7 Best Canned Sardines of 2023

Canned sardines are highly nutritious as they are rich in Omega-3, proteins, and essential minerals like iron and calcium.

They also contain various other healthy ingredients and seasonings. But, with the many options out there, you need to make sure you get the best canned sardine or at least something that will suit your taste and seasoning needs. 

In this piece we aim to make this easier by reviewing 7 of the best canned sardines out there and with a comprehensive buying guide. Bit first here are some nutritional facts about canned sardines.

Nutritional Facts of Canned Sardine

Canned sardines are known for some health and nutritional values. This is due to the high level of omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, and essential minerals.

Omega-3

They contain omega-3 fatty acids that aid in preventing heart disease thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, they are good for individuals who previously suffered from a heart attack.

Omega-3 fatty acids also low the blood pressure as it reduces the risk of blood clots.

Protein

Canned sardines good sources of healthy proteins that aid in the building of body muscles and bones.

The proteins also take oxygen and nutrients to all body parts plus aids in creating antibodies to keep the body immune system stronger.

Vitamins

The canned sardines are a source of vitamin B-12 that aids the cardiovascular system plus enhance body energy. In addition to vitamin D, they provide good bone health.

Minerals

Canned sardines are also good sources of different minerals like calcium and iron. Calcium is essential for individuals allergic to dairy and lactose intolerant.

Other minerals include niacin, potassium, magnesium, and zinc among others.

7 Best Canned Sardines – Review

IMAGE	PRODUCT	FEATURES
	1. King Oscar 3480060002 (Best Overall)	3.75-Ounces aluminum can Wild-caught and wood-smoked  High omega-3, proteins, and calcium Low-carb and gluten free
	2. Wild Planet 21447-63566 (Lightly Smoked & Delicious)	4.4-Ounces BPA-free can Lightly smoked and with a delightful taste  High nutrition content Sustainably sourced sardines
	3. Crown Price Canned Sardine (Best Hand Filleted)	3.75-Ounce pull-top lid can Wild-caught and hand filleted  Rich in proteins and omega-3 Hand filleted and packed in cold pressed olive oil
	4. Matiz Espana Olive Oil Canned Sardine (Nutritious & Sustainably Harvested)	4.2-Ounces traditional fashion can Sustainably harvested  High omega-3 and protein source Nice taste and texture Non-GMO and gluten-free
	5. Season 1 Skinless and Boneless (All-Natural & Skinless)	3.75-Ounces BPA-free can All-natural sardines Wild-caught and sourced  High omega-3 and essential mineral content
	6. Season 1 Sardines in Water (Perfect for the Mild Smoke Lovers)	4.375-Ounces BPA-free can Wildly-caught and mildly smoked A high source of omega-3, proteins, and minerals Gluten-free and non-GMO
	7. Crown Price Sardines in Water (An Excellent Source of Omega-3 & Protein)	4.25-Ounce pull-top lid can Wild-caught and slightly smoked  Good source of omega-3, protein, and calcium Pull-top lid for easy opening

1. King Oscar 3480060002 – Best Overall

Photo: King Oscar

When you love canned sardine with delicate texture, light flavor, and dainty size, then you need to try out King Oscar 3480060002 Canned Sardine. The sardines are wild-caught and wood-smoked before hand-packed for consistent quality.

Second, to this, they contain a high level of omega-3, iron, proteins, and calcium, which makes them very healthy. Moreover, they have low carbs, gluten-free, non-GMO, and no added sugar for a greater taste. They are ready to eat and, therefore, perfect fast food when traveling.

Packed in quality 3.75-ounces recycle aluminum cans with two layers of bristling sardines for a great look. The cans are easy to open thanks to the pull rings.

The canned sardine has extra virgin olive oil as the medium, which eliminates the smell of raw fish and, therefore, gives a great taste. 

Even though it is more nutritious because they have bones and skins, this makes it hard to eat from the can. The cost is also relatively higher than compared to other products on the list.

Pros:

• Delivers consistent quality and light flavor
• Rich in omega-3 and minerals
• Packed in easy to open cans
• Available in different flavors 

Cons:

• Hard to eat in the can
• Relatively costly

2. Wild Planet 21447-63566 – Lightly Smoked and Delicious

Photo: Wild Planet

The Wild Planet Extra Virgin Olive Oil Canned Sardine is a sustainable and healthy addition to the regular diet. They have been wildly-caught and lightly smoked for a full and palatable flavor. This also makes them a great addition to both keto and paleo diets.

Additionally, they are a great source of omega-3 and proteins plus other essential minerals including iron, calcium. They have been harvested in the Pacific using more sustainable methods for added health benefits.

Packed in 4.4-ounces cans with mixed sardines, you can easily open the cans for a flavorful taste. The head, tails, and scales of the fish are cleared out to give a better taste for easy eating directly from the can.

With no GMO and also gluten-free, it is a very healthy and sustainable canned sardine that is 100% safe for consumption.

The ratio of oil to fish in the can isn’t consistent and since the head, tail, and scales have been removed, it doesn’t suit those who love eating the whole fish.

Pros:

• Provides full and delicious flavor
• Rich in omega-3 and proteins
• Eatable from the can
• Healthy and sustainable 

Cons:

• Not ideal for those who need whole fish  
• Inconsistent oil to fish ratio

3. Crown Prince Canned Sardine – Best Hand Filleted Canned Sardines

Photo: Crown Prince

Here is a nutritious canned sardine that is wild-caught and hands filleted to keep it free of skin and bones. Due to this, it is great for first time consumers who may not be familiar with the sardines. Dipped in olive oil, it is suited for making some nutritious and healthy dishes.

More interestingly, the sardine is very healthy and rich in proteins and omega-3. It is, however, low in calories, which makes it a flavorful and healthy meal you can add to your daily diet.

They are hand-packed in 3.75-ounces cans with the pull-top lids. This makes it perfect for carrying when traveling since they are ready to eat.

The healthy sardine is gluten-free and non-GMO, which makes it an excellent addition to your diet.

Even though they hand-packed, you will need a can opener to get off lid plus bones and skins are removed and, therefore, not suitable for anyone who needs whole fish.

Pros:

• Makes nutritious and healthy dishes
• Rich in protein and omega-3
• Eatable from the can
• Gluten-free and non-GMO 

Cons:

• Not ideal for whole fish lovers
• Needs lid-opener to open

4. Matiz Espana Olive Oil Canned Sardine – Nutritious and Sustainably Harvested

Photo: Matiz

With olive oil as the medium, this is an exceptional and tasty sardine great for most diets. The wild and sustainably harvested off the coast of Galicia, it is a delicious and flavorful sardine.

Secondly, the sardine is a great source of omega-3, protein, and with the sustainable sources practices, it brings about better ecological balance. The sardine is ideal for tapas and can be tossed with pasta, veggies or touch of lemon. Alternatively, it can be eaten straight from the can.

Packed in a traditional fashion 4.2-Ounces can, it is convenient to carry when traveling. The traditional package also aids in exceptional preservation of texture and taste.

The whole fish have both skins and bones for added taste and health benefits. It is gluten-free and lacks GMO products and, therefore, very healthy.

With the skin included, it doesn’t suit those who don’t eat the skin.

Pros:

• Delicious and flavorful sardine
• A great source of protein
• Preserves the taste and texture
• Non-GMO and gluten-free

Cons:

• Not for individuals who don’t eat skins

5. Season 1 Skinless and Boneless – All-Natural and Skinless Canned Sardines

Photo: Season 1

Wild-caught and sourced from Morocco, this is a tasty and full flavor canned sardine for your diet. Due to this, it is perfect for preparing fulfilling and rich meals you can add to your daily diet.

The high source of omega-3 plus essential minerals makes it great for a healthy and sustainable diet. Each serving contains up to 1500mg of omega-3 fatty acids. Besides this, the sardine is gluten-free and non-GMO.

Apart from this, it is packed in 3.75-ounces can, which is easy to open plus BPA-free. This implies that it is very safe for consumption. The sardine is ready to eat with salt seasoning required.

Both the bones and skins are removed then stored in quality pure olive oil that aids in retaining the flavor.

With no bones and skins, it is not a whole fish plus doesn’t suit making seafood dishes.

Pros:

• Great for preparing rich and fulfilling dishes
• Good source of omega-3
• Ready to eat
• BPA-free and non-GMO 

Cons:

• Not a whole fish
• Not suitable for making seafood dishes

6. Season 1 Sardines in Water – Perfect Choice for the Mild Smoke Lovers

Photo: Season 1

When you don’t like the olive oil as a medium, Season 1 Sardines in Water Canned Sardine is stored in water with no salt added. The wildly caught mildly smoked sardine with eco-friendly harvesting in Morocco is a good addition to the majority of dietary needs.

The whole fish provides a high source of omega-3, proteins, and minerals including calcium and iron. With no GMO and gluten included, it is a healthy and palatable sardine to add to your diet.

It is packed in 4.375-Ounces can that is easy to open and allows for easy portability. Due to this, it is fast food that you can have when traveling. BPA-free packing implies that it is 100% safe for consumption.

In addition to this, the sardine has a low amount of calories and low sodium to make it healthy for the heart. Each serving will provide the body with up to 1700mg of omega-3 fatty acids.

Since it has water as the medium and not olive oil, it has the smell of raw fish. Besides this, it is a whole fish has no salt added, which means you will need to add some salt for the taste.

Pros:

• A great addition to dietary needs High source of omega-3 and proteins 
• Suitable when traveling
• Have low calories 

Cons:

• Requires salt for seasoning  
• Raw fish smell

7. Crown Prince Sardines in Water – An Excellent Source of Omega-3 and Protein

Photo: Crown Prince

With this wild-caught and slightly smoked sardine sustainably harvested in Morocco, you will get that full and flavorful test in every pack. It has water as the premium, which means no salt is added.

The good news is that the sardine is a good source of omega-3, proteins, and calcium. In each serving, you get up to 900 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. It is gluten-free and non-GMO for added health benefits.

More interestingly, the sardine has been hand packed in 4.25-Ounces can in water. The pull-top lid can don’t need a can opener, making it excellent for traveling or eating anywhere.

The mild flavor plus firm texture makes it a great addition to the everyday diet. The calories and sodium levels are low, which makes it healthy and nutritious.

However, you should expect the raw fish smell since it has water as the medium, but this is hardly a significant concern.

Pros:

• Good source of omega-3 and protein
• Gives a full and flavorful taste
• Free of gluten and GMO
• The pull-top lid is easy to open
• A great addition to the diet 

Cons:

• Strong raw fish smell

How to Buy the Best Canned Sardine

Due to the different types and brands of canned sardines, you need to find the best canned sardine brand that will suit your taste. You, therefore, need to look for things like.

1. Type of Fish 

The canned sardines contain different fish since some can be one fish type while others contain mixed fish types. In addition to this, you can get the fish fillets or whole fish. Due to this, it is necessary to get the fish type that will suit your taste.

The type of sourcing will determine whether the can contains authentic fishes. This is why you have to check out for the ideal brand that follows the most sustainable sourcing method.

When you need the best tasting canned sardine, you need to consider the bristling sardines as the taste better plus have higher nutritional value. However, they are small.

2. The Medium 

There are four main mediums used in the storage of canned sardines. These include pure olive oil, vegetable oil, water, and sauces.

You, therefore, have to select the right medium that will give you that flavorful taste plus suit your diet.

Sardines with olive oil as a medium like Crown Price Canned Sardine are very healthy and eliminates that smell of raw fish. It is the most commonly used medium in most canned sardine brands.

Secondly, there are sardines with water as the medium. Such canned sardines are suited for individuals who like the fresh flavor of fish.

Both olive oil and water mediums are found in most canned sardines due to the low level of fat and carbs. However, with vegetable oil, they have higher fat and carbs, which makes them unhealthy for your diet.

3. Type of Dish 

It is also vital to have an informed decision on the type of dish you need before making the purchase.

First, when you need ready to go meals, you should consider sardines with olive oil as the medium. You may also consider sardines kept in sauces.

Secondly, if you are looking for sardine you can use for sandwiches or spread, consider the fillet types of sardines with a medium of your choice.

More interestingly, the water medium with whole fish is great for preparing a good seafood dish.

Generally, you need to look out for the best canned sardine that will suit your taste and dish.

4. Flavorings or Seasonings 

You also need to check out for the added ingredients or seasoning in the canned sardine you wish to buy.

For instance, there are sardines with added spices and sauces. Such a type of sardine is great for eating directly from the can and, therefore, ideal for traveling.

On the other hand, the sardines with water as a medium are great for making the seafood dishes.

There are also canned sardines with added salt, which are excellent as a seasoning since they have a flavorful taste. This implies that individuals on a low sodium diet should not go for such sardines.

With the different ingredients and seasonings, consider the ultimately canned sardine that will suit your taste and diet.

Conclusion 

Canned sardines can be whole fish or fillets with different mediums like water, olive oil, sauces or vegetable oils. But regardless of which you prefer there is something for you on our review above.

From our review, the King Oscar 3480060002 is our best overall and top recommendation because besides the fantastic taste, this canned sardine also has nice wood smoke flavor and is also low-carb and GMO-free.

Sources

1. Are Sardines Good for You? – Healthline
2. Are Canned Sardines Bad for You? – Livestrong.com