Salmon is one of my favorite proteins to cook with. It tastes great, is good for you, and can be used in a lot of different ways, from simple weeknight meals to fancy main courses. It’s important to get rid of the strong fishy smell that comes from raw salmon before cooking it, though.
To get rid of any fishy taste or smell in fresh salmon fillets, all you need is lemon juice. The acidity in the lemon breaks down and gets rid of the fish oils and other impurities that make the food smell and taste bad. I use this handy tip to make sure my salmon tastes clean and fresh.
In this article, I’ll explain how to properly clean salmon with lemon, from start to finish. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about this handy technique. Let’s get started!
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Salmon with Lemon
Cleaning salmon with lemon only takes a few minutes. Here are the simple steps:
Ingredients Needed
- Fresh skinless salmon fillets
- 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
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Rinse the salmon: Run cold water over the fillets for 30 seconds to rinse away any blood, scales or slime on the surface.
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Pat salmon dry: Use paper towels to gently pat the fillets completely dry. Salmon needs to be dry before seasoning.
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Season the salmon: Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over both sides of the fillets. I use 1⁄4 tsp salt and 1⁄8 tsp pepper per fillet.
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Squeeze lemon juice Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice from one half over the flesh side of the fillets,
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Let sit Allow the salmon to sit for 5-10 minutes after adding lemon juice This allows the acid to work its magic!
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Rinse and pat dry Rinse the lemon juice off under cold water and pat the fillets dry again with paper towels
That’s it! After this quick lemon wash, your salmon is ready for cooking.
Why Use Lemon to Clean Salmon?
There are a few key reasons why lemon juice effectively removes odors and impurities from salmon fillets:
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Acidity – Lemon juice has an acidic pH which breaks down amines, the fishy compound responsible for odors.
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Cutting fat – The acid also helps cut through the fat and oil on salmon’s surface which clings to odors.
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Fresh flavor – Lemon infuses the salmon with a bright, clean citrus flavor.
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Sanitizing – The antimicrobial properties of lemon help kill bacteria responsible for spoilage odors.
So lemon juice addresses both the taste and food safety issues that can plague fresh raw salmon. Pretty impressive for a simple kitchen ingredient!
Tips for Cleaning Salmon with Lemon
Here are some tips and tricks I’ve picked up over the years for getting the best results when using lemon to clean salmon:
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Use freshly squeezed lemon juice – Bottled just doesn’t have the same cleaning power.
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Rub it in – Massage the lemon juice over the surface rather than just drizzling it for maximum coverage.
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Let it sit – Waiting 5-10 minutes allows the lemon to fully permeate the flesh.
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Rinse thoroughly – Be sure to rinse off all lemon juice before cooking or it will overwhelm the flavor.
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Pat super dry – Eliminate all moisture on the surface to prevent steaming instead of browning.
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Season after – Salt and pepper adhere better once the moisture and stickiness from lemon is removed.
Follow these tips and your salmon will come out bright, flaky and tasting fresh from the sea!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Salmon with Lemon
Here are answers to some of the most common questions I get about prepping salmon with lemon juice:
How much lemon juice should I use?
This depends on the size of your fillets, but I typically use the juice from half a lemon for every 1-2 salmon fillets. Enough to coat the flesh evenly when rubbed in.
Is bottled lemon juice okay?
For best flavor and cleaning power, fresh squeezed is really ideal. But in a pinch, bottled works. Just may need to let it sit a little longer on the salmon.
Should I rinse off the lemon juice before cooking?
Definitely yes! You want to rinse away all the lemon juice which will make the salmon too tart and acidic tasting if you cook it on.
Can I marinate the salmon in lemon juice longer?
You can, but more than 10 minutes starts to chemically cook the salmon rather than just cleaning it. I don’t recommend longer than 15 minutes max.
What else complements lemon for cleaning salmon?
Other citrus like lime or orange work well too. Some chefs also use white wine or vinegar along with lemon.
Can I use lemon to clean other fish like trout or cod?
Absolutely! The acid in lemon works its magic on just about any fatty fish. Scale back on lean fish like tilapia which is not as odor-prone.
Should I use lemon if marinating salmon after?
Yes, it still helps remove odors and won’t negatively affect the marinade. Just be sure to pat the salmon very dry first so the marinade adheres.
