With its characteristic orange-pink hue rich fatty texture, and versatile flavor, salmon has secured its place as one of the most popular fish choices for home cooks and restaurants alike. However salmon can also be one of the pricier fish options at the market.

If you love cooking with salmon but want to explore similar tasting options that are easier on the wallet, there are several fish that make for delicious salmon alternatives thanks to their comparable flavors, textures, and cooking properties. Keep reading to discover 7 fish that look and taste like salmon to add to your recipes.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout is often the first fish that comes to mind when searching for an alternative to salmon Farmed rainbow trout in particular closely resembles the color and flavor of salmon It has that same bright coral colored flesh that cooks up moist and flaky, The flavor of rainbow trout is mild yet fatty and savory like salmon,

Rainbow trout is a smaller fish so fillets tend to be thinner than a thick salmon steak. This quick cooking time makes rainbow trout ideal for weeknight meals. It shines in basic preparations like pan-searing, broiling and grilling. For salmon lovers on a budget rainbow trout is very wallet-friendly.

Steelhead Trout

Similar to rainbow trout, steelhead trout offers a remarkably salmon-like experience. It is actually a type of rainbow trout that spends part of its life in the ocean, giving it a more pronounced flavor and deeper orange-red color. The rich taste and moderate fat content allows steelhead to substitute for salmon in almost any recipe.

Steelhead trout fillets are also thinner than salmon so cook lightning fast while remaining moist and tender. This sustainable fish adapts well to all cooking methods and its firmer texture holds up on the grill or when baked en papillote. Steelhead trout provides all the tasty qualities of salmon for less.

Arctic Char

Hailing from northern waters, arctic char looks nearly identical to salmon. It has the same bright coral color and a tail with two forks as salmon. The taste of arctic char is delicate, like a mix of salmon and trout. Its supple yet firm texture also mimics that of salmon.

Arctic char portions run smaller like trout so are quicker cooking than large salmon steaks. The versatile mild flavor allows arctic char to shine in everything from tacos to pan roasts. When cooked skin-on, the crispy skin develops a lovely salmon-esque richness. Sustainable arctic char makes for a seamless substitution in salmon dishes.

Mahi Mahi

White-fleshed mahi mahi tastes and feels a lot like salmon, even though it doesn’t have the orange color that salmon does. This flaky, firm fish tastes mild and delicate, with savory umami undertones that are a lot like salmon. Mahi mahi fillets cook quickly on the stove or grill because they are not very thick.

Mahi mahi absorbs other flavors easily, making it an ideal candidate for all your favorite salmon marinades and seasonings. Let your tastebuds tell you it’s salmon! Choose sustainable American-caught mahi mahi for the best product.

Mackerel

Another white fish that mimics salmon’s qualities is rich and oily mackerel. Its high oil content gives mackerel the same luscious mouthfeel as fattier salmon cuts. While mackerel has a more pronounced fish flavor, its boldness can substitute for salmon’s richness.

Smoked mackerel in particular makes a great replacement for smoked salmon. Try mackerel in simple preparations to let its flavor shine through. Opt for Atlantic mackerel from the U.S. or Europe for sustainability.

Escolar

Also called butterfish, escolar has a melt-in-your-mouth texture remarkably similar to the fatty premium parts of salmon. Its soft creamy consistency and very mild flavor allow it to act as an understudy for fattier salmon cuts like the belly or collar.

Escolar’s richness enhances any sauce, spice rub, or marinade just like salmon. Cook escolar skinless to prevent the waxiness of the skin from leaching out. Stick to fillets under 6 ounces and avoid overeating escolar due to its laxative effect.

Amberjack

A firmer fish that mimics the meatiness of salmon is amberjack. While amberjack has grayish-white flesh rather than salmon’s famous pink hue, it boasts a hearty texture and rich flavor profile. Amberjack holds up beautifully to bold seasoning and pairs well with the same preparations as salmon.

Amberjack cooks through to a moist, meaty flakiness similar to salmon. Sear amberjack steaks or swap it into any recipe calling for thicker salmon cuts. Amberjack makes the perfect budget-friendly stand-in for wild salmon. Choose line-caught amberjack for sustainability.

Summary

• Rainbow trout – thin fillets with bright coral flesh, mild and fatty taste
• Steelhead trout – salmon-like color and rich flavor, fast cooking
• Arctic char – resembles appearance of salmon, delicate flavor
• Mahi mahi – white fish that mimics salmon texture and taste
• Mackerel – high oil content provides salmon’s richness
• Escolar – buttery soft texture just like fatty salmon
• Amberjack – meaty, moist and flaky texture

So the next time salmon prices have you feeling blue, give one of these deliciously similar alternatives a try in your favorite recipes. With their comparable flavors, textures, and cooking attributes, these 7 fish make flavorful and sustainable substitutions. Salmon lovers can rejoice in new options while still enjoying their favorite fishy qualities!

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish tastes most like salmon?

Of all the salmon lookalikes and substitutes, rainbow trout and steelhead trout come the closest to resembling the true taste and texture of salmon. Their fatty pink flesh and mild flavor profile mirrors genuine salmon closest of all.

What fish has color like salmon?

The fish that most closely matches the distinctive bright orange-red color of salmon is rainbow trout, steelhead trout, and arctic char. Their vibrant pinkish-orange hue looks nearly identical to salmon when raw and cooked.

Is tilapia a good substitute for salmon?

While affordable and convenient, tilapia doesn’t accurately mimic the flavor and texture of salmon. Its white flaky flesh is much leaner and less rich than salmon’s characteristic fattiness. Choose a fish like mackerel or mahi mahi for a closer match.

Can I use cod instead of salmon?

Cod is too mild, lean, and flaky to pass for salmon.Fish like mackerel and escolar that have higher oil contents are better able to substitute for salmon’s richness. Cod won’t replicate the fatty mouthfeel.

What fish has omega-3s like salmon?

Great alternatives high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids like salmon include mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, rainbow trout, and arctic char. These all provide the same benefits of salmon.

How do you pick a good salmon substitute?

Choose fish that mimic salmon’s oil content, flakiness, mouthfeel, and cooking properties. Opt for rich fish for fatty salmon or mild white fish for leaner salmon. Consider texture, color, flavor, cost, availability, and sustainability.

What is the most budget friendly fish with salmon-like flavor?

Rainbow trout and canned mackerel provide the closest salmon-esque experience while being extremely wallet-friendly. Artic char and mahi mahi are also cheaper alternatives that replicate salmon beautifully.