How to Make a Quick Kipper Snack Meal

Here is a quick and easy recipe for a simple weeknight meal using tinned kipper snacks. If kippers are new to you, they are smoked herring. Kippers are usually sold in a pop-top tin and are an affordable form of canned fish often called kipper snacks. They are nutrient-dense and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, making them a healthy choice for regular meals.

What are Kippers and Why Should Be Eat Them?

Kippers are smoked herring, a small oily fish high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are linked to heart and brain health, so including fatty fish like kippers in your diet can support overall well-being. Kippers are available pre-cooked and canned (often labeled “kipper snacks”) and are a convenient option for quick meals.

While fresh smoked kippers turn up occasionally at fishmongers, most home cooks will find canned kippers easier to store and use. Despite the “snack” label on some tins, kippers are a nutrient-dense food: they provide omega-3 fats plus vitamins D and B12, niacin, and riboflavin.

• Learn more about smoked kippers and how they are traditionally prepared.

Ingredients to Make a Kippers Meal

Find the full printable recipe in the recipe block below.

• 2 tins of kippers
• 1 bunch of Italian flat-leaf parsley
• 1 lemon (zest, pulp, and juice)
• 1 shallot, minced
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Cooked rice (for serving)

How to Make a Kippers Meal

The full printable recipe with measurements appears in the recipe block below.

A simple method to prepare a satisfying kippers bowl:

1. Cook rice and keep warm. For extra flavor, cook rice in chicken or bone broth with a pat of butter and a pinch of sea salt.
2. Place cooked rice into serving bowls (about one cup per bowl).
3. Open a tin of kippers and place the fish on top of the rice for each bowl.
4. Chop the parsley and combine it with the lemon zest, pulp, and juice.
5. Add the minced shallot to the parsley mixture.
6. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil into the herb mixture and stir to make a loose sauce.
7. Spoon the parsley-lemon sauce over the kippers and serve immediately.

Variations

If kippers aren’t your favorite, canned mackerel is an excellent substitute and works well with the same parsley-lemon sauce.

Recipe Tips

The tinned fish needs minimal prep. To boost the rice’s nutrition and flavor, cook it with:

• Chicken broth or bone broth
• A tablespoon of butter
• A pinch of sea salt

Storing and Reheating

This dish is best eaten fresh, but the parsley-lemon sauce stores well. Keep leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The sauce can also be frozen for up to two months; freezing may slightly change its texture.

How to Use Kippers in Other Ways

Kippers are versatile and can be enjoyed in several ways:

• Eaten straight from the tin as a quick protein-rich snack.
• Served on crackers with capers or a squeeze of lemon.
• Added to salads for extra flavor and protein.
• Sautéed in butter and served with toast and eggs for breakfast.

More Canned Fish Recipes

Canned fish stores well in a long-term pantry and is a nutritious pantry staple. Try other canned fish recipes for variety and convenience.

• Salmon patties made with canned salmon
• Sardine recipes using canned sardines
• Tuna boat-style dishes using canned tuna
• Classic tuna pie and similar economical main dishes

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Tinned Kippers Recipe

Prep: 10 mins  |  Cook: 0 mins  |  Total: 10 mins

Yield: 2 servings  |  Author: Mary Bryant Shrader  |  Rating: 5 from 1 vote

Here is a quick and easy recipe for a simple weeknight meal using tinned kippers.

Equipment

• 2 serving bowls

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice (see notes)
• 2 cans kippers (or canned mackerel)
• 1 bunch flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped, stems removed
• 1 large lemon, zest, juice, and pulp (remove seeds)
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 1/4–1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Put one cup of the cooked rice into each bowl.
2. Open the two cans of kippers.
3. Place the contents of one can of kippers over the rice in the first bowl, and the second can in the second bowl.
4. Mix parsley, lemon zest, juice, pulp, and shallot together until combined.
5. Add enough olive oil to the parsley mixture to form a loose sauce.
6. Top the kippers with the sauce and serve immediately. The dish is best enjoyed fresh.
7. Store any remaining sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Video

Notes

Preparing rice: To increase the nutrition and flavor of the rice, replace the cooking water with chicken broth or bone broth. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and a dash of sea salt, then cook as usual.

Find this recipe in the original post and video archive.

Copyright © 2023 Mary’s Nest, LLC, All Rights Reserved

Nutrition

Calories: 1144 kcal | Carbohydrates: 157 g | Protein: 44 g | Fat: 36 g

Saturated Fat: 6 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23 g

Cholesterol: 99 mg | Sodium: 502 mg | Potassium: 730 mg

Fiber: 5 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 2954 IU | Vitamin C: 69 mg

Calcium: 411 mg | Iron: 6 mg

Course: Main Dish | Cuisine: Americana | Keyword: kippers, tinned fish, tinned kippers

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Favorite Kitchen Supplies

• Favorite aprons and basic kitchen wear
• 10-piece glass bowl set
• High-quality olive oil
• Kipper snacks (tinned smoked herring)

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Recommended Reading

• The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
• The Modern Pioneer Pantry
• Nourishing Traditions