The Ultimate Guide To Salmon

Everything you need to know about salmon, all in one guide! Learn how to buy, store, cook, and make delicious meals with either fresh or frozen salmon.

If you’ve ever wondered how to choose between fresh or frozen salmon at the grocery store, how to cook salmon straight from the freezer, or what to make with salmon, then this Ultimate Guide To Salmon is for you.

From Spicy Salmon Tacos, to Blackened Salmon, to Barbecue Salmon, the meal possibilities are endless. Knowing how to choose the right type of salmon and cook it the right way is essential for delicious, healthy, nutrient-loaded meals!

Fresh or frozen?

Contrary to what most of us think, buying fresh salmon isn’t always better than frozen. Many times fish is actually frozen before it is thawed and sold as “fresh” in grocery stores. Unless the salmon is truly fresh, it is sometimes better to buy it frozen and simply thaw it out before cooking.

The decision to buy fresh or frozen salmon is a personal one, and sometimes depends on how soon the recipe is going to be made!

Atlantic vs. Sockeye Salmon

Atlantic salmon is always farmed, while sockeye salmon is often wild-caught. Sockeye salmon (opens in a new tab) is rich in color, taste, and loaded with healthy fats like omega-3s. Atlantic salmon has a milder, fattier taste and is typically more affordable (although controversial).

How to freeze salmon

Here’s an easy method for freezing salmon in 4 steps:

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1. Cut the salmon into desired filets.

2. Place the salmon on a small piece of plastic wrap.

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3. Wrap the filet tightly.

4. Place the wrapped filets in a plastic bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months!

Cooking frozen salmon

Have you ever planned on cooking salmon for dinner and then realized you completely forgot to thaw it out? We’ve all been there. But not to worry – you can have delicious, flaky salmon that’s been cooked from frozen! Here’s how to make it happen:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Place the salmon filets in a baking dish (skin side down) and cover with foil paper.
3. Bake for about 15 minutes.
4. Remove the foil paper covering.
5. Bake for another 10 minutes (or until flaky).

Salmon in the oven

Cooking thawed salmon in the oven is SO easy! Here’s how to do it in 3 steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Place the filets skin-side down on a baking sheet.
3. Bake for about 15-20 minutes (or until flaky).

Ready to get started? Try out this delicious Baked Teriyaki Salmon recipe that’s loaded with flavor!

Cooking salmon in a pan

One of our favorite methods is cooking salmon in a pan. That pan-fried taste is DELICIOUS! Here’s how to cook salmon in a pan:

1. Heat up the oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Place the salmon filets skin-side up in the pan and cook for about 4-6 minutes (or until golden brown on flesh side).
3. Flip the filets over and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
4. Remove the skin, serve, and enjoy!

Try this method out in this Creamy Salmon Pasta recipe!

Everything you need to know about canned salmon

Canned salmon (opens in a new tab) is another great option if you’re looking for something quick, easy, and affordable. Not to mention that it’s loaded with nutrition!

The best types of canned salmon are pink or sockeye. Try it out in this Stuffed Avocado or Lettuce Wraps recipe!

What are your favorite tips and tricks for working with salmon? Let us know in the comments below!