protein for a taco, or enjoy them straight from the can. Take five pilchards (I use the Pilchard Works) out of the tin and pat any excess oil off them. Make a salsa with two spring onions, ½ chilli, 10g coriander, six basil leaves and 20 cherry tomatoes, then season with salt and pepper. Drizzle four slices of sourdough bread with extra-virgin olive oil and chargrill. Spread your salsa on top of the toast, then place the pilchard fillets over the salsa and finish the dish with some chopped coriander and olive oil. If you face this problem, we highly recommend Nuri Spiced Portuguese sardines. They are nothing like typical sardines in sauce or saltwater. They have no fishy smell or taste. Instead, they are flavorful with just the right amount of spice. What makes the best sardines in a can currently available is widely up to the preference of the consumer. We know sardines aren’t for everyone, so in making your selection consider a size and characteristics that live up to your specific needs.

Until it’s opened, tinned fish isn’t a perishable product - you can keep the tin for years and the fish inside will still be delicious and perfectly safe to eat. and delicious. This also makes tinned fish a practical ingredient to take on camping trips or picnics; tins are lightweight and can be easily stored without the need for refrigeration. Founded in 1920, the Nuri brand promises to select only the finest sardines that come off their ships for artisan quality. These are then hand filleted and slowly processed by a small family run operation. Additionally, the waters where these sardines are sourced are some of the most protected waters in the world with no farmed fishing. For over 120 years Conservas Ortiz have produced tinned and jarred tuna and sardines along the Northern coast of Spain. The business is based around a sustainable rod-and-line caught process for their Bonito Tuna and Sardines that’s ‘a la antigua’ (old fashioned). This choice really comes down to preference in taste more than anything else as some people can’t fathom the idea of consuming bones and skin. However, for the brave or the practiced, there are considerable health benefits to be gleaned from eating the bones which are high in calcium. The fish skin is also where much of the omega-3s are found. Intensity For those hesitant about the fishy taste, further masking can be found in the flavored choices. Most of our reviewed brands offer a tomato based or spiced variety that can make sardines more palatable to beginners. However, be aware that these varieties usually have a shorter shelf life. More great canned foodsFounded in 1961 in the Galician town of Ribeira, Spain, the Frinsa Group is a leading manufacturer of canned seafood products Since then, they have been striving to continue manufacturing top quality canned products for their customers to enjoy in the most environmentally friendly way. Frinsa actively collaborate with organisations including the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) to guarantee their selective fishing methods respect the marine environment. We highly recommend this brand if you are looking for sardines with a gourmet touch. Although they are expensive when compared to other brands, they are worth their price. Not only do they taste delicious as such, but they can also be used to flavor pasta, rice, and salads.

Try Ortiz today and experience the quality, flavor, and tradition of this premium tinned fish company. Show more The smaller options are more accessible to those newer to sardines but who don’t mind the textural qualities of bones and skin. For the smaller sized fish, King Oscar canned sardines offer the most flavor, and pieces per can. This manual attention to detail is one of many reasons quality tins of fish are more expensive. “It is a much cheaper process to fillet the fish by machine, but it will break up into smaller pieces,” says Gracias. “It is also cheaper to just cook the fish in the tin, but the tin will [negatively] affect the flavour. Our producers steam, bake or cook the fish over charcoal first, to enhance the taste, before placing it in the can and heating it gently to seal it.” If you are keen on sustainable food decisions, Wild Planet sardines are a good choice. The company is famous for its sustainable initiatives. It is committed to delivering eco-friendly organic products.Fish4Ever are a brand established in 2000 who pioneer in sustainability. They are described by Greenpeace as a “world leader in sustainable and equitably sourced tuna”. Using boats owned and ran by fishers deeply embedded in their local communities and using only the most targeted methods to avoid by-catch (fish caught unintentionally) and any damage to the wider environment.

Charles Basset tuna is both versatile and healthy, and uses top quality Spanish olive oil that can also be used as part of your dish.Their vast experience and knowledge has allowed Frinsa to continue to provide healthy, innovative and top quality products to their customers, while maintaining and supporting their values. Fish4Ever founder Charles Redfern, was an expert witness at parliament in 2019 for the special commission on the marine environment. Over the years Charles has worked on numerous initiatives with experts in the marine sphere, including the Soil Association, the New Economic Foundation, the Environmental Justice Foundation, and many more. Hot chili pepper, garlic, cucumber extract, and carrot add extra flavor to the fish and make it tasty. However, the flavors are light and not overpowering. Enjoy them with cream cheese or toast for the best results. You can also toss them in a salad or add them to a sandwich. The larger size also means there are two to five sardines per can, which is quite a lot less than King Oscars brand. The mild flavor and firm texture also make the experience of a larger sardine more approachable, but we did find the size a bit daunting at first glance.