2008
Tinned Salmon Fillet? Not for me, thanks
I remember years ago, and I mean maybe 25 years ago or more, being at some do or other where beautiful salmon sandwiches were served, fresh tasty salmon, soft bread, a little mayo. Perfect. But one women cast her’s aside with a disgusted snort: “I don’t know what rubbish they have in those but it certainly isn’t John West Red!“.
We’ve come a long way in Ireland from the days when salmon more or less always came in a tin, its quality judged by the depth of its colour.
I’m a pretty dedicated consumer of many of Lidl’s frozen fish offerings, but although I’ve been told by several people that the Admiral range of tinned fish was also excellent, almost as good as fresh, I’d never tried any. So last week I bought a tin for the first time, specifically the ‘Nature’ (ie unflavoured) Salmon, which cost €2.39.
The tin looked promising with a nice looking piece of salmon pictured on it. When I opened it though, it was a different story.
A greyish looking and very unappetising chunk of fish lay in a cloudy brine inside. Ok, I thought, maybe grey salmon is good. It’s probably just the effect of the brine and it means there is no dye or anything, which is a plus.
So into a bowl it went with some mayo, chopped scallions, a squeeze of lemon and a shake of paprika. Much better. Now it at least looked edible, even tasty. I tucked in……..
It certainly isn’t John West Red. The dog really, really liked it. I won’t be buying it again.
Tags: Fish, Salmon, Taste Test
July 24th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Thats the problem with Lidl (and Aldi too I’m sure)! Some things are great, but there is always the exception that proves the rule, and its these exceptions that make you wary about buying stuff there.
But nothing ventured, nothing gained
July 24th, 2008 at 11:49 am
i LOVE their salmon fillet.. haven’t had a bad experience yet. sorry you did. it was on sale awhile back at 1.49, so i bought a good number of tins. it’s great for when i don’t feel like cooking. i have rice and veggies in frozen packs which i microwave, and then mix in the salmon.
on the other hand, i bought some frozen salmon fillet steaks there and they were DREADFUL. lots of bones, not nice looking.
p.s. just discovered your blog.. thanks! i am a Lidle fiend and love the idea of reading up on ‘good’ things to get at lidl.
July 25th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
The idea of tinned salmon doesn’t really appeal to me either but my mother used to make a lovely salmon pie using tinned salmon
October 25th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Perhaps the plain variety is a bit dull; I’ve tried the parsley and dill versions, which aren’t bad in a sandwich, or smothered in something that has a strong taste. It’s pretty bland though, hard to tell apart from tinned tuna, except that it’s less tough.
April 19th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
The tinned Admiral Salmon “Nature” is the BEST tinned salmon I have eaten in a long while! – I shall most certainly buy it again!!! – Thank you
September 12th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I think that all comments put aside everybody will have a different taste, opinion or reaction to Lidl products. I used to be a manager for Lidl, i enjoyed my work and looked forward to trying something different everyday for lunch unfortunately i had to resign due to personal reasons but you wont stop me buying there. Ive tried all theyre fish frozen and tinned and it certainely beats paying over the odds at the fishmonger!!