When I was in my early 20s and moved from New York City to Seattle, one of the biggest changes in the food scene was how common and important salmon was there. It’s big in the Pacific Northwest, where smart chefs have learned how to cook this one-of-a-kind pink fish.
Having never taken the time to appreciate salmon beforehand, I quickly became a connoisseur. I learned to appreciate the benefits of wild salmon and learnt how to cook this strong-tasting but surprisingly delicate fish.
Plenty of people love the flavor and proven health benefits that come along with eating salmon. Few people, however, enjoy underdone, poorly prepared, or just plain “fishy” salmon. Here, we’ll talk about how to avoid common pitfalls so that you can have spectacular salmon every time.
How do people cook salmon? There’s more than one way to cook this upstream-swimming fish. Chefs cook salmon in a number of different ways, such as pan-frying, grilling, and poaching, which is a way of cooking in a thin layer of boiling liquid that is also often used for eggs. The tips in this roundup are designed to be relevant regardless of your preparation technique.
7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Salmon. Usually, when salmon doesn’t come out as you’d like, it’s due to one of these easy-to-remedy reasons. Here, we’ll discuss some common mistakes and how to fix them.
Ideally, salmon is local and recently caught. If you live far from the ocean or can’t do this, buy your salmon from a reputable seafood store. This way, you’ll know that they get shipments of salmon that are regularly.
While yes, salmon is fish, it shouldn’t have an overtly “fishy” smell. It should have a mild aroma, sort of like being near the ocean. A big red flag is if the fish smells sour or “fishy,” or if you can smell ammonia in it. You should get rid of the fish right away. Your salmon may be past its prime, even if it looks completely fine.
The USDA cautions: “do not rinse raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. Bacteria in these raw juices can splash and spread to other foods and surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill harmful bacteria. ”.
An exception to the skin rule is when you are poaching salmon fillets. The skin can make it hard for the salmon to cook evenly when poaching, so take it off before you start.
Fine Cooking says that the best way to get the small bones out is to use clean needle-nosed pliers or tweezers. To find them, you can run your clean fingers along the fish’s surface. Not all of them will be easy to see.
Adding salt will not only help seal in moisture, but help infuse the salmon with flavor. Certain herbs and spices can also work beautifully with salmon, too. Dill, chives, and mint all work particularly well.
Salmon is often seasoned with salt, herbs, and spices after being brushed with olive oil. This helps the flavors stick to the fish and keeps it from sticking to the cooking surface.
But you don’t want the salmon to flake. You want it to have a matte finish on all sides and be easy to cut into pieces with a fork. By the time the salmon flakes on its own, it’s likely overcooked.
Salmon can make other flavors taste bad, and that’s not always what you want on your vegetables. For best results, cook your side grains or vegetables separately, and then combine on your plate when serving.
Conclusion: While it’s not the easiest dish to cook, the art of preparing perfect salmon is worth mastering. Salmon has a great taste and is a great source of protein. It is also full of vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart. These tips will help you capture a perfect taste of the sea!.
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It’s important to clean salmon properly before cooking it so that it’s free of germs and ready to take on flavors. Follow this simple salmon cleaning tutorial for tender, delicious salmon every time.
Why Clean Salmon Before Cooking?
There are a few key reasons you should always clean salmon before cooking
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Removes bacteria and pathogens – Raw salmon can contain harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness Washing helps eliminate contaminants
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Cleans the salmon by getting rid of grit, scales, blood residue, and other impurities on the surface.
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Prepares for seasoning – A clean salmon fillet allows marinades, spices and sauces to better penetrate the meat.
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Reduces fishy odor – Washing helps rid salmon of the “fishy” smells that can occur from the natural oils
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Enables even cooking – Removing moisture from the surface helps prevent overcooking on the outside and undercooking inside.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cleaning Salmon
Cleaning salmon is a simple process if you follow these easy steps:
What You’ll Need:
- Fresh salmon fillet or whole fish
- Large bowl or sink for rinsing
- Sharp knife (if gutting)
- Cutting board
- Paper towels
- Plastic wrap
The Steps:
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Rinse the salmon. Place the salmon in a colander or bowl and rinse under cold running water. This removes any dirt, blood or scales on the surface.
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Pat dry. Use paper towels to gently pat the salmon dry. Drying prevents bacteria growth.
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Scale the fish. For whole salmon, use a spoon or butter knife to scrape off any scales, working from tail to head. Rinse again after scaling.
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Gut the fish. For whole fish, slice open the belly and use your fingers to remove the guts and organs. Rinse thoroughly.
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Remove gills. Locate the gills on the underside of the head and pull them out completely. Rinse again.
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Fillet or slice. If desired, now cut the salmon into fillets or steaks. Cut along the backbone and ribs for fillets.
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Check for bones. Feel for bones in the salmon and pull them out with tweezers or pliers.
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Pat dry. Pat the salmon dry again with clean paper towels before seasoning or marinating.
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Store properly. Wrap the salmon tightly in plastic wrap and store in the coldest part of the fridge.
And that’s it! With these simple steps, your salmon will be fresh, contaminant-free and ready for cooking.
Handling Tips for Raw Salmon
Follow these safe handling practices when working with raw salmon:
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Keep raw salmon separate from other foods in the fridge. Store on the bottom shelf.
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Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and knives for salmon.
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Wash hands, utensils and surfaces that have touched raw salmon with hot, soapy water.
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Work quickly and return salmon to the fridge. Do not let it sit out at room temp for over 2 hours.
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Cook salmon to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to kill bacteria and parasites.
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When in doubt, throw it out! Discard salmon that smells overly fishy or has a slimy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Salmon
Should farmed or wild salmon be cleaned differently?
No, the cleaning process is the same. Focus on rinsing away any impurities from both farmed and wild salmon.
Is it necessary to wash salmon marked “sushi-grade”?
Yes, always rinse sushi-grade salmon to remove traces of bacteria. Pat dry before slicing for sushi.
Can you skip gutting for whole salmon?
Gutting is optional but recommended. Removing viscera and blood prevents bacteria growth and foul tastes.
Is it safe to marinate salmon before cooking?
Yes, marinating is safe if the salmon is cleaned first and marinated in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
Should salmon be washed before smoking?
Absolutely. Thoroughly clean and pat dry salmon before smoking to promote flavor absorption and prevent bacteria.
The Best Cooking Methods for Clean Salmon
Once your salmon is prepped and clean, it’s ready to cook using these easy methods:
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Baking: Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F until flaky.
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Pan-searing: Heat oil in a skillet. Cook salmon skin-side up until browned and cooked through.
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Grilling: Oil the grill grates. Grill salmon over direct heat for 2-3 minutes per side.
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Poaching: Simmer salmon fillets gently in broth, wine or water mixed with salt, lemon and herbs.
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Broiling: Coat salmon with oil and broil 4-5 inches from heat for 8-12 minutes until flaky.
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Smoking: Brine salmon briefly and then hot or cold smoke it until the interior reaches 145°F.
No matter which cooking method you choose, cleaning salmon beforehand removes impurities and sets you up for optimal flavor and texture. With these simple prep steps, you can look forward to healthy, delicious salmon meals. Give this easy tutorial a try for your next fish dinner!
