The Ultimate Guide to Salmon: Types, Benefits and cooking methods

Introduction:

Are you searching for the benefits of eating Salmon? Do you also want to know how many types of salmon there are? Do you wish to know the easiest ways to cook several yummy salmon dishes?

Here is the ultimate guide to salmon. Our guide to salmon will explain the types, benefits, cooking methods, and everything else you want to know.

Salmon is a fan’s favorite fish and it is the favorite of most salmon lovers.It is easy to make and there are thousands of different dishes to make. Whether grilled, baked, smoked, or fried, learn how to make the most of this delicious and nutritious dish with us. Are you ready to learn about salmon with us?

Benefits of eating salmon:

There are a lot of benefits to eating salmon like it improves heart health, brain functioning, immune system, eye health, joint health, and makes our skin healthy. It also provides a huge variety of vitamins like:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids:

Salmon fish contains a huge variety of Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids contain a lot of health benefits with a very rich taste as well so its a win win situation.

2. High proteins:

Salmon provides a huge variety of proteins, like Omega-3 acids, protein is also an essential part in our diet. It helps our health in several ways, like maintaining muscle mass, strengthening our bones, and healing.

3. B vitamins:

200g of Salmon contains following amount of B vitamins:

• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Around 5.8 mcg
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Approximately 1.1 mg
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): About 2.8 mg
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Roughly 17 mg
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Around 0.7 mg
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): Approximately 0.4 mg

Its pretty easy to get all these vitamins and other health benefits because of the rich taste of salmon that makes it a lot more fun to be healthy and live a happy life by eating your favorite dishes.

Types of salmon: Which one is best for you?

So many types of salmon are being commonly used nowadays and all of them have their health benefits, taste differences and availability to be found. Some of the most common types of salmon are given below:

1. Chinook(King) salmon

Chinook salmon is also called King salmon. It is mostly available in Pacific Northwest of Atlanta. It has a buttery taste with great sources of fats and protein.

2. Sockeye Salmon

This type of salmon is found in Pacific waters of mostly Alaska. It has a really strong and distinctive flavor. It has a lot of antioxidants such as astaxanthin.

3. Coho(Silver) Salmon

It is easy to find from late summer to early fall. Coho salmon also known as Silver Salmon has a very mild taste and firm texture. It is a good source of vitamin B12 and D, and also Omega-3s.

4. Pink Salmon

It is the most available type of Salmon ,Pink salmon has a very light flavor and a soft texture. Although it is low in fats, Pink salmon still offers a good amount of proteins and other essential nutrients.

5. Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon is farmed a lot and it is available for the whole year. It has a mild flavor and a rich buttery texture. It provides a huge variety of Omega-3s and have many benefits for heart health.

How to choose fresh Salmon:

Choosing a fresh Salmon to eat is a pretty difficult task. In our guide to salmon, we have some tips to know if it is fresh or not. A link pink color Is essential for farmed Salmon, whereas wild-caught Salmon should have a dark Pink color. Having any gray blemishes or brown areas means the fish isn’t that fresh . Make sure that the eyes of the fish are clear, skinny, and plump. Wild-caught Salmon is more liked because of its lower environmental impact and superior taste while frozen one doesn’t have that good taste.

Best cooking methods for salmon:

Salmon is a very versatile fish that can be cooked with several cooking methods and each one of them will bring out its unique taste and quality. Some of the best ways of making Salmon are given below.

1. Grilling:

Grilling is one of the most common ways of cooking salmon because it adds a smoky flavor with crispy skin, while the inside stays moist and tender. Grilling Salmon is perfect for outdoor cooking like barbecues.

2. Baking:

Baking salmon in the oven is a pretty simple method that gives a flaky and evenly cooked fillet. The fillet should be burned at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a perfect tender taste.

3. Smoking:

Frying the salmon is a very common way which gives it a crispy exterior but keeps the inside soft and juicy. Pan frying is the best method for quick and flavorful meals.

Common mistakes to avoid:

Some of the most common mistakes to avoid while cooking salmon are given below; take a look at them for a perfect and flavorful outcome.

1. Overcooking:

One of the most common mistakes in cooking salmon is overcooking. It should be cooked until it flakes easily with a fork. Make sure it’s dry, rubbery, and chalky. Your fish is overcooked if you see a white goopy thing known as albumin coming out of it.

2. Skipping seasoning:

Skipping seasoning the salmon is a very basic mistake that most people don’t notice a lot which makes their dish bland. Sprinkling salt, pepper, herbs, or a marinade greatly improves the flavor of the dish and makes it a lot more vibrant and delicious.

3. Not drying:

Cooking the salmon before it is completely dried never provides a crispy exterior especially if we are grilling it or pan-frying it. It is good to pat the fillets dry with a paper towel to make sure they give a nice sear and don’t steam.