Anchovies now come packed in various ways, including in jars. A jar of anchovies can be of varying sizes and weights. However, most people are familiar with anchovies in a can. A typical can of anchovies is 2 ounces. You may also need ingredient conversions for anchovy paste if you are substituting it for canned or fillets. Here are the typical yields so you can find out how many anchovies a 2-oz can contains, as well as other variations.
Typical Anchovy Yield for Ingredient Conversion
Depending on how your recipe lists the amount of anchovies to use, these conversations can help you figure out how much to buy or use when substituting one form of anchovies for another.
- A 2-oz can of anchovies = 10 to 12 anchovies
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste = 2 fillets
- 2-oz tube of anchovy paste = 4 tbsp
What are Anchovies?
Anchovies are fish of the family Engraulidae, which is comprised of about 140 species. Found in all the world’s warm oceans, they are small fish commonly known as ‘forage’ fish since they are eaten by larger fish, sea birds, and mammals.
These fish have long been used for various culinary purposes. There are several commercial species but the most famous for cooking is Engraulis encrasicolus, better known as the Mediterranean or European anchovy. They are found in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and the warmer waters off the East Atlantic coasts.
Originally, anchovies were salted and sold from barrels but today they are jarred or canned. They are used to give dishes a distinctive salty flavor.
Usually in small quantities, anchovies are added to pizzas, pasta, and many other dishes. They are an important ingredient in the dressing for Caesar salad and are a part of Worcestershire sauce and many other fish sauces, as well as French remoulade.
Anchovies can be used anywhere a salty umami or savory flavor is desired and as long as small enough amounts are used, there should not be any noticeable fishiness. However, some are more sensitive to the flavor than others and may scoff at the additions of this strongly flavored preserved fish.
