10 Cheap Canned Seafood Products You Should Avoid Buying At All Costs - Tasting Table

"Canned fish is soaring in popularity. In fact, according to Fortune Business Insights, in 2025, the global canned seafood market was valued at just over $57.6 billion, and by 2034, it could be approaching $100 billion. There are a few key reasons for this; canned fish is incredibly convenient, it's quick to prepare, and it's a good source of protein (we are, after all, in the middle of protein mania). But like everything, canned fish isn't perfect."

"Often, the cheaper products on the market don't deliver in terms of taste and texture. This is a big issue, because when a fish product is bad, it can make you feel nauseous and, quite frankly, put you off buying anything similar for life. To help you make better canned seafood choices, we've compiled a list of cheap products that might be best avoided at all costs."

"It boasts that the sardines, which are grill-marked, can be eaten as a snack or used to liven up pizzas or salads. But not everyone agrees. YouTuber Matthew Carlson who uploads canned fish reviews to his channel Canned Fish Files, scored the Trader Joe's grilled sardines with a measly one out of five. He noted that while they were edible and he appreciated the skin-on texture, he found the grilling had squashed the sardines and left them with a slightly unpleasant, bitter taste."

Canned seafood sales have surged, with the global canned seafood market valued at about $57.6 billion in 2025 and projected toward $100 billion by 2034. Canned fish offers convenience, quick preparation, and high protein, fueling consumer demand. Significant drawbacks include sustainability challenges and frequent taste and texture problems in lower-priced products, which can cause nausea and deter future purchases. Consumer reviews were used to identify cheap canned fish items to avoid. Trader Joe's grilled sardines, marketed as wild-caught and grill-marked, received poor reviews for a squashed texture and a slightly unpleasant, bitter grilled flavor that many found not worth repurchasing.

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