By now, the health benefits of salmon are well-known. It features protein, vitamins, and healthy fats, and its rich flavor makes it a reliable favorite—even for people who don’t usually like fish. But, you may wonder, what about canned salmon? Is it as healthy as fresh?
The answer is yes. Canned salmon and fresh salmon may not taste exactly the same, but they’re almost identical from a nutritional standpoint. In fact, it’s actually more nutritious than fresh because it’s higher in calcium when packed with bones. That means you don’t have to pay a premium price to get all the great health benefits.
Health benefits
As we all know, fresh salmon offers a wide range of nutritional benefits. Canned salmon does, too. Just like fresh salmon, it’s a fantastic source of multiple essential nutrients, making it an excellent (and budget-friendly!) addition to any diet. Here are the key benefits:
Build your muscles, skin, and bones with lean protein.
Salmon is an excellent source of lean, complete protein. One 85-gram serving of canned salmon contains 20 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, and 0 grams of saturated fat. Chicken, beef, pork, and other animal proteins typically contain similar levels of protein per serving, but also have more fat—especially saturated fat.
Support your heart with Omega-3 fats.
Nearly all of the fat in canned salmon is unsaturated, and it contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The two main types of omega-3s in salmon are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
Depending on the serving size and the origin of the fish, salmon can contain between 1 and 2 grams of DHA and EPA per serving. That’s a lot of omega-3s: According to the National Institutes for Health (NIH), adults should aim for 1-1.6 grams per day. Eating salmon a few times a week is an easy, delicious way to meet that need.
Keep your bones and immune system strong with Vitamin D.
Canned and fresh salmon both contain high levels of essential vitamins, including B-3 (a.k.a. niacin), B-12, and even Vitamin D. Not many foods are naturally high in Vitamin D—most people get theirs from sun exposure or fortified foods.
The NIH guidelines for adults recommend about 15 micrograms or 600 International Units (IU) of Vitamin D per day. Single 142-gram salmon pouches contain 110% of the recommended daily amounts of Vitamin D.
More calcium than fresh
In some ways, canned salmon is actually more nutritious than fresh fish because it’s higher in calcium. The canning process softens calcium-rich pin bones so thoroughly that you can eat them right along with the meat.
Some canned salmon is skinless and boneless, so if you’re looking for an extra dose of calcium, be sure to choose a variety that includes some bones. One 85-gram serving of canned red or pink salmon contains around 15% of the daily recommended amount of calcium for adults.
How to cook with canned salmon
Canned salmon isn’t just nutritious—it’s also shelf-stable, affordable, and easy to add to a wide variety of meals. With a wide range of canned salmon recipes, ranging from light salads to indulgent mac and cheese, you’re sure to find something delicious to add to your repertoire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canned salmon as healthy as fresh?
Canned salmon and fresh salmon are nearly identical from a nutritional standpoint. While a can of salmon contains more calcium due to the inclusion of edible bone, it can also have a higher sodium content to act as both a preservative and flavor enhancer. Both options provide similar protein levels and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
How often can I eat canned salmon?
While there’s no strict daily limit, the FDA recommends that Americans consume two to three servings of fish per week. All types of salmon—pink, chum, coho, Alaskan, and red sockeye—are rich omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit heart health and more. So, get to your grocery store and enjoy!
Is canned salmon healthier than tuna?
Both types of canned fish are nutritious choices, but they have some differences. Salmon contains slightly more protein, calories, and healthy fats than tuna. Additionally, salmon has lower mercury levels and provides a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids, making it a slightly healthier option overall than canned tuna. However, both can be part of a balanced diet!
Where to Buy
Use our product locator to find the perfect salmon, tuna, crab or other seafood products from Chicken of the Sea.
- Products
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- Wild Caught Light Tuna in Spring Water Packet
- Wild Caught Light Tuna Packet, Lemon Garlic
- Wild Caught Light Tuna Packet, Sweet & Spicy
- Wild Caught Light Tuna Packet, Dill Tuna Salad
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon in Spring Water Packet
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon in Spring Water Packet, Low Sodium
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon Packet, Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon Packet, Lemon Pepper
- Wild Caught Smoked Alaskan Pink Salmon Packet, Maple Smokehouse Flavor
- Wild Caught Smoked Alaskan Pink Salmon Packet, Natural Wood Smoke
- Wild Caught Albacore Tuna in Spring Water Packet
- Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna in Water
- Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 25% Less Sodium
- Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna in Oil
- Wild Caught Solid White Premium Albacore Tuna in Water
- Wild Caught Solid White Premium Albacore Tuna in Oil
- Wild Caught Solid White Premium Albacore Tuna in Water, Low Sodium
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon, Skinless & Boneless
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon, 25% Less Sodium
- Wild Caught Sardines in Water
- Wild Caught Sardines in Olive Oil
- Whole Oysters
- Wild Caught Sardines in Oil, Lightly Smoked
- Imitation Crabmeat in Brine Packet
- Wild Caught Lump Crabmeat
- Wild Caught White Crabmeat
- Smoked Baby Clams in Oil Packet
- Crab Cakes
- Wild Caught Chub Mackerel in Brine
- Wild Caught Chopped Clams
- Whole Baby Clams
- Wild Caught Sardines in Louisiana Hot Sauce Packet
- Wild Caught Sardines in Mustard Sauce
- Wild Caught Mackerel Fillet in Oil Packet
- Wild Caught Mackerel in Oil Packet
- Wild Caught Sardines in Louisiana Hot Sauce
- Wild Caught Solid White Premium Albacore Tuna in Water, No Salt Added
- Perfectly Crisp Shrimp
- Crispy Stuffed Shrimp – Creamy Garlic & Spinach
- Wild Caught Chunk White Albacore Tuna in Water
- Crispy Stuffed Shrimp – Creamy Jalapeno
- Wild Caught Chunk White Albacore Tuna in Water, Low Sodium
- Wild Caught Chunk Yellowfin Tuna in Vegetable Oil
- Infusions Basil Tuna
- Infusions Lemon & Thyme Tuna
- Smoked Oysters in Oil Packet
- Infusions Thai Chili Tuna
- Fancy Smoked Oysters in Oil
- Wild Caught Sardines in Oil with Natural Smoke Flavor Packet
- Infusions Garlic & Herb Tuna
- Infusions Cracked Black Pepper Tuna
- To-Go Cups – Chunk Light Tuna in Water
- Wild Caught Sardines, Mediterranean Style
- Wild Caught Sardines in Lemon Sauce
- Wild Caught Alaskan Pink Salmon, Traditional Style
- Wild Caught Alaskan Sockeye Red Salmon, Traditional Style
- Wild Caught Pink Salmon with Lemon & Chive
- Blue Swimming Crab – Lump
- Blue Swimming Crab – Super Lump
- Blue Swimming Crab – Jumbo Lump
- Blue Swimming Crab – Backfin
- Blue Swimming Crab – Colossal
- Blue Swimming Crab – Claw
- Blue Swimming Crab – Special
- Raw Peeled & Deveined Tail-On Shrimp
- Raw Peeled & Deveined Tail-Off Shrimp
- Raw Shell On, Easy to Peel Shrimp
- Easy Grillers Uncooked Shrimp
- Cooked Peeled & Deveined Tail-On Shrimp
- Cooked Peeled & Deveined Tail-Off Shrimp
- Crispy Stuffed Shrimp – Creamy Wonton
