These 20-minute Weeknight Salmon Tacos are insanely tasty, good for you, and simple to make! They are made with pan-seared salmon that has been rubbed with chili and topped with a fish taco slaw on warm corn or flour tortillas.
Want a quick, healthy, and easy taco recipe to make during the week? These salmon tacos are the way to go! The salmon fillets are seasoned with a simple chili spice rub, pan-fried, and then flakes before being piled on top of fresh corn tortillas.
To make each tortilla a little more crunchy and sour, I like to add a creamy fish taco slaw, sliced radishes, fresh cilantro leaves, and a squeeze of lime juice.
For the best weeknight meal ever, wash it all down with a cool skinny margarita.
Tacos are a beloved dish in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. The combination of warm tortillas, zesty fillings, and fresh toppings makes tacos an incredibly tasty and versatile meal. One of the most popular taco fillings is salmon. The flaky, fatty salmon pairs perfectly with the corn or flour tortillas and tangy taco toppings.
While fresh salmon works great did you know you can also use canned salmon for tacos? Canned fish allows you to enjoy salmon tacos even when fresh fish is not available or too expensive. But is it safe to can salmon at home to make fish tacos? And how does the texture and flavor compare to fresh salmon tacos?
In this guide. we’ll cover everything you need to know about canning salmon for tacos including
- Benefits of canning salmon for tacos
- Selecting salmon for canning
- Canning procedure and processing times
- How to use canned salmon in tacos
- Canned vs. fresh salmon tacos
- Safety tips for canning fish
Why Can Salmon for Tacos?
Canning salmon to make your own canned fish has several advantages:
Convenience – Canned salmon is pre-cooked so you can quickly make tacos without having to cook fresh fish. The salmon is ready to flake into tacos right from the jar.
Cost-effectiveness—If you buy salmon in bulk when prices are low, you can it for a lot less than if you bought fresh fillets when the season wasn’t right.
Accessibility – Enjoy salmon tacos year-round regardless of whether fresh fish is in season or available where you live. The canned fish provides a reliable source of salmon.
Custom flavors – Tailor the flavors by adding citrus, spices, or marinades to the jars before canning.
Long shelf life: Salmon canned at home can be kept for one to two years in a cool, dark place. Once opened, store in the fridge and use within a week.
Control over quality – You can ensure the salmon is high quality and canned properly with no preservatives when you DIY.
Choosing Salmon for Canning Tacos
Make sure to start with fresh, sushi-grade salmon if you will be home canning it. Avoid using spoiled or lower quality fish.
For canning, choose fattier salmon like:
- Sockeye salmon
- Coho salmon
- Pink salmon
The extra fat helps the salmon retain moisture and flavor during the canning process.
Other tips for selecting salmon to can:
- Pick fillets without bones or skin for easy flaking
- Choose uniform sized pieces to ensure even cooking
- Inspect that the flesh is firm and shiny, not dull or mushy
Freezing salmon for 1-2 weeks before canning also helps kill any potential parasites.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Canning Salmon
Follow these steps for safely canning salmon fillets at home:
1. Prepare the salmon
Rinse the fillets and pat dry. Cut into uniform pieces about 1 inch thick.
If desired, add citrus slices, spices, or marinades to the jars for extra flavor.
2. Fill the jars
Pack the salmon pieces tightly into clean mason jars, leaving 1-inch headspace at the top. The fish will shrink during processing so avoid overstuffing.
Wipe the jar rims clean and seal with the lids and rings.
3. Process the jars
Place a rack at the bottom of a large pot and add enough water to cover the jar tops by 1 to 2 inches.
Once the water reaches a boil, use a jar lifter to gently lower the filled jars into the pot.
Process pint jars for 100 minutes at 10 PSI pressure. For quart jars, increase to 110 minutes.
4. Cool and test the seals
Turn off the heat and allow the pressure to fully drop before opening the canner. Let the jars cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours.
Check that the jar lids sealed properly by pressing down on the center. It should not pop up and down if correctly vacuum sealed.
Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 2 years.
Using Canned Salmon in Tacos
Canned salmon is an easy, tasty filling for fish tacos.
Drain the salmon and fork-flake the chunks into a bowl, discarding any bones or skin.
For the best texture, avoid over-mashing the salmon. Keep the pieces in large flaky chunks.
Spoon the salmon into warm corn or flour tortillas and add your favorite taco toppings like cabbage slaw, pico de gallo, avocado, Cotija cheese, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
The canned fish can also be used in:
- Salmon salad or salmon cakes
- Salmon pasta or pizza
- Salmon dip or salmon patties
- Salmon omelets or frittatas
Store opened canned salmon in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 5 days.
How Does Canned Salmon Compare to Fresh?
Canned salmon has a slightly different texture and appearance than fresh cooked salmon. Here are some of the differences:
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Color – Canned salmon has a more uniform orange-pink color while fresh salmon flakes are more variegated.
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Texture – Canned fish is firmer and dense vs. the tender, velvety flakes of poached fresh salmon.
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Flavor – The canning process softens the salmon’s flavor. Canned has a milder salmon taste compared to fresh.
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Moisture level – Canned salmon is drier while fresh salmon retains more natural oils and moisture.
So while not identical, canned salmon still has excellent flavor and nutrients. With the right seasonings and toppings, canned fish tacos can be just as delicious as fresh.
Tips for Safe Canning of Fish
Because fish is a low-acid food, it requires pressure canning to kill bacteria and safely preserve it. Follow these tips:
- Use a pressure canner, NOT a water bath canner
- Always validate the dial gauge annually for accuracy
- Closely follow validated recipes and proper processing times
- Allow the canner to fully depressurize before opening
- Check jar seals and look for signs of spoilage before eating
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place up to 2 years
Take care when pressure canning and follow all guidelines to avoid potential risks of botulism poisoning. Only make recipes from trusted sources.
Enjoy Fabulous Salmon Tacos with Canned Fish
With the proper technique, canning salmon at home lets you safely preserve fresh fish to enjoy budget-friendly salmon tacos any time. Pressure canning locks in the flavor and texture remarkably well compared to other preservation methods.
While the canned texture is slightly different than fresh poached salmon, the convenience of ready-to-flake fish straight from the jar makes home canned salmon an awesome option for fish tacos.
How to make salmon tacos
Put salt, pepper, chili powder, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Mix them together to make the salmon dry rub. Generously rub this mixture into the flesh side of each salmon fillet.
Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet. Cook the salmon skin side down until it’s crispy and browned. Turn the fillets over and cook for three to four more minutes, or until the meat is opaque and flaky.
After cooking the salmon, put it on a plate and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, use two forks to break up the meat into big pieces. If you don’t want to eat the crispy salmon skin, you can take it off and throw it away before flaking the salmon.
Then spoon it into your warm tortillas and top with slaw, chopped cilantro, sliced radishes, and lime wedges.
Salmon Tacos Recipe | Best Salmon Taco You Will Ever Taste
FAQ
What fish is best for tacos?
How to make canned salmon taste better?
How do you eat salmon tacos?
Flake the salmon from each filet into two tortillas. Alternatively, you can flake the salmon into a large serving bowl for an “assemble-your-own-taco” type of night. Assemble the tacos. Drizzle with salsa verde and chipotle sauce. Top with shredded cabbage. Then squeeze some fresh lime juice on top before serving! What to serve with salmon tacos?
Is taco salad healthy to eat?
Taco is a Mexican dish consisting of rolled tortilla filled with various mixtures like seasoned minced chicken or beans. Taco salad is very healthy its high in protein and fiber as it is topped with cheese, nuts, sprouts or legumes and dressed with oil. It form a very light complete meal.
What are salmon tacos?
These salmon tacos are a spin on the idea of a fish taco, but the fish is blackened instead of battered. They’re nestled in a tortilla with a bright green avocado lime sauce that’s the epitome of tangy, creamy flavor. Here are the elements you’ll need:
Are salmon fish tacos healthy?
Healthy Dinner. These salmon fish tacos are healthy and full of nutrients. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are important to heart and brain health. This recipe also utilizes avocado, protein-packed Greek yogurt, and a slaw made from nutritious vegetables. “You are my hero! These are incredible. So easy and the flavor is remarkable.”