The Best Tinned Mackerel in the UK

Mackerel is the most underused tin in most people's cupboard. Sardines have their champions and anchovies their devotees, but mackerel sits largely ignored — which is a waste, because at its best it is bold, meaty, and genuinely versatile in a way that wins over even the most cautious tinned fish sceptic.

What to look for

Freshness at the point of catch matters more for mackerel than almost any other tinned fish. It is an oily fish that degrades quickly, so the gap between catch and tin needs to be short — same-day processing produces a noticeably firmer, cleaner result than fish that has been frozen and processed later. Beyond that, the question is simply oil versus sauce: olive oil lets the fish speak for itself, while a mustard or tomato preparation gives you a different, more finished dish straight from the tin.

The best overall: José Gourmet

José Gourmet's mackerel in olive oil represents the classic Atlantic conservas approach at its best — clean, confident, and consistently well-balanced. If you are trying mackerel for the first time, or want a single tin that does everything well, this is where to start.

Best for something different: Berthe

Berthe brings the same French Atlantic heritage to mackerel that defines their sardine range — restrained, refined, and a noticeably different character from the bolder Portuguese style. Worth seeking out once you have a sense of what you prefer, as a point of comparison.

Best British: Rockfish

Rockfish's mackerel is caught off the British coast and tinned at peak freshness, with a leaner, more distinctly maritime character than the Atlantic conservas tradition. The tin to reach for if you want something that tastes unmistakably of British waters rather than the wider conservas world.

How to use it

Mackerel rewards more preparation than sardines tend to need — it holds up well to pâté, to a sharp mustard dressing, and to being flaked through a salad with new potatoes and watercress. For five specific methods, see Five Things to Do With a Tin of Mackerel.

The verdict

Start with José Gourmet for the most reliable everyday tin. Move to Berthe once you want to compare a different regional style. Reach for Rockfish specifically when you want something distinctly British rather than part of the wider Atlantic tradition.

Browse the full mackerel collection to see what's currently in stock.