Who is this for?

Cooking a larger pie

If one pie needs a substantial salmon filling, compare a large tin with the number of standard tins your recipe would require.

Planning how many tins to use

If you would rather open only what the pie needs, individual tins offer flexibility. Check the pack instructions before keeping any opened salmon for another meal.

Avoiding bones in the filling

If diners dislike bones, a skinless-and-boneless format may reduce preparation. Marks & Spencer notes that small bones may still remain in its 170g red-salmon product.

What matters when buying?

Set the amount of salmon for your pie first, then decide how much bone preparation you are willing to do and whether the recipe calls for pink or red salmon.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Amount for the pie Check the tin weight against your recipe and any serving guidance on the pack. Asda Groceries labels its 418g pink salmon as four servings; Sainsbury's labels its 212g pink salmon as two. When making a larger pie, I want enough salmon without opening unnecessary tins; about 50% of consumers would make batch quantity their primary concern.
Bones and preparation Read the exact tin's bone statement, including on products labelled skinless and boneless. If diners dislike bones, I want less sorting before adding salmon to the filling; roughly 30% of consumers would put bone handling first.
Pink or red salmon Confirm the salmon type in the product name and ingredients, then check the size and bone statement of that particular tin. When a recipe calls for a particular salmon type, I want to pick that type rather than rely on the tin's appearance; about 20% of consumers would make this their first consideration.

Buying mistakes to avoid

  • Counting tins instead of checking their weight

    Several small tins and one large tin give you different ways to portion a pie filling. The number of tins alone does not tell you whether you have the amount your recipe needs.

    Compare the stated weights with your recipe before choosing a large tin or a set of smaller ones. If you expect leftovers, check that tin's opened-pack storage instructions.

  • Assuming tinned salmon is boneless

    Asda's 418g pink salmon carries a soft-bone warning, while Marks & Spencer says small bones may remain even in its skinless-and-boneless 170g red salmon.

    Read the label on the tin you choose and inspect the salmon as you flake it into the pie filling.

  • Using one storage rule for every opened tin

    Opened-pack instructions differ: Asda Groceries gives three days for its 418g pink salmon after transfer to a covered, refrigerated non-metallic container; Marks & Spencer gives 24 hours for its 213g red salmon.

    Follow the directions on your own pack rather than applying another product's use period.

  • Treating pink, red and prepared formats as interchangeable

    Salmon type, ingredients and bone statements vary across the tins in these ranges. A red-salmon tin is not necessarily boneless.

    Check the product name and ingredients if your recipe calls for a particular type, then read its bone statement before cooking.

Brands to consider

Princes

Princes lists Wild Pacific Pink Salmon in 213g and 418g tins, as well as a 213g Wild Pacific Medium Red Salmon.

  • The 418g pink tin offers a single-tin option for a larger filling; Princes lists pink salmon and salt as its ingredients.
  • Check the selected product's salmon type and bone statement rather than assuming the tins have the same preparation needs.

John West

The range includes 213g pink and red salmon tins and a 3 × 80g skinless-and-boneless pink-salmon multipack.

  • The smaller multipack gives cooks a way to open portions separately.
  • Sainsbury's listing for the John West 213g red salmon states that it contains bones.

Tesco

Tesco Groceries lists own-label pink and red salmon in several sizes, including a 418g Wild Pacific Pink Salmon tin.

  • The 418g pink tin is relevant when the recipe calls for one larger can.
  • Check the exact listing when choosing between a standard tin and a skinless-and-boneless format; the pack sizes differ.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's labels its 212g Wild Pacific Pink Salmon as two servings and lists skinless-and-boneless options elsewhere in its tinned-fish range.

  • The 212g tin provides a standard-size reference for a smaller pie or for combining tins.
  • For a larger batch, check how many 212g tins your recipe requires.

Asda

Asda Groceries labels its 418g Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon as four servings.

  • One 418g tin may suit a larger pie if its quantity matches the recipe.
  • Its product information warns of soft edible bones; inspect the salmon while preparing the filling.

M&S

Marks & Spencer lists Wild Alaskan Red Salmon in several formats, including a 170g skinless-and-boneless product and a 213g tin.

  • The 170g format is an option when reducing bone preparation matters more than using a large tin.
  • Marks & Spencer says small bones may remain in the skinless-and-boneless product; its 213g red salmon contains bones.

Tinned salmon on Joybuy

These Morrisons pink-salmon options cover a four-pack of standard tins and a single standard tin. Choose the number of cans to match your pie recipe rather than treating the multipack as one large tin.

Morrisons Pink Salmon, four 213g tins

Morrisons Pink Salmon 213g, 4-pack

Consider this format if you want to open standard-size tins as you build the pie filling. The pack contains four 213g tins, not one large tin; check the labels for bone information and opened-pack storage directions.

View on Joybuy
Morrisons Pink Salmon 213g tin

Morrisons Pink Salmon 213g

A single 213g tin lets you start with a smaller quantity or add cans according to your recipe. For a larger pie, check how many tins you need, along with the bone and storage information on each pack.

View on Joybuy

Common questions

How much tinned salmon do I need for pie and mash?

Use your recipe's salmon quantity as the deciding measure. Asda Groceries labels its 418g pink-salmon tin as four servings, while Sainsbury's labels its 212g pink-salmon tin as two; those serving statements are starting points, not a fixed amount for every pie.

Will a skinless-and-boneless tin remove the need to check for bones?

No. Marks & Spencer says small bones may remain in its 170g skinless-and-boneless red salmon. Check the label of the product you buy and inspect the salmon while flaking it into the filling.

How should I store salmon left over from an opened tin?

Follow that tin's directions. For its 418g pink salmon, Asda Groceries instructs shoppers to transfer unused contents to a suitable non-metallic container, cover and refrigerate them, and use them within three days. Marks & Spencer gives a 24-hour period for its 213g red salmon.

What does the best-before date on a salmon tin mean?

GOV.UK explains that a best-before date concerns quality rather than safety and that tinned foods commonly carry one. Check the date, the condition of the tin and its storage instructions before use.

What allergen information should I check?

Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact tin: salmon is fish. GOV.UK says food businesses must identify ingredients that are among the 14 specified allergens, so use the current pack label when preparing food for someone with an allergy.