Deen, Author at Sardeenz!

Starkist Tuna Creations – Thai Chili

This Starkist Tuna Creations - Thai Chili came from Walmart. It's one of several flavor variations supplied in single serving pouches. Inexpensively priced at $1.28, it seemed worth investigating.

Initial impression upon opening the can pouch: 4.5/5.

I get that packing tuna in pouches is attractive to marketers. Convenience, no can opener, no draining, no waste. More label space for eye-catching graphics and a bigger facing per unit on retail shelves. On the other side, consumers have to carefully tear open the pack, probe deeply into the pouch to get all the product out, and what you get looks more like canned cat food than the image on the package represents. What kind of tuna you're getting is either vague or undeclared.

Let's Tear Into It

The pouch tore open without incident. Sometimes it doesn't go as anticipated. Squeezing open the pouch to dump out the tuna went about as expected. It all stuck to one side of the pouch, necessitating going in with fork to scrape it out. You can see that cat food appearance I was talking about.

The aroma is of the Thai chili flavoring, and it mostly masks any smell of tuna. The taste is similar, mostly the added flavoring dominant over the fish.

There's a mild, pleasant heat to it, and a sweetness that, while not unexpected, was a bit more than called for, I thought. The meat was satisfactorily moist, almost too moist to be natural, but I assume that's mainly due to water being the second ingredient on the list.

Sodium was a slightly above average 430mg, but the sweetness of the flavoring made it seem less so.

Starkist offers apparently 10 variations on this theme, and I see competitor Bumble Bee has a few of its own as well. I wasn't moved by this one enough to want to go out and buy others, irrespective of the low price point.

Main Takeaways

Tasted more of flavoring than tuna
Convenience in the eye of the beholder

Brand: Starkist
Description: Tuna with Thai chili
Species: N/S
Country of Origin: Ecuador
Source: FAO87, Southeast Pacific
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 2.6 oz.
Price Range: $1.25

Fremont Fish Market Yellowfin Tuna with Chili

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This Fremont Fish Market Yellowfin Tuna with Chili is an Aldi house brand, and a new item as of Fall 2026. Both it and a "with lemon" version debuted simultaneously. They appear to be hopping on the bandwagon for flavored tuna in single serving cans packaged in cartons with eye-catching, colorful graphics. But in a bargain price market channel. At $2.49 a can, they seemed worth a try.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

Nice appearance. You can see whole chunks of fillet with very little debris. The aroma is clean, not fishy, a plus for canned tuna. A sip of the liquid doesn't reveal much. The olive oil is tinged red from "paprika extract" and "capsicum extract", so no real chili pepper.

Let's Dig In

The fillet is as thick as the can is deep. I had to pry the fish out in chunks. Very little liquid remained in the tin, and I poured it onto the fish.

The minimal amount of packing liquid can be a plus or a minus. Too much can make one feel like there could have been more fish in the can. Too little risks leaving an already dry fish tasting all the more drier.

The flavor is good, with only a little tuna "tang". The chili seasoning isn't really doing much other than adding color. The mouthfeel is a little on the dry side, but not unreasonable. Mixed in a salad with dressing or mayo would resolve it.

A check of the sodium content reveals a lower than average 210mg, but it tasted a little saltier. In no way a problem, though.

Main Takeaways

Good tuna flavor
Not much chili flavor
A little dry tasted alone

Interesting that the carton says "product of Ecuador", while listing a possible 8 different FAO catch areas, including those from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. This particular tin was stamped FAO87, Southeast Pacific.

Overall, I'd have to say that by comparison, the Genova Yellowfin Tuna with Calabrian Chili was a better experience. Higher sodium content notwithstanding, it was more flavorful and better priced at $3 for a larger 5oz. can.

Brand: Aldi / Fremont Fish Market
Description: Yellowfin tuna in olive oil with chili
Species: Thunnus albacares
Country of Origin: Ecuador
Source: FAO87, Southeast Pacific
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 3.2 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Season Sardines in 100% Olive Oil

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These Season Sardines in 100% Olive Oil were found at Aldi, where they were priced at $2.49. Usually, their sardine offerings have been limited to a rotating selection of Northern Catch (house brand) that at times has been herring, other times pilchards, and yet other times sprats. Hard to be a loyal sardine customer there. So, these were a potentially welcome surprise.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

Not the prettiest can of fish. Skin a little roughed up and I see a tail, unusual for pilchards from Morocco. There's a bit of a fishy aroma, stronger than I'm accustomed to or would prefer. But not like spoilage. A sip of the oil is unrevealing. There's also a version marked "in extra virgin olive oil" with a different UPC.

Let's Eat

These are big, but not too big. There are five total. I lifted them out of the can rather than dump. I've been increasingly diligent about observing net weight vs. drained weight calories with tinned fish packed in oil.

There's quite a bit of oil left in the tin. The carton lists 250 calories drained weight, but the net content is 39gm. higher, and that's all oil. If it's not going to contribute to flavor, then all it's adding is fat calories at the rate of 133 per tablespoon (15gm.). So dumping it all here would turn 250 calories into 596 calories.

If I'm going to add that much in saturated fat, it's going to be something that spices things up, like a chili oil. To that end, I only poured about a tablespoon of the remaining oil over the fish and rice.

The fishy aroma has dissipated somewhat. The meat yields easily to the pierce of a fork, but it's not mushy. On the palate, they're a bit dry and a little mealy. The salt level is listed as 340mg. but it tastes far lower, leaving things bland as well.

I have a second can that I am now not in any hurry to open. But when I do, I'll have the chili crisp ready.

Main Takeaways

Not the prettiest fish
Fishy aroma
A little dry, mealy, bland
Needed salt

Brand: Season Brand, LLC
Description: Sardines in 100% Olive Oil
Species: Sardina pilchardus
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 4.375 oz.
Price Range: $3

King Oscar Skinless & Boneless Spanish Style Sardines

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I've been waiting for my local Walmart to have these back in stock for a while now. Fully described as King Oscar Skinless & Boneless Sardines, Spanish Style in Olive Oil. As is usual with KO skinless/boneless sardines, these are pilchards.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.5/5.

I didn't include a photo of the just-opened can because it looked like any other can of King Oscar skinless/boneless pilchards. My assumption was that whatever was included in the can would be underneath the fish, so photographing that would have been moot. Perhaps the idea is that one is expected to dump the fish out onto a plate, et voila! there are the inclusions nicely perched atop the liberated can contents.

Such was not the case, as I chose to do as I usually do, which is to dig portions straight out of the can. I did manage to find the carrot and cucumber, but felt a little disappointed to find no actual whole pepper. These were not as firm as I have come to expect from KO. Digging around to find the veggies created a bit of a mush. They still tasted fine. However, if there was supposed to be any pepper to convey some heat, both it and the heat were absent. Maybe the pepper lady was on break when this can went down the line. I will reserve final judgement until after opening the second can I bought.

Revisit a Year Later

I opened a second can that had been languishing in my stash for quite some time, over a year in fact. As before, the additions were underneath the fish.

Four hefty pilchard loins this time, and the pepper missing from that first tin. I plucked them and the veggies from the tin, and poured about half the remaining oil over everything.

A sip of the oil reveals the pepper has done its job, bringing a moderate level of heat. There was also a pickle in there, hidden between two fish stuck together.

These are firmer than the last can, but at the expense of moisture. They are a tad on the dry side, but not a deal breaker.

Main Takeaways

June 2025: Not as firm as typical King Oscar boneless skinless. September 2026: Firm as expected.
June 2025: Flavorful but absent heat. September 2026: Pepper has done its job.

See it on Amazon.

Brand: King Oscar
Description: Skinless & Boneless Sardines in Olive Oil, Spanish Style
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.23 oz.
Price Range: $2-3

Diplomats Fried Brisling Sardines in Sriracha

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These Diplomats Fried Brisling Sardines in Sriracha Sauce were found at World Market. They were a new item, one of a handful of flavor varieties. The brand sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite remember why. Before I had a chance to open them, I realized that I had forgotten I watched a youtube review of another Diplomats brisling flavor. It did not go well at all. So I 'm hoping to not be equally disappointed.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.8/5.

At first glance, not as bad as I had feared. The Sriracha sauce is thick and clinging to the fish. Some oil has separated but neither it nor the sauce fill the can. The aroma is of pepper and vinegar. I can't really see evidence of frying. Perhaps more will be revealed once they're out of the tin.

Let's See What We've Got Here

I chose to lift them out rather than just dump. They are clumped together, and I can't tell if that's from the frying or just the sauce gluing them together.

Separating them with a fork, I see some tails, typical of Latvian sprats. There appear to be just 9 fish total, not exactly small for sprats.

An initial taste of the sauce is unsurprising, it's basically just Sriracha sauce. The label also indicates soy flour and rapeseed oil, but that appears related to the frying. There's not really anything in the way of a coating, more like they were just floured and fried. The oil in the bottom of the tin is likely more from the frying than separated from the sauce.

Digging in, they are firm enough, in no way the mushy mess the youtuber experienced. The tails aren't prickly at all, a plus. The only problem I'm having is the Sriracha sauce overpowering any flavor the fish might have imparted. It's hot, but not too hot. Nonetheless, I found it fatiguing towards the end.

Main Takeaways

Firm, meaty sprats
Not sure what the frying added
Overpowering sauce

Brand: Unda Ltd. / Diplomats
Description: Fried brisling in sriracha sauce
Species: Sprattus sprattus
Country of Origin: Latvia
Source: FAO27 Northeast Atlantic
Skin/Bones: Yes/Yes
Net Wt: 3.53 oz.
Price Range: $5

Fishwife Mussels in Basil Pesto

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These Fishwife Mussels in Basil Pesto were on sale at Whole Foods for $6.88 after Prime member discount. Seemed like a good opportunity to try them. I've already tried and reviewed the sweet pepper and garlic version.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

That's a lot of basil. The aroma is overwhelmingly of basil. The oil is tinged green from it. And a sip of the oil, yep, primarily basil.

Let's Eat

Rice didn't seem right for mussels, so I looked around and settled on some unseasoned ramen noodles, the closest thing to pasta on hand. I just dumped the entire contents over them. The heat of the noodles brought out the basil aroma even further.

Looking over it all, I counted 25 to 27 mussels, a generous portion.

Digging in, the mussels are firm enough. But I'm not really getting a sense of any flavors beyond shellfish and basil. The garlic is under-represented, and I thought they needed some salt. The label states 420mg. sodium, but it felt like far less.

Pesto by definition includes cheese, obviously absent in this scenario, so calling it that is taking some liberties. Cheese would have brought the needed salt, but I had none on hand to test. The label also states lemon juice, black pepper and oregano, but, as included, they stood no chance against the preponderance of basil.

Overall, I thought these were just OK as purchased. I'd get them again if on sale and I had a proper bowl of pasta and some shaved or grated Parmesan cheese on hand.

Main Takeaways

Firm, tasty mussels
Basil over-represented, other seasonings shut out
Needed salt
Good portion

Brand: Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co.
Description: Mussels in basil pesto
Species: Mussels N/S
Country of Origin: Chile / Spain (packed)
Source: Farmed (Chile)
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.2 oz.
Price Range: $7

Sultan Moroccan Sardines Boneless/Skinless in Olive Oil

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These Sultan Moroccan Sardines Boneless/Skinless in Olive Oil came from a Middle Eastern market from which I had previously obtained other Sultan varieties. Supply chain issues had briefly impacted their ability to stock the variety of tinned fish I'm used to finding there. As such, these were the only "new to me" selection available. Let's see how they are.

Initial impression upon opening the can: 4.9/5.

They look about the same as most boneless skinless sardines, sort of a drab, pale color. There's a bit of a sulfurous odor, but it quickly dissipates. The oil, what there is of it, is similarly pale, almost clear. Unusual for olive oil. A sip of it has a subtle flinty, mineral note.

Let's Dig In

And by "dig in", I mean literally. They are packed in there tight, so much so I can't even get a count. I had to pry them out of the tin in chunks. There was so much fish in the can, there was barely any oil left after I got them all out.

The first bite was a disappointment. The fish is dry and a bit mealy. Perhaps some more oil and some less fish would have prevented this, I don't know. Continuing on, the flavor is bland and needs salt badly. Sodium is listed at a relatively low 240mg.

I was able to improve things a bit with some hot chili oil. It added flavor, salt and some needed moisture. So, not a total loss. Having said that, I think I will go back and get some more. They were quite the bargain at under $3 for a generous 4.41oz. portion that was 95% fish. That's a lot of protein for the money, tinned fish-wise. If the next can isn't any better on its own merits, I'll know how to deal with it.

Main Takeaways

Dry and a bit mealy
Bland and needed salt
Generous portion

Brand: Sultan
Description: Sardines boneless/skinless in olive oil
Species: Pilchards
Country of Origin: Morocco
Source: FAO34, Eastern Central Atlantic
Skin/Bones: No/No
Net Wt: 4.41 oz.
Price Range: $3