I think you’ll all agree with me when I say that we all have our own lazy moments where we just want to sit back and open a can of sardines for a lazy meal.
In this product review and buying guide of the best canned sardines, we’re going to help you in choosing the best canned sardines for you to enjoy!
What are Canned Sardines?
Canned Sardines are a type of fish that is canned and sold in stores. They are a popular item for people who want to eat healthy, as they are a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Sardines are also low in mercury, making them a safe choice for people who are concerned about mercury contamination.
Canned sardines come in different varieties, such as olive oil, tomato sauce, and water-packed. They can be eaten alone or used in recipes. Canned sardines are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.
If you are looking for a healthy, protein-packed snack, canned sardines are a great option. They are also affordable and easy to find in most grocery stores. Give them a try the next time you are looking for a quick and healthy snack!
Best Canned Sardines Comparison 2024
| No | Name | Image | Best For | Detail |
| 1 | King Oscar Sardines Extra Virgin Olive Oil |  | Best for fast healthy meal | |
| 2 | Crown Prince Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil |  | Best for Runner Up | |
| 3 | Season Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Oil |  | Best for budget | |
| 4 | Matiz Sardines in Olive Oil |  | Best for natural bold flavors | |
| 5 | Bumble Bee Premium Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil |  | Best for high quality |
- Best for fast healthy meal: King Oscar Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Best for Runner Up: Crown Prince Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil
- Best for budget: Season Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Oil
- Best for natural bold flavors: Matiz España Sardines in Olive Oil
- Best for high quality: Bumble Bee Boneless and Skinless Sardines in Olive Oil
Best Canned Sardines Reviews 2024
Best Overall- King Oscar Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Brand: King Oscar
- Weight: 2.82 Pounds
- Protein: 14 Grams
- Specialty: Gluten Free, Low Carb
- Allergen Information: Fish
The King Oscar Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil are canned sardines made of wild caught brislings, submerged in extra virgin olive oil. King Oscar claims that the sardines are wood-smoked and hand-packed to ensure its quality.
These canned sardines are excellent in sandwiches, as we’ve already tried, but it doesn’t stop there. It comes with added salt, but King Oscar did a great job in making sure that it doesn’t taste too salty.
The extra virgin olive oil used also isn’t something that you can completely ignore. It adds an enticing aroma to the sardines, and we’d like to think that it’s partly responsible for making them so soft.
The sardines are neatly packed with the heads removed, double-layered, unlike other canned sardines we’ve seen where the sardines look like they’ve just been stuffed in the can carelessly.
King Oscar uses recyclable cans with easy-open pull rings that add to the convenience of being able to eat canned sardines.
The quality of the brislings is undeniable! King Oscar claims that they’re sustainably sourced, non-GMO, gluten-free, and low carb, which makes them an excellent meal for anyone!
The King Oscar Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil could just be one of the healthiest canned sardines you can buy at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Made of wild-caught, high-quality brislings
- Submerged in healthy extra virgin olive oil
- Recyclable aluminum can with easy-open pull rings for maximum convenience
- Wood-smoked and hand-packed to ensure quality.
Cons
- No noticeable drawbacks.
Crown Prince Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil – Author’s Choice
- Brand: Crown Prince
- Weight: 3.9 Pounds
- Protein: 26 Grams
- Specialty: Wild Caught, GMO Free, Kosher Certified
- Item Form: Filleted
The Crown Prince Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil are hands down one of the best-tasting canned sardines we’ve ever tasted!
These canned sardines are tightly packed with the heads removed, submerged in olive oil and are absolutely skinless and boneless. It’s rather convenient for people who don’t like sardines with skin, and who prefer removing the bones in the center.
They have a neutral smell, which most consumers find quite pleasing. The nutrition label states that only 90 calories come from fat, which is a good news for health-conscious individuals.
These are non-GMO sardines packed in a BPA-free, recyclable pull-top can. But that’s not all, The Crown Prince claims that these canned sardines contain more than the usual amount of Omega-3.
That’s more good news for people keen about their cholesterol levels! We’ve personally tried them and we must say that the taste indeed backs its good reputation.
The Crown Prince Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil are must-try canned sardines.
Pros
- Wild-caught, non-GMO sardines
- Packed in recyclable, pull-top cans
- Contain more than the usual amount of Omega-3
- Has a neutral smell, and is absolutely best-tasting.
Cons
- No noticeable drawbacks.
Runner-Up- Season Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Oil
- Brand: Season 1
- Weight: 4.38 Ounces
- Package Weight: 4.14 Kilograms
- Package Information: Can
The Season Skinless & Boneless Sardines, we’d daresay, is on the same level as The Crown Prince Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil, if not better.
We can’t really decide which tastes better but you can take our word for it when we say that these are some of the best tasting sardines we’ve tried so far!
The sardines are appealingly mushy, and they have that melt-in-your-mouth quality in them. You can even pour the olive oil over some rice, and they’ll make for a great meal!
Season claims these sardines are certified gluten-free, wild-caught, and sourced sustainably. These canned sardines are labeled “Kosher Pareve” — so everyone can enjoy them! The sardines go well with other dishes, and you can even make your own recipe using these amazing sardines!
The package says the sardines provide 1700 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids per serving, which are perfect for people keen about their diet. Olive oil already has a lot of health benefits as it is, but these sardines may just provide you with more health benefits.
The Season Skinless & Boneless Sardines is an ideal lazy meal that you should always keep in stock!
Pros
- Contains wild-caught, sustainably sourced sardines
- Gluten-free, Omega-3 rich sardines
- One of the best tasting canned sardines we’ve tasted yet
- Provides 1700 mg of Omega-3 per serving
- The olive oil can be poured over some rice, or be used for other dishes.
Cons
- No noticeable drawbacks.
Best Organic- Matiz España Sardines in Olive Oil
- Brand: Matiz
- Weight: 4.25 Ounces
- Protein: 12 Grams
- Specialty: Fresh, Gluten-Free, Natural, Fair-trade, Gmo-free
- Item Form: Sliced
The Matiz España Sardines in Olive Oil are packed with the skin and bones intact. We know it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but these canned sardines have much more to offer.
A can contains sustainably harvested sardines caught off the coast of Spain, and were packed in high-quality olive oil.
Upon opening the can, we must say that the appearance of the sardines is exceptional, which says a lot about their quality.
The sardines taste great on their own, but it doesn’t hurt to make your own recipe off of them. They go well with sliced white bread, and they also make for a nice fish stew, as we’ve tried ourselves.
The sardines have a smooth texture, and like with most high-quality sardines submerged in olive oil, you can dip your sandwich in the olive oil and find the experience pleasant. This is seriously one of the best sardines to buy, especially if you’re a person who loves Spanish-style products.
The manufacturer of these canned sardines claims that they’re non-GMO and are gluten-free. Another good news for healthy eaters!
The Matiz España Sardines in Olive Oil comes in easy-to-open cans, and will surely give you a fantastic canned sardines experience!
Pros
- Sustainably harvested sardines packed in high-quality olive oil
- The sardines have a nice appearance and smooth texture
- Goes well with sliced bread, and makes for a great fish stew
- Non-GMO and Gluten-free.
Cons
- Some consumers find these canned sardines a bit too salty.
Best in Water– Bumble Bee Boneless and Skinless Sardines in Olive Oil
- Brand Bumble Bee
- Weight 4.4 Ounces
- Protein 21 Grams
- Package Weight 0.14 Kilograms
- Variety Sardines
The Bumble Bee Boneless and Skinless Sardines in Olive Oil, like most of the best canned sardines on this list, are packed in high-quality olive oil.
Bumble Bee claims that these canned sardines are perfect for people who are on a keto diet.
The sardines are skinless and boneless, as is stated on the package, but they’ve actually used big sardines for this. It means you’ll get somewhere between 1-3 large chunks of sardines.
It has a mild, smoky flavor, and we’ve discovered that it makes for a great fish spread! The sardines are of excellent quality, and we can only say good stuff about their taste and texture.
The sardines have a pinkish fish meat appearance, which I’m pretty sure we all know is a great indicator of how fresh the sardines are. They’re very tender, and it doesn’t really hurt to add some seasonings if you want. Since they’re skinless and boneless, these canned sardines give you more fish meat than you could possibly want.
These are another sardines that you can’t definitely miss out. Bumble Bee claims that these sardines are gluten-free, and are wild caught.
The Bumble Bee Boneless and Skinless Sardines are a real value for your money. They are great-tasting, nice-looking, chunky sardines perfect as a healthy snack or a meal.
Pros
- Wild caught, gluten-free sardines
- Mild, smoky flavor
- Large chunks of skinless and boneless fish meat
- The sardines have very tender meat.
Cons
- Some consumers find the sardines taste to be bland.
Amazing Benefits of Canned Sardines
Sardines are naturally protein-rich, but a lot of the other health benefits of canned sardines also come from the way they’re manufactured.
They are more than a lazy snack or meal
You’ve read that right, unlike your usual fish and chips snack, canned sardines go great with other dishes, and make for an excellent sandwich.
We’ve even tried it as a fish stew, and guess what? They were perfect for it. They’re a versatile superfood that can be eaten as is, or combined with other dishes. You can even use them for your home recipes!
You can do just about anything you want with them, and we’re sure that you’ll be happy with the results.
Canned sardines provide you with exceptional health benefits
In case you haven’t noticed, most of the best canned sardines featured on the list above are packed in olive oil. Sardines are an excellent source of protein while olive oil, as we all know, provides us with several health benefits.
These two are an excellent combination, especially for people that are keen about their daily nutrition intake, and most of us can even ignore the added salt.
Most canned sardines are naturally low in carbs, apparently because they’re fish, but what makes canned sardines even greater are the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids they can contain. Omega-3 fatty acids are heart-friendly fatty acids that most health conscious individuals look for when it comes to superfoods.
Looking for more seafood? Check out our post on kid-friendly seafood recipes!
They come in recyclable, easy-to-open cans
This may seem trivial at first glance, but it’s actually what makes canned sardines convenient. Several years ago, many of us still would have to use can openers open a can of sardines.
Today, most best canned sardines manufacturers utilize easy-to-open cans, which have pull-rings so consumers can open them using only bare hands. Most of the cans used are recyclable, and most manufacturers get certification to mass-produce these recyclable cans, again, for the convenience of the consumers.
They’re literally everywhere
Canned sardines are one of the most readily available products in the market. They’re super accessible, whether locally or online, and you won’t have the trouble of driving too far from home to purchase them.
We’ve all come across some products that are extremely hard to come by. Thankfully, canned sardines aren’t one of those. Talk about convenience! Most people usually overlook this fact, but it’s actually beneficial for most consumers, and now that you’re aware of it, we know you’d start to appreciate how utterly convenient purchasing canned sardines are.
Speaking of canned food – check out our posts on cooking canned corn and cooking canned beans!
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Canned Sardines
There are only a couple factors you should consider when buying the healthiest canned sardines, and they’re not that hard to remember.
Brand
First off, you need to seriously consider the brand of the canned sardines. There are literally thousands of canned sardines manufacturer, and we’ve already seen a lot of consumers complaining about some of their canned sardines purchases.
Make sure that you purchase the best canned sardines only from the best canned sardines manufacturers, and it’s relatively easy to do. You can do a quick research about the brands of the canned sardines you’re considering to purchase. This lessens the likelihood of you being disappointed with your purchase. Also, it ensures that you get only the finest quality canned sardines.
Ingredients
The second factor you should consider are the ingredients. Most canned sardines contain only about three or four. The usual ingredients are oil (sometimes water), the sardines themselves, and salt. This is the case for most canned sardines manufacturer, but there are a wide array of other options.
Some canned sardines are packed in tomato sauce, some use different additives and spices like pepper. Make sure to always look at the label and see what’s in the canned sardines you’re about to purchase. It’s absolutely a good practice that can also be applied for other products.
FAQs about Best Canned Sardines
How do you eat canned sardines?
The can’t-fail, satisfying taste of sardines is a staples in any pantry. Dressed up with mustard and eaten straight out the jar or on your favorite crackers for an extra dose o’ omega 3’s! You’ll love them scattered across salads too – not only do they make everything better but these little guys are packed full protein that will keep you going all day long. Get creative by cooking down some sassy spices such as curry powder before tossing into pasta dishes so each bite has new flavor.
Are sardines high in mercury?
Sardines are low in toxins and heavy metals because they only feed on plankton. These small fish don’t contain high levels of mercury, making them a healthier alternative for those who eat them regularly.
Are sardines good for you?
Sardines are the ultimate fish snack! Not only do they contain omega-3s and other vitamins, but sardine bones also provide about 30% of your daily calcium intake.
Conclusion
There are definitely more to canned sardines than meets the eye. More than being a lazy snack, canned sardines can be a healthy option for people that don’t feel like doing meticulous cooking preparations. The Crown Prince Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil tops our list of the healthiest canned sardines. It’s the best canned sardines that gives any consumer the best value for his or her money.
| No | Name | Image | Best For | Detail |
| 1 | King Oscar Sardines Extra Virgin Olive Oil | | Best for fast healthy meal | |
| 2 | rown Prince Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil | | Best for Runner Up | |
| 3 | Season Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Oil | | Best for budget | |
| 4 | Matiz Sardines in Olive Oil | | Best for natural bold flavors | |
| 5 | Bumble Bee Premium Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil | | Best for high quality |
We hope that you like this product review and buying guide. If you have comments and suggestions, please let us know in the comments sections.
Jen Lin-Liu is the founder of Black Sesame Kitchen. A Chinese-American writer and a nationally certified Chinese chef in Beijing. Jen is the author of two memoirs, Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China and On the Noodle Road: From Beijing to Rome with Love and Pasta.