The Fishwife Cookbook
Tinned fish has gone from pantry afterthought to culinary darling—and The Fishwife Cookbook is leading the wave. From the beloved brand Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co., this cookbook is equal parts playful, practical, and powerful in its argument for making tinned fish a star ingredient. Whether you’re hosting a cocktail party or whipping up a solo lunch, this book redefines convenience food with style and substance.
I received this book for free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. While I haven't cooked from this book, I evaluated its usability, recipe structure, and overall appeal.
I've been a tinned fish fan for basically my whole life. A love of sardines, herrings and smoked sprats (I had to look up how to translate 'shproti' for this post) were a gift from my parents that I value greatly. I just love the idea of this book and how easy the recipes are.
Author
This cookbook comes from the Fishwife team, with Becca Millstein (co-founder of Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co.) at the helm. Fishwife has made a splash in recent years with ethically sourced, wild-caught or responsibly farmed tinned seafood with each tin wrapped in their now-iconic, art-forward packaging. Millstein is as much a tastemaker as she is a food visionary, making waves across media including Bon Appétit, Eater, and the sustainable seafood scene.
Audience
If you’re a fan of stylish food, fun storytelling, and fast prep times, this one’s for you. It’s perfect for modern eaters who love bold flavors, those who want to eat more seafood without the stress, and anyone who appreciates a cookbook with a strong personality. City-dwelling foodies, picnic-lovers, and creative home cooks will all find something to love here.
Mission
The Fishwife Cookbook champions sustainability, accessibility, and joy. At its heart, it’s about reclaiming the convenience of tinned fish in a way that feels fresh, elevated, and surprisingly luxurious. The book showcases how quality ingredients and a sense of humor can turn even the simplest pantry staple into a satisfying, elegant dish. It’s also a love letter to mindful sourcing and the communities of fisherfolk behind each tin.
Standout and Unique Features
- Occasion-based chapters like Just a Quickie, Picnic in the Park, and Hosting a Cocktail Party make it easy to find the right recipe for your mood.
- Educational sidebars like “How to Pack a Perfect Picnic” and the “Tinned Fish Beverage Companion Guide” add unexpected depth.
- Signature Fishwife artwork brings a colorful, whimsical touch to the page, making it feel more like a lifestyle manifesto than a traditional cookbook.
- Creative recipes that use tinned fish in surprising ways—from deviled eggs to lamb bolognese.
What I liked
- The voice is smart, sassy, and informed—just like the Fishwife brand itself.
- Many recipes are quick and flexible, making them easy to adapt.
- The aesthetic is unmatched: gorgeous photography + quirky illustrations = total visual treat.
- Strong focus on responsible sourcing and sustainability without being preachy.
What I Wish It Had
- The brand-forward nature of the book means it leans heavily into the Fishwife product line, which might limit substitutions for some readers.
FAQ
Everything from breakfasts to dinners, snacks to picnic spreads. Expect bold, bright, globally inspired dishes.
Absolutely—many of the recipes are designed to be super quick and low-effort. Since you don't have to cook the fish, it's a really great cookbook to get more into quick and simple scratch cooking- just make sure you use high-quality tinned fish!
This is a basics-plus book. The techniques are approachable, but the flavor profiles are sophisticated.
Beautiful! Full of high-quality photography and playful illustrations that match the Fishwife vibe.
Nope—just your standard kitchen gear.
You’ll need specific tinned fish (especially if you want to use Fishwife’s own), but many recipes offer flexibility. There are also some more unique pantry ingredients (furikake, Kew-pie mayo
Many recipes come together in 10–30 minutes. Even the more involved dishes are streamlined.
No, this book doesn’t include nutritional info.
Some are! But it skews toward adult palates—think sardines with charred lemon or cocktails with anchovies.
It’s a standalone, but very much tied to the Fishwife brand.
Yes! It’s got a ton of personality, voicey intros, and fun tips—it’s a good sit-down-and-savor kind of cookbook.
A keeper—especially if you’re already on the tinned fish train.
Standout Recipes
Hand roll with smoked salmon, avocado and cucumber; Smoked Mackerel Udon; Tinned Smoked Salmon Dip; Sardine Fritto Misto; Lamb Bolognese with Anchovies; Rainbow Trout Tacos with Peach & Tomato Salsa
Best Recipes for Different Occasions
- Weeknight Dinner: Smoked Mackerel Udon
- Entertaining: Sardine Fritto Misto with Charred Lemon
- Solo Lunch: Just a Quickie Tuna Toast
- Sunday Brunch: Tinned Salmon + Egg Toast Stack
- Picnic Pick: Fisherman’s Stew (in a thermos!) or Trout Tacos
Final Verdict: A Permanent Addition?
The Fishwife Cookbook isn’t just a clever brand extension, it’s a true celebration of creative cooking, sustainability, and having fun with food. If you’re looking for a cookbook that reinvents pantry staples and does it with flair, this one deserves a permanent spot on your shelf (right next to the olive oil and sardines).
It also makes a thoughtful hostess gift or birthday present for the foodie friend in your life (the one who’s always discovering new flavors, curating cheese boards, or bringing unexpected gourmet treats to the party). Grab a copy of the book, a couple pretty tins of fish and maybe a unique cheese spreader to bundle together.
