20 Affordable Fish Worth Buying

Good seafood does not have to empty your wallet. With smart picks and simple cooking, you can enjoy rich flavor, great nutrition, and weeknight convenience without stress. This list highlights budget friendly fish that cook beautifully with pantry staples and minimal fuss. Dive in and find new favorites you will make again and again.

1. Canned Tuna (Light)

Light canned tuna is a weeknight hero when time and money are tight. You get lean protein, versatility, and a long shelf life, so nothing goes to waste. Stir it into pasta, fold into tacos, or build a classic tuna melt that hits every comfort note.

Choose tuna packed in water for lighter salads, or oil for richer mouthfeel. Add lemon, capers, and cracked pepper to lift the flavor instantly. You will appreciate how reliably it pairs with pantry ingredients, turning a quick lunch into something satisfying.

2. Tilapia

Tilapia is mild, budget friendly, and forgiving, making it perfect when you want dinner fast. Its neutral flavor welcomes spice rubs, citrus, and garlic butter, so you can steer it in any direction. Bake, pan sear, or air fry for flaky results without fuss.

Press bread crumbs onto the fillets for crunch and serve with coleslaw or rice. You will love how tilapia plays well with bold sauces like chimichurri or buffalo. It is a smart staple that helps you cook confidently on busy nights.

3. Pollock

Pollock delivers flaky texture and a clean taste at a friendly price. It is the backbone of many fish sticks and fast casual fillet sandwiches, proving its crowd pleasing reliability. Bake or shallow fry to keep things lean while still enjoying crunch.

Try a quick beer batter on weekends, then switch to spiced panko on weeknights. Pollock takes well to garlic, paprika, and lemon zest, keeping flavors fresh. If you love classic fish and chips, pollock makes the experience accessible without sacrificing satisfaction.

4. Pacific Cod

Pacific cod is a flaky white fish with a delicate sweetness that suits simple cooking. It bakes beautifully with butter, lemon, and dill, turning tender without much effort. You will appreciate its consistent texture that resists overcooking better than many options.

Cod tacos with cabbage and crema keep things fresh, while a crispy breadcrumb topping adds welcome crunch. It freezes well, so you can stock up during sales. For anyone chasing a restaurant style result on a budget, cod delivers reliable elegance.

5. Canned Salmon (Pink)

Pink canned salmon brings omega 3s and deep flavor for less than fresh fillets. Mash with yogurt, mustard, and herbs for salmon cakes that crisp up beautifully. You get weeknight speed with weekend level satisfaction, especially when served with a bright slaw.

Do not fear the bones; they mash easily and add calcium. Turn leftovers into a protein packed bowl with rice and pickled veggies. You will like how pantry friendly it is, letting you build nourishing meals without repeated grocery runs.

6. Mackerel (Canned)

Canned mackerel is richly flavored and packed with omega 3s, perfect when you want something robust. Its meaty texture stands up to strong partners like roasted peppers, olives, and harissa. Flake it onto toast, toss into pasta, or fold into a hearty salad.

Because it is oily, acidity matters; use lemon, vinegar, or pickles to brighten every bite. You will love how satisfying it feels compared to lighter tuna. Budget friendly, shelf stable, and nutritionally dense, mackerel makes weekday eating feel intentional and bold.

7. Sardines (Canned)

Sardines bring big flavor, nutrients, and value in one tidy tin. Eat them straight with lemon and cracked pepper, or mash into a spread with capers and herbs. They are satisfying on toast, tucked into pasta, or layered in a quick Mediterranean bowl.

Look for versions packed in olive oil for richness or tomato sauce for brightness. You will notice how filling they are, especially paired with crunchy greens. For travelers and busy weeks, sardines deliver portable, affordable seafood that tastes far more expensive than it is.

8. Hake

Hake offers a delicate flake and mild flavor that adapts to many cuisines. It is often priced lower than premium white fish, yet cooks up beautifully. Sear in a hot pan, finish with butter and herbs, and you will get gentle layers that separate cleanly.

Hake loves light sauces like lemon caper or a garlicky aioli. It also works nicely in stews and chowders thanks to its structure. When you want tender results without fuss, hake is a smart, wallet friendly pick.

9. Catfish (Farmed)

Farmed catfish stays budget friendly and delivers a pleasing, mild flavor. The classic cornmeal crust gives crunch while keeping the inside moist and flaky. Serve with slaw, hushpuppies, or a simple salad for a complete comfort meal.

Blackened catfish is another easy route; a quick spice rub and hot pan do wonders. You will appreciate how forgiving it is, perfect for newer cooks. With responsible sourcing, farmed catfish provides dependable texture and familiar, crowd pleasing taste without overspending.

10. Whiting

Whiting is a classic budget fish with delicate flesh and a lightly sweet taste. It fries beautifully in a simple seasoned flour, delivering crisp edges and tender centers. You can also bake it with herbs and butter for a lighter approach.

Try it in sandwiches with tartar sauce, shredded lettuce, and pickles. When you need quick seafood that satisfies, whiting performs consistently. It is an approachable option for families, especially if you are easing someone into fish with a mild profile.

11. Anchovies (Canned)

Anchovies are tiny powerhouses that transform sauces and dressings for pennies. Melt a fillet in olive oil, add garlic and chili, and you have instant depth. They disappear into tomato sauces, Caesar dressing, or puttanesca, boosting savory notes without overwhelming.

On pizza or toast with butter and lemon, they deliver a salty, luxurious kick. A little goes a long way, so one tin stretches across multiple meals. You will love how they unlock restaurant style flavor at home while keeping costs low.

12. Swai (Basa)

Swai, also called basa, is a gentle tasting fish that takes on seasoning easily. It is inexpensive and cooks fast, making it ideal for sheet pan dinners. Add garlic butter, paprika, and lemon slices, then roast alongside vegetables for minimal cleanup.

Because it is mild, bold sauces like curry or salsa verde shine. You will appreciate how tender it stays even if you slightly overcook it. For cost conscious home cooks, swai offers dependable results and easy weeknight wins.

13. Herring (Pickled or Canned)

Herring is affordable and flavorful, available pickled, smoked, or canned. It brings a pleasant richness that pairs beautifully with rye bread, onions, and dill. For quick lunches, layer herring on buttered toast with mustard, then add crunchy cucumbers.

In salads, its tangy brine lifts potatoes and herbs with minimal effort. You will enjoy how satisfying it feels compared to lighter white fish. If you appreciate bold, old world flavors, herring delivers tradition, nutrition, and value in every bite.

14. Frozen Shrimp (Medium)

Frozen medium shrimp are a freezer staple that make dinner feel special without splurging. They thaw quickly under cold water and cook in minutes, perfect for busy nights. Toss with garlic, chili, and lemon, then finish with parsley for a bright skillet meal.

Use them in stir fries, tacos, or pastas to stretch a bag across several meals. You will love their versatility and reliable texture when handled gently. Keep a bag on hand and you are always one step from a crowd pleaser.

15. Alaskan Keta Salmon (Chum)

Keta, or chum salmon, is typically more affordable than sockeye yet still flavorful. It shines when cooked gently to preserve moisture, like baking with yogurt or mayo. Add herbs, lemon, and a quick broil for color without drying the fish.

Use leftovers in rice bowls or flake into a hearty salad with beans. You will appreciate the salmon character at a friendlier price point. When cravings call for salmon, keta offers a smart balance of cost, flavor, and nutrition.

16. Smelt

Smelt are small, inexpensive fish that fry up into addictive, crunchy snacks. Dust with flour, salt, and pepper, then fry quickly until golden. Eat them whole, bones and all, for a satisfying, briny bite that pairs well with cold beer.

A squeeze of lemon and a dollop of garlicky aioli complete the experience. You will love how quickly a big plate comes together for sharing. For parties or casual dinners, smelt deliver big fun without a big bill.

17. Atlantic Mackerel (Fresh)

Fresh Atlantic mackerel is intensely flavorful and usually priced well. Its rich, oily flesh loves high heat, so grill or broil until the skin blisters. Balance the boldness with lemon, herbs, and something crunchy, like fennel or cucumber.

Mackerel is also excellent escabeche style, marinated after a quick fry. You will appreciate how deeply satisfying a small portion feels. If you want memorable flavor on a modest budget, this fish punches way above its cost.

18. Saithe (Coley)

Saithe, also known as coley, is a budget friendly member of the cod family. It handles frying, baking, and curries with equal confidence. Expect a slightly stronger flavor than cod, which works beautifully with mustard, lemon, and herbs.

For fish pies or chowders, saithe holds shape without turning mushy. You will like the value, especially when buying larger fillets to portion and freeze. It is a dependable choice whenever you crave flaky white fish without premium pricing.

19. Pacific Saury (Sanma)

Pacific saury, or sanma, offers rich, seasonal flavor at a wallet friendly cost. Grill it whole until the skin crisps and the interior turns silky. Serve with grated daikon, soy, and lemon for balance that cuts through the oiliness.

It is a staple of simple Japanese home cooking, great over rice with miso soup. You will appreciate the satisfying depth from such a small fish. When you want bold taste and minimal prep, sanma delivers beautifully.

20. Canned Clams

Canned clams turn pantry pasta into a restaurant worthy meal quickly. Sauté garlic in olive oil, splash in white wine, then add clams and their juice. Toss with linguine, parsley, and lemon for an impressive dish that costs surprisingly little.

They also boost chowders and pizzas, bringing briny sweetness without extra work. Keep a can around and you are always minutes from something special. You will love how they stretch across recipes while staying reliably affordable.