There are a lot of tasty fish that could be the star of your home-cooked meal, from tuna to cod, tilapia to catfish, and a lot more. However, all of these fish arguably take the backseat when it comes to salmon. According to National Geographic, salmon is the most popular type of fish in the U. S. , with Americans consuming 450,000 tons of it yearly. Its unsurprising, as salmon is beloved for its versatility. You can pan-roast, bake, grill, or even eat fish raw. Needless to say, this makes it a bit difficult to get bored of the fish!.
Salmon also provides a number of health benefits. Healthline says it has a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which help with many things, like lowering the risk of cancer and reducing inflammation. Salmon is also loaded with protein, which assists with functions like healing the body and weight management.
Unfortunately, salmon isnt without its faults. A common problem with salmon is pin bones. According to the Alaskan Salmon Company, pin bones are not really bones at all; they’re calcified nerve endings that can be found all over a salmon filet. Nevertheless, these nerve endings feel like bones and can ruin a filet if not dealt with properly.
Salmon is one of the most popular fish around In fact, salmon is the second most consumed seafood in the United States after shrimp There’s good reason for salmon’s popularity – it’s delicious, nutritious, and versatile. You can bake it, grill it, poach it, even eat it raw as sashimi or in poke bowls.
However, when you eat a lovely salmon fillet, you might notice some little, thin bones in the meat. What are these bones? Should you take the time to remove them before eating, or can you eat around them? Most importantly, is it safe to eat salmon pin bones if you swallow one?
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about the pin bones in salmon including
- What are salmon pin bones?
- Are salmon pin bones actually bones?
- Can you eat salmon pin bones?
- Are salmon pin bones safe to eat?
- How to remove pin bones from salmon
- Tips for preventing pin bones in salmon
What Are Salmon Pin Bones?
Salmon pin bones are the small, thin, flesh-colored bones you’ll often find when preparing a salmon fillet. Pin bones run horizontally along the fillet in a row. They are typically quite small, between 1 to 2 inches long.
Pin bones get their name because they resemble pins or needles. In fact, some people call them “needle bones.” They are located throughout the flesh of the salmon, embedded close to the skin.
So what are these mysterious bones? And why do salmon have them in the first place?
Are Salmon Pin Bones Actually Bones?
It might come as a surprise, but salmon pin bones aren’t really bones. Instead, they are mineralized collagen fibers or calcified nerve endings. They contain calcium deposits that make them hard and bone-like.
Salmon develop these collagen “bones” during their lifecycle for an important reason. The pin bones contain nerve endings that help the fish sense vibrations and movements in the water. This allows salmon to detect predators and prey.
So while we think of them as bones when we eat salmon, pin bones serve an important sensory purpose when the fish is swimming in lakes and oceans.
Now that we understand what salmon pin bones really are, let’s explore the big question…
Can You Eat Salmon Pin Bones?
Many home cooks carefully remove every single pin bone before cooking their salmon fillets. So can you just leave them in? Are salmon pin bones safe to eat or will they hurt you?
The answer is – yes, you can eat salmon pin bones!
Since the bones are soft, thin, and flexible, they can usually be chewed up and swallowed easily. Your stomach acid can break down these small collagen fibers, so pin bones generally don’t cause any problems for most people.
In fact, salmon pin bones are routinely eaten in many parts of the world, especially by Indigenous cultures that have fished salmon for centuries.
Pin bones are even rich in nutrients like calcium, iron, omega-3s, and vitamins. So if you accidentally swallow a few, there’s no need to stress. You likely just got a dose of extra nutrients!
However, there are a few precautions to keep in mind when it comes to eating pin bones:
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Choking hazard: While very rare, a pin bone could potentially lodge in your throat, causing discomfort or choking. Take care when chewing salmon with bones.
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Digestive issues: If you have digestive troubles, the sharp ends of pin bones may irritate your stomach lining when swallowed. Removing them ahead could be wise.
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For children/elderly: Pin bones pose a greater choking risk to those with smaller throats or poor teeth. Take extra care preparing salmon for certain groups.
So while most healthy adults can likely tolerate eating salmon pin bones, you may choose to remove them as a safety precaution. But if one slips by, no need to panic!
Next, let’s look at the best methods for removing pin bones from your salmon fillets.
How to Remove Pin Bones From Salmon
Removing salmon pin bones takes just a few minutes. Here are two simple methods you can use:
Method 1: Using Tweezers or Pliers
Supplies Needed:
- Tweezers or needle nose pliers
- Sharp knife (optional)
Instructions:
- Lay the salmon fillet skin-side down on a cutting board. Run your fingers lightly over the flesh to feel for pin bones.
- Once you locate the row of bones, grasp an individual bone with tweezers or pliers as close to the tip as possible.
- Pull gently in the direction the bone runs to slide it out. Be careful not to tear the delicate flesh.
- Repeat down the length of the fillet to remove all pin bones. Use a sharp knife to help loosen bones if needed.
- Rinse the salmon and pat dry. It’s now ready to cook and serve. Enjoy your bone-free fish!
Method 2: Using a Spoon
Supplies Needed:
- Spoon
- Paper towel
Instructions:
- Lay the salmon skin-side down on a paper towel. Run your fingers along the top of the fillet to locate pin bones.
- Press down firmly along the bones with the back of a spoon. The pressure will help loosen the bones and push them partially out of the flesh.
- Grab the partially exposed ends with your fingers. Gently pull to remove the bones in one swift motion.
- Repeat down the fillet until all pin bones have been removed.
- Give the salmon a quick rinse and pat it dry before cooking as desired.
That’s it – two easy ways to DIY removing those tricky salmon bones!
Tips to Prevent Pin Bones in Salmon
Wondering if you can buy salmon without pin bones? Here are some tips:
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Buy center-cut fillets: The narrow center section will have fewer bones. Or purchase fillets labeled “pin-bone out.”
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Purchase salmon steaks: Thicker steak-style cuts contain fewer difficult-to-remove bones.
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Buy skinless: Removing the skin ahead of time also eliminates some embedded bones.
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Ask your fishmonger: They may be able to fully de-bone fillets or recommend high-quality boneless products.
Hopefully now you feel empowered to handle pin bones like a pro! Time to go cook up a delicious, nutritious salmon dinner. Even if a few extra “bones” slip by, don’t sweat it – just savor the omega-3-rich flavor.
Pin bones are a choking hazard
Though it seems a bit unusual, pin bones are actually edible, according to the Alaskan Salmon Company. Like salmon, theyre nutrient-rich and healthy for you. However, eating pin bones does come with risks. If you choose to leave them in your salmon filet, one could easily become stuck in your throat, causing you to choke. According to Healthline, there are some actions you can take if you get a pin bone stuck in your throat, such as swallowing one to two tablespoons of olive oil or taking a bite of a banana.
That being said, its probably best just to avoid the risk of choking on pin bones altogether by removing them from your salmon filet. Theres a quick and easy method for this — all youll need is a pair of tweezers or pliers. Per the Wild Alaskan Company, the first step in pin bone removal is locating the pin bones. You can do this by pressing down on the salmon filet, causing the pin bones to stick up. After finding the pin bones, simply use pliers or tweezers to pull them from the filet. Do not pull the pin bones in an upward or opposite direction, as this can damage your filet and make it look less appealing.
“How-To” Salmon Fillet AND Removing Pin-Bones
FAQ
Is it okay to eat pin bones in salmon?
Can you swallow small salmon bones?
What are the tiny bones in salmon?
Can you eat pin bones in salmon?
With regards to the question of whether or not the pin bones in Salmon can be eaten, we shall approach it in the following way. It has been said that the pin bones in Salmon are soft and flexible and that they are digestible too. That however does not mean that they do not pose a choking hazard.
Is eating salmon beneficial?
Salmon is beneficial for health and is part of a healthy and balanced diet. Salmon has vitamin D, healthy fats, calcium, selenium, iodine, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and protein.
Are salmon pin bones edible?
Only in rare cases are pin bones problematic. They’re soft, thin, and flexible, and can be relatively easily digested by your stomach acid. Truth is, pin bones are totally edible! In fact, in many parts of the world, salmon pin bones are eaten on a routine basis. They’re known to be rich in a variety of nutrients, especially calcium and iron.
Do you pull out pin bones before cooking salmon?
Pull out the pin bones before you cook your salmon. Here’s how to do it quickly and easily. What are pin bones? Pin bones are long, thin, needle-like bones that run along the length of a salmon fillet. In fact, they’re not bones at all — they’re calcified nerve endings that salmon use to sense other salmon swimming in close proximity.
Are salmon pin bones dangerous?
While Salmon pin bones are supposedly soft and flexible, that does not mean that these bones are not dangerous to consume as they can be potential choking hazards. One way to prevent such choking incidents is by getting your Salmon deboned at the place you purchase it from.
Why do salmon need pin bones?
The salmon need them because it helps them sense other salmon swimming close by. If you use your fingers, you might be able to feel a line of pin bones just under the surface of a filet. They’re about one or two inches long, and you should be able to feel them sticking out.