Kippered. Baked. Hot-smoked. Over four generations, we’ve learned that it doesn’t matter what you call it. It matters how you do it.
We start by sourcing the finest Atlantic salmon. Then, we cut the fish by hand and smoke them one at a time over a mix of North American hardwoods. We keep the temperature in our smokehouse between 150°F and 160°F with a careful eye and a dedication to our craft. Low enough to preserve the salmon’s succulence; high enough to produce that perfect flaky texture.
This makes smoked salmon that is both firm and moist, smoky and buttery, salty and just a little sweet. It’s what you’ll reach for when you’re whipping up fish cakes. But it’s also our pick for effortless entertaining. It’s good on its own or with a little whole grain mustard. You can also sprinkle it on greens and serve it with citrus.
Salmon is one of my favorite go-to proteins. It’s nutritious delicious and versatile enough to enjoy in everything from weeknight dinners to fancy restaurant meals. But I’ll admit, when a recipe calls for a specific salmon portion like 4 ounces, I sometimes scratch my head trying to visualize exactly how much fish that entails. If you’ve ever pondered “How big is 4 ounces of salmon?” while meal prepping, read on for a helpful portion guide.
Why Portion Sizes Matter for Cooking Salmon
When it comes to perfectly cooking salmon, getting the portion size right matters. How fast (or slow) your salmon cooks depends on things like its thickness and surface area.
Portioning salmon correctly also helps ensure you get adequate protein in your diet without overdoing it on calories. The USDA recommends 5- to 6-ounce cooked portions from lean protein sources like salmon. For the average adult 4 raw ounces of salmon equals a proper serving size.
Finally, uniform sizing allows you to calculate the exact amount needed for your recipe or number of people. No one wants to realize mid-meal they didn’t budget properly and run out of fish! Knowing standard salmon sizes provides consistency meal to meal.
What Does 4 Ounces of Raw Salmon Look Like?
So what should you picture when a recipe calls for “4 ounces salmon” per serving? Here are a few easy size comparisons:
- About the size of a smartphone (although thickness may vary)
- Roughly a deck of playing cards
- Approximately the size of your palm (results may vary depending on hand size!)
- Slightly smaller than an average chicken breast
The average 4-ounce salmon portion measures 4-5 inches long by 2-3 inches wide, with a thickness around 1-1.5 inches. But remember – salmon fillets can range in shape from long and narrow to short and wide. The visual profile may differ, but a compact 4-ounce piece will generally equal a proper serving size.
Weight vs. Volume for Measuring Salmon
If you’re cooking salmon at home, I suggest using a kitchen scale to divide it into pieces based on weight (in ounces or grams) instead of volume (in cups). Weight provides the most accurate and consistent sizing.
However, I realize many home cooks don’t own or won’t pull out a scale on busy weeknights! In these cases, use the size comparisons above as your guide. Also consider the following general rule of thumb:
- 1 pound of salmon = approximately 4 (4-ounce) servings
So if you buy a 1-pound salmon fillet at the market, divide it into four even pieces for proper 4-ounce raw portions. Each will yield around 3 cooked ounces after accounting for moisture loss.
Salmon Shrinks When Cooked!
An important thing to remember about cooking salmon: the portion size shrinks after cooking because the water evaporates.
A 4-ounce raw salmon fillet will shrink to around 3 cooked ounces once grilled, baked, or pan-seared. I recommend planning for this reduction by purchasing and prepping salmon portions while raw.
For example, if a recipe calls for 24 ounces cooked salmon (to serve 8 people), purchase 1 1/2 pounds raw. This provides a cushion so you end up with adequate cooked portions.
Cooked Salmon Serving Suggestions
While 4 ounces makes a perfect raw portion, what does cooked salmon look like on your plate? Here are some serving tips:
- A cooked 3-ounce salmon portion is about the size of a checkbook or bar of soap.
- For a restaurant-style presentation, plan for 6 ounces cooked salmon per person. This equates to around 8 ounces raw.
- If serving salmon as an appetizer, plan for 2-3 ounces cooked per person.
- For salmon burgers or cakes, make patties using 3-4 ounces cooked salmon each.
- For a salmon main course salad, top with 4-6 ounces cooked salmon sliced or flaked over greens.
Adjust portions up or down based on your menu, appetite, and the protein needs of your diners. Salmon offers flexibility!
Purchasing Precut Salmon Portions
Many grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Whole Foods now sell pre-portioned salmon fillets in 4 or 5-ounce cuts. This takes the guesswork out of planning proper amounts!
Precut salmon packages provide consistency in sizing. Look for individually vacuum-sealed fillets for maximum freshness.
You can also request custom salmon portioning at the seafood counter. Ask them to cut a 1-pound fillet into four 4-ounce pieces so they are ready to cook or freeze.
Freezing Leftover Salmon in 4-Ounce Servings
Have leftover cooked salmon? Freezing is a great way to save it for later meals. Break cooked fillets down into 4-ounce portions before freezing.
Here’s an easy technique for freezing salmon servings:
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Allow cooked salmon to cool completely, then use a kitchen scale to divide into 4-ounce portions.
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Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then seal in a resealable freezer bag.
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Remove as much air as possible and label with content and date.
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Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator before using.
Freezing pre-portioned salmon provides grab-and-go convenience for salads, pasta dishes, tacos, and more!
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Kippered. Baked. Hot-smoked. Over four generations, we’ve learned that it doesn’t matter what you call it. It matters how you do it.
We start by sourcing the finest Atlantic salmon. Then, we cut the fish by hand and smoke them one at a time over a mix of North American hardwoods. We keep the temperature in our smokehouse between 150°F and 160°F with a careful eye and a dedication to our craft. Low enough to preserve the salmon’s succulence; high enough to produce that perfect flaky texture.
This makes smoked salmon that is both firm and moist, smoky and buttery, salty and just a little sweet. It’s what you’ll reach for when you’re whipping up fish cakes. But it’s also our pick for effortless entertaining. It’s good on its own or with a little whole grain mustard. You can also sprinkle it on greens and serve it with citrus.
Salmon, salt, and natural hardwood smoke.
Omega-3 fatty acids, good source of protein and gluten free.
Fish – What is the Right Portion Size? Choose Less – Weigh Less – Choose Health LA
FAQ
Is 4 ounces of salmon too much?
What is a good size portion of salmon?
What does a 3 oz salmon fillet look like?
What do 2 ounces of salmon look like?
How big should a salmon portion be?
If you’ve ever bought a whole salmon, you know that a whole or half salmon will always need to be butchered into several smaller fillets. A single salmon portion size is usually between 3 and 4 ounces. I have spent hours researching information and have found the visual method to estimate the size of salmon portions.
How many ounces of salmon should I eat?
Between 3 and 4 ounces of salmon is usually considered a healthy serving size. If you’ve ever bought a whole salmon, you know how large this fish can be. A whole or half salmon will always need to be butchered into several smaller fillets. A single salmon portion size is usually between 3 and 4 ounces.
How do you measure 3 ounces of salmon?
But if you don’t have a scale, rather than weighing this out, the best visual indicator of 3 ounces of salmon serving is roughly the size of the palm of your hand or the size of a standard deck of playing cards or a checkbook. Knowing what 3 ounces of Salmon look like, you can easily measure 4 ounces of Salmon.
How many oz of salmon should a restaurant serve?
A portion size of salmon at a restaurant, for example, may be between 5 oz to 7 oz, which is much larger than the standard serving size for salmon. What is the recommended serving size of salmon for children?