Do Salmon Fillets Have Bones? Understanding Pin Bones and How to Remove Them

So you bought salmon steaks but don’t know how to cook them? This guide will show you how to remove the bones and roll them up.

The first time I tried to prepare salmon steaks, I found it a little bit overwhelming.

I didn’t think they would need to be treated any differently than a salmon fillet, for starters.

Salmon steaks usually come with the bones still in, and they only need a few extra minutes of prep work before they’re cooked.

The good news is, deboning salmon steaks is actually pretty easy and shouldnt take long to do.

After taking out the bones, you can cook the steaks the way they are or roll them into medallions. This tutorial will walk you through both deboning and rolling the salmon steaks.

Salmon is one of the most popular and nutritious fish available Rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids and various vitamins and minerals, salmon makes for a delicious and healthy meal. However, the question of bones in salmon fillets can deter some people from cooking this fish at home

While salmon fillets should technically be boneless, they often contain small bones called pin bones that must be removed before cooking Read on to learn all about pin bones, if they pose any risks and the proper techniques for getting them out of your salmon fillets.

What Are Pin Bones?

Salmon fillets have small, thin bones that run horizontally along their length. These bones look like points and are called pin bones. These aren’t really bones; they’re just hardened tendons that salmon use to sense other fish moving and vibrating in the water.

You’ll typically find a row of pin bones lined up in the thicker, fattier belly section of salmon fillets. The bones are usually white in color and quite small, around 1 to 3 inches long. While not sharp, they can have pointed tips.

Because pin bones are often missed when the salmon is filled, they stay in the fillets that are sold at the grocery store. However, they are easy to both feel and remove at home.

Are Pin Bones Safe to Eat?

While pin bones themselves are edible, most people find their texture unappetizing. You want your salmon to be tender and flaky, not crunchy or gritty from little bones.

Swallowing smaller soft bones is generally not dangerous for most people. However, the pointed ends of pin bones could potentially pose a choking hazard for children, older adults or those with swallowing difficulties if accidentally consumed.

To keep people safe and get the best texture, salmon fillets should have their pin bones taken out before they are cooked and eaten. Taking them out also keeps you from having to deal with the pain of finding bones stuck in your teeth or gums being poked in the middle of a meal.

How to Remove Pin Bones from Salmon

Removing salmon pin bones only takes a minute or two. With practice, you’ll be able to easily feel for them and pull them out cleanly. Here is a simple technique:

What You Need:

Raw salmon fillet
Tweezers, pliers or surgical clamp – regular tweezers may not grip the slippery bones well

Directions:

Place the salmon fillet skin-side down on a cutting board or plate. Salmon pin bones will be facing up.
Run your fingertips lightly over the surface to feel for the pin bones protruding. You’ll notice they align in a row.
Once you locate the first pin bone, grasp it at the tip with tweezers or pliers. Pull it out gently but swiftly at an angle along the row.
Continue locating each subsequent pin bone with your fingers and pulling them out one by one.
Double check the fillet by running your fingers along it to ensure no pin bones were missed.
Rinse the salmon briefly before marinating or cooking as desired.

Alternatively, you can use a butter knife to gently scrape along the fillet and pull or cut pin bones out. Take care not to tear the delicate salmon flesh.

Pin bones near the thinner tail end can sometimes be trimmed off along with that section before cooking. This saves time if you don’t need the skinny tail portion.

Tips for Buying and Cooking Pin Bone-Free Salmon

If you want to avoid dealing with pin bones altogether, check your seafood counter or grocer’s freezer section for salmon fillets labeled as pin-bone removed or PBR. These have been pre-treated to remove the bones for convenience.

You can also ask your fishmonger to remove pin bones for you. Some grocery stores that fillet salmon in-house will gladly provide you with pin-bone free fillets upon request.

Skin-on salmon fillets will hold together better during pin-bone removal. The skin helps prevent the flesh from shredding. Simply peel off and discard the skin after taking out the bones.

Salmon steaks that are cross-cut from the whole fillet will never contain pin bones. These thick salmon cuts make for easy no-bone salmon meals.

Once you’ve removed any pesky pin bones, salmon fillets can be baked, pan seared, grilled, broiled, poached or added to chowders or casseroles. Consider using wood, fruit or citrus planks for grilling salmon to add flavor.

Can You Use a Fish Deboning Tool?

Special fish deboning tools or gadgets are available that claim to help remove pin bones and other small bones from fish fillets. However, for salmon pin bones, manual removal is usually quickest and most effective.

These tools are more useful for getting out the thin rib bones in white, flaky fish like tilapia or sole. For salmon’s tender flesh and prominently aligned pin bones, simple tweezers or pliers do the trick nicely.

Do Other Types of Fish Have Pin Bones?

While tiny pin bones are most commonly found in salmon and trout, other fish may occasionally have them too. Species that can contain pin bones include:

Arctic char
Striped bass
Rainbow smelt
Whitefish like walleye
Some mackerel

In most fish, pin bones will be similarly shaped, small and arranged in a row along the fillet. Always run your fingers over fish fillets to check for bones before cooking. Removing them takes just seconds and makes for an optimal eating experience.

The Bottom Line

Pin bones are a common occurrence in salmon fillets, but with a bit of know-how, you can easily remove them yourself. Check each fillet with your fingers, use tweezers or pliers to grasp and pull out the bones cleanly. This extra step before cooking lets you enjoy tender, bone-free salmon with peace of mind. Master the simple art of DIY pin bone removal and unlock the full potential of delicious, versatile salmon!

does salmon fillet have bones

Do I Need a Special Knife to Debone Salmon Steaks?

Ideally, youll use a boning knife. I use a Wusthof boning knife.

No boning knife? A fillet knife is another good option, although I find a boning knife is easier.

Dont have either type of knife? Use the sharpest knife youve got.

does salmon fillet have bones

What Is a Fish Steak?

A fish steak is cut perpendicular to the fishs spine and often includes bones.

The more familiar fillet is cut parallel to the spine to remove the fish meat from the bone.

A fillet is the most common cut, but you can also find ahi tuna steaks and swordfish steaks at most grocery stores.

Salmon steaks, on the other hand, are a little harder to find. So when you find them its quite a treat!.

How to Debone a Salmon

FAQ

Which part of salmon has no bones?

Wild pacific salmon do not have pinbones behind the dorsal fin so tail cuts are naturally boneless or nearly boneless depending on how large the piece is and where it was cut. Tail pieces in the half pound range tend to have been cut behind the dorsal fin and are therefore totally boneless.

Which part of salmon is boneless?

The tail fillet and shank is a lean, boneless cut – it’s the smallest and thinnest of the whole fillet.

Is it okay to eat salmon bones?

Myth: The bones in canned salmon aren’t safe to eat and should always be removed. Fact: The bones that are usually present in canned salmon are perfectly edible and provide a rich source of calcium. The canning process makes the bones soft enough to chew and mix well with the meat.