I’ve never bought salmon in a can before (and I never will!) but I thought it would be like tuna in a can—no skin or bones. I had both with the salmon, and there were even some vertebrae in there as a bonus! It wasn’t a value tin or anything; it was from a well-known fish tinned company. It turned me off completely, and I’m now eating a cheese sandwich instead. so AIBU?.
Yes, a teeny bit. Salmon always has bones in it in tins, one reason why I dont use them. ugh!.
but why isnt it like tuna? they get the bones and skin out for that. If all of them taste like this, I will never buy another tin! Also, it should say somewhere on the tin that it contains bones, right? ugh
I made the same mistake. I thought it was going to be just like tuna too.
You are being a bit unreasonable, always bones in tinned salmon. It doesn’t matter if there are still bits in the salmon after you mash it; they are so soft that you won’t even notice. And very good for you.
yabu fish have bones! tuna has a completely different makeup, so no bones. even my 4 yr old knows how to manage a piece of fish with bones. (my mil hates bones,skin or anything that reminds her it is from an animal. makes me grr. i may be misdirecting some of that frustration here. ).
ugh, there were vertebrae in there! I have enough vertebrae on my own without having to eat some from a fish.
completely unreasonable! Theyre the best bit, imo. After being canned, the bones are completely safe to eat and are a great source of calcium because they are so soft and easy to break down. Next time, just mash it all together. Once it’s mashed, you won’t even be able to find the bones. You could also buy salmon without bones or skin, but that would mean you wouldn’t get as much calcium, vitamin D, and good oils.
It makes me sick to think about the time my grandmother made me eat salmon bones even though she said they were good for me. I still can’t touch tinned salmon. Makes me feel sick just thinking about it!.
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Canned salmon is a pantry staple for many people. It’s tasty, nutritious and versatile, making it a convenient protein source to have on hand. But when you open a can of salmon, you may notice small bones and dark pink skin mixed in with the fish. This leads to the question – does canned salmon have bones?
The short answer is yes. Most canned salmon contains soft, edible bones. The salmon bones are pressure cooked during the canning process, which makes them very soft. It is safe to eat the bones in canned salmon, and they add extra nutrients like calcium.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the bones and skin in canned salmon, including:
- Why the bones are soft
- Nutritional benefits of eating the bones
- How to remove bones if desired
- Types of canned salmon with and without bones
- Canned salmon skin – should you eat it?
- Is canned salmon safe for babies and young children?
Why Are The Bones In Canned Salmon Soft?
Fresh salmon bones are small, thin and very sharp. Obviously, you wouldn’t want to be eating those!
This is how the bones in canned salmon become safe to eat: they are cooked until they are very hot.
Canned salmon undergoes a thermal process where the fish and cans are cooked under high pressure This simultaneously cooks the salmon while killing any potential bacteria for long term shelf stability.
The high heat softens the salmon’s bones through collagen breakdown, making them pliable. The bones almost dissolve into the fish, giving canned salmon a paste-like texture.
Nutritional Benefits Of Consuming Salmon Bones
Many people discard the bones when eating canned salmon However, leaving them in provides some nutritional upside
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Calcium: The soft bones contain highly concentrated calcium, moreso than the salmon flesh. Calcium is essential for bone health.
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Vitamin D: Salmon flesh contains vitamin D. Consuming vitamin D with calcium improves calcium absorption.
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Phosphorus: Salmon bones also provide the mineral phosphorus, which works with calcium to strengthen bones.
Eating the bones turns canned salmon into an excellent source of calcium. A 3 oz serving of canned salmon with bones contains around 180 mg of calcium, compared to 10-15 mg in boneless, skinless varieties.
So if you don’t mind the texture, go ahead and consume those soft bones. Just be sure to mash them thoroughly, especially when feeding canned salmon to children.
How To Remove Bones From Canned Salmon
While the bones are edible, some people find them unappetizing. If you want to remove the salmon bones, it takes just a few simple steps:
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Drain the liquid from the can into a bowl.
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Next, use a fork to flake the salmon into chunks, working to separate the bones.
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Then, pick through the salmon pieces and discard any remaining pinbones or vertebrae.
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Add the drained salmon liquid back over the boned salmon.
The salmon bones are relatively large and easy to see against the orange flesh. Picking them out takes little effort.
You can also use your fingers to feel for bones. Just be sure to wash your hands before and after handling raw salmon.
Types Of Canned Salmon – With Bones vs Boneless
Canned salmon is available in a few popular forms:
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Traditional, bone-in – Most common. Contains soft, edible bones.
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Boneless, skinless – Fillets with bones and skin removed. More expensive.
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Chunk-style – Thicker salmon chunks with minimal bones.
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Salmon tips – Made from smaller pieces. Lower cost. Bones included.
Traditional canned salmon almost always contains bones. If you want guaranteed boneless, look for “boneless, skinless fillets” on the label. Be aware these cost a bit more.
Bone-in salmon has more omega-3s and calcium than boneless. But boneless is more convenient if you dislike picking out bones.
Should You Eat The Salmon Skin?
In addition to soft bones, most canned salmon contains the dark pink salmon skin. It has a smooth, rubbery texture when cooked.
Unlike the bones, the skin has no impact on nutrition. However, it won’t harm you and some people enjoy the taste. If desired, the skin can easily be peeled off in strips.
Eating the skin comes down to personal preference. Try it and see if you like it! A fork can also be used to easily separate and remove the skin before eating.
Is Canned Salmon Safe For Babies And Young Children?
Canned salmon can be included as part of a healthy, balanced diet for babies and young children. To minimize risk of choking, be sure to:
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Use traditional bone-in salmon and thoroughly mash/flake to break down bones.
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Avoid chunk-style or salmon tip varieties which contain more noticeable bones.
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Closely supervise feeding and avoid giving whole bones.
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For an extra safety precaution, strain the salmon through a fine mesh sieve to catch any remaining small bones.
With these precautions, canned salmon is perfectly safe for young kids! It provides protein, omega-3s, calcium, vitamin D and other great nutrients.
Salmon also exposes babies to new flavors and textures, helping them become less picky as they grow. Introduce it early on around 6-8 months old.
Hopefully this article gave you a better understanding around the bones in canned salmon. While fresh salmon bones should not be eaten, the bones in canned salmon are soft, safe to consume and provide a nutritional boost.
Eating the bones is a personal choice. If you find them unpalatable, you can easily remove the bones, though this does lower the calcium content. Opt for boneless canned salmon if you want to avoid bones altogether.
Canned salmon is affordable, healthy and extremely versatile in recipes, salads, tacos, pasta and more. Rich in heart-healthy omega-3s and protein, it’s a pantry staple worth keeping on hand!
The Untold Truth Of Canned Salmon
FAQ
Does canned salmon usually have bones?
Can I buy canned salmon without bones?
Does canned salmon come boneless?
How do you get bones out of canned salmon?
Does canned salmon have bones?
To ensure you locate all bones in the meat, be sure to separate salmon into smaller pieces to snag any concealed bones. No matter what option you prefer, you can rest assured that canned salmon will make for a flavorful and wholesome meal. Some brands of canned salmon contain bones.
Does salmon contain calcium?
Salmon is rich in essential minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, and selenium, and vitamins. However, on the list, sardines are a fish with large amounts of calcium.
Does salmon have bones?
Yes, salmon has bones. A lot of people are not sure if salmon has bones because as the second most popular seafood product in the US, most of the salmon purchased at the supermarket has already had its main bones removed. That said though, like many animals, salmon do have large bones.
Can you eat canned salmon without bones?
If you wish to keep the nutritional value of canned salmon yet dislike the bones, your best alternative would be to crush them until they disintegrate. By that point, the bones should be unrecognizable, and you can enjoy a protein, omega-3, and calcium-rich meal with a pleasant taste and texture.