The Fishpeople are still around, but they’ve gone back to their tuna and crab roots. We were sad to see their dairy-free entrees and chowders go! For another option, try Safe Harvest Soups.
Hungry for something besides bars and cookies, Tony jumped at the chance to sample Fishpeople at an Expo West show. And though they do make some meals with dairy, we were elated to discover they had a whole line of creamy offerings specifically labeled as dairy-free!
The show floor was hectic, but the friendly Fishpeople staff didn’t hesitate to reach out to us and proudly share their company’s story. They were probably one of the happiest and most friendly booths we visited. That in itself says a lot about a company to me. (Note: for a hint at their humor, heed the request on the Fishpeople packaging to “check out our bottom”).
And honestly, there is a lot to love about Fishpeople. They are a certified B corporation with a commitment to sustainability – they even work direct with the fisherman who catch the wild seafood for their products and have traceable codes for the ingredients! Not to mention, their food tastes amazing and takes just 1 to 3 minutes to prepare right in the BPA-free pouch.
Tasting Notes for Fishpeople
At our time of review, they had four dairy-free varieties, each packed with some serious flavor:
Seafood Chili Blanco with Tuna, Sea Clams & Pink Shrimp
The “mild spice” in this one warms up to a delicious but potent heat – not too spicy, but definitely quite warming and flavorful. I’ve never had seafood with beans and can’t say that I loved that aspect, but it wasn’t a deterrent either. The beans do add some protein heft without detracting from the seafood flavor, for a clam chowder meets chili vibe. Overall, I found the taste to be cohesive and rich. Overall, a dish that was quite filling and fulfilling (especially at just 230 calories!). They added just the right amount of seafood, too – every bite had some fishy goodness!
Coconut Red Curry Seafood Bisque with Pink Shrimp & Albacore Tuna
This one is seriously bold with an addictively spicy taste. The thick tomato-like base has an interesting blend of fish chowder and red curry. There were generous amounts of tuna that are well-cooked, but still very good. Our only wish was for a little more shrimp – we had to fish for it.
Albacore Tuna in Yellow Coconut Curry Entree
I whipped up some rice and split this one with Tony, for which he was quite grateful. “I normally find yellow curry really harsh, but they hit it nicely with the flavor”, he proclaimed. Though labeled as medium on the spice scale, we found it relatively mild for a curry, but still full-flavored. The nice big chunks of tuna with a smattering of veggies rounded this one out for a seriously tasty little meal.
Albacore Tuna in Thai Coconut Lemongrass Entree
Since they are single-serve, I split this one with Tony, too, and served it over that rice I made. Also labeled as medium spice, this chunky, saucy entree was a little warmer, but still just a mild to medium heat. There was more of a focus on those amazing rich Thai flavors (hello wonderful lemongrass!) than spiciness.
The Facts on Fishpeople
Price: $5.99 per 7- to 10-ounce package
Certifications: Fishpeople is a Certified B Corporation.
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Fishpeople dairy-free entrees and soups are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, and select varieties are soy-free. Nonetheless, always read the ingredient statement and check with the company on their manufacturing processes for all varieties if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. Processes and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company / product.
For More Product Information: Visit the Fishpeople website at fishpeopleseafood.com.
Amazing flavors
The quality, the ease, the amazing flavors … it was a strong “like” before we even opened the packages and a definite “love” upon first bite. They use the best possible ingredients and it results in bold, rich, spicy, and fulfilling taste. We loved every dairy-free variety and how extremely fast they were to prepare. But sustainability, convenience and wild seafood does come at a premium. These entrees are a bit beyond our everyday budget, but fantastic for an occasional quick meal or travel option.
