Ever since canned fish was deemed the unofficial "Hot Girl" food of summer 2022, this convenient snack has continued to trend across our social media feeds. If you haven't jumped on the canned fish bandwagon yet, you should know that it's not too late. Like its shelf life, the cultural relevance of canned fish seems to be almost imperishable. Its latest entry in our feed may be the cutest one yet. Enter: canned fish date night.
The trend started with creator and chef @alihooke's healthy TikTok series, who shared that she and her husband have made it a tradition to celebrate "date night with canned fish" every Friday. After posting her first canned fish date night video on July 27, it quickly racked up more than 15,200 views. Soon after, the video inspired the latest niche trend in foodie TikTok. Followers began asking Hook for canned fish recommendations and began posting variations of their canned fish date night snack boards. The #tinnedfish hashtag has now reached 8.1 million views on TikTok, while the trending #tinnedfishdatenight has 7.4 million views.
Part of the reason for this trend's viral popularity may be its sheer simplicity. All TikTokers need to recreate canned fish night is a few cans of seafood , other snacks of their choice, and something to enjoy with a partner (or friends). Think of it like a charcuterie board, but with some salty cured fish instead of cured meat. Many users are They pair fish with bread, olives, pickles, and other fruits and vegetables. For a fine seafood meal, it's actually pretty easy to pull off.
Whether you're eager to plan your own canned fish date night or have never tried canned fish in your life, here's everything you need to know about the health trend.
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What is canned fish?
According to the various flavors of TikTokers, canned fish date night is indeed what you make of it. Of course, the most critical thing is the canned fish itself. If you're not familiar with this dish, it's exactly what it sounds like: some form of seafood, usually preserved in oil and sealed in a can. According to Thrillist , canned fish was invented in France in the 1700s to ensure sailors had safe access to nutrients while traveling. Today, some of the most popular canned fish brands include Fishwife, Nuri, and Patagonia Provisions. Sorry, Chicken of the Sea. People still can't tell if you have chicken or tuna.
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How to Make a Canned Fish Date Night Plate
The most common star of Hooker's canned fish board seems to be the canned mussels, as they appear in nearly all of her videos. However, Hook (and her canned fish date night protégés) curate a variety of canned fish on their snack board, from clams to tuna fillets to calamari. Although there are many canned fish which can be a bit pricey (Fishwife's three-pack of smoked salmon is $32.99.) The best part about canned fish date night is that it can be done easily with budget-friendly options. Below, user @t_tiks shows how they planned an entire canned fish date night for under $30, while still stocking their table with a variety of cheeses, canned mussels, and hot honey.
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Most canned fish date night enthusiasts use bread as a conduit for canned fish. You can also add a base like cheese or a garnish like pickles or olives. Of course, as one usually does with seafood, many opt for a glass of chilled wine to slurp it all down. (Or, better yet, why not pair it with a savory cocktail like the TikTok Viral Pickle Martini?)
If eating canned fish straight from the can doesn't seem like your thing, you can always use canned fish as a creative way to up your cooking game. You can use canned mackerel to upgrade pasta, potato salad, or even pizza. Opt for a tuna salad for a convenient dip or as the base for a sandwich. Fish cakes are an easy weeknight dinner you can make with canned sardines. The possibilities are endless, so date night awaits.
