How to Cook Canned Salmon: Easy and Tasty Recipes

Step 1: Prepare the salmon

After opening the canned salmon, first pour the fish out and gently break the meat apart with a fork.

You can remove the skin and bones according to your preference, or leave them in. The bones are very soft and tender, and there’s no hard texture when eating them.

Step 2: Seasoning

Canned salmon already has a great flavor, but seasoning is also important. Common seasonings include salt, black pepper, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.

You can also add some fresh herbs like dill or cilantro. Seasoning with lemon juice and a little salt can make the salmon taste fresher. Try adding a bit of chili powder or red pepper flakes to give the fish a bit of spicy depth.

Step 3: Pairing with ingredients

Canned salmon is perfect for stir-frying or making salads with some side ingredients. For example, you can add cooked potatoes, diced onions, celery, peppers, corn, etc., to make a salmon salad.

If you're stir-frying, you can add some vegetables (like spinach, peppers, onions, etc.) and stir-fry them together. Finally, drizzle a little olive oil or butter to enhance the flavor. Stir-frying will bring out a richer taste.

Step 4: Making salmon cakes (optional)

Mix canned salmon with some eggs, breadcrumbs (or cornmeal), and chopped onions to make salmon cakes.

Season with the right amount of salt and pepper, then form into small patties. Fry in a skillet with a little oil until golden brown on both sides. The crispy outside and tender inside of the salmon cakes make them a great side dish or main course.

Step 5: Baking the salmon (optional)

If you prefer a baked texture, you can try placing the canned salmon in the oven.

You can mix the salmon with some chopped vegetables, spices, and sprinkle a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, then place it in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes. This will give the salmon a baked aroma and a richer texture.

Note:

Canned salmon is usually already cooked, so there’s no need to heat it for a long time when cooking, to avoid affecting the texture.

If you find the salmon a bit greasy, you can drain the oil first for a fresher result.

Should you remove bones from canned salmon?

Actually, the bones in canned salmon are perfectly edible because they are already very soft and rich in calcium. If you don’t like the texture of the bones, you can of course remove them.

Many people like to crush the bones so they blend into the fish meat, and it doesn’t waste any nutrition. If you think it’s a bit troublesome, just pick them out; it’s fine to handle it however you prefer.

Should you rinse canned salmon?

It’s not necessary to rinse canned salmon. In most cases, the liquid in the can is used to keep the fish moist and flavorful. If you like that texture, you can use it directly.

However, if you find the liquid too strong in flavor or want to remove excess salt, rinsing it is fine.

Just take the fish out and rinse it gently with cold water, and the flavor will be lighter. However, after rinsing, the fish might lose some of its flavor.

Do you drain canned salmon before cooking?

It’s best to drain canned salmon before cooking, especially if you plan to use it for cakes, salads, or mix it with other ingredients. This helps remove excess liquid and prevents the dish from becoming too wet.

However, if you’re using the liquid from the can to make soup or sauce, you can leave it in to add some flavor.

If you’re just heating it up or eating it directly, draining the liquid is more appropriate.

Does canned salmon need to be heated?

Canned salmon actually doesn’t need to be heated. It is already cooked, so it’s perfectly fine to eat it directly. You can use it to make salads, sandwiches, or add it to other dishes.

Of course, if you prefer hot food, heating it is fine, such as making salmon patties or adding it to soup. Just be sure to control the heating time to avoid overcooking the fish and making it dry. In the end, it all depends on how you want to eat it!

Can I use canned salmon for sushi?

Canned salmon is not very suitable for making sushi.

Sushi usually requires fresh raw fish, while canned salmon has already been cooked and processed, so its texture and flavor are quite different from raw fish. Although it’s cooked, it might not be tender enough when making sushi.

If you really want to try, you can use canned salmon as a creative alternative, making it into something like a “sushi roll,” but the texture and taste will definitely be different from traditional raw fish sushi.

You can also try using it as a topping for sushi rice, but the flavor will be stronger, and you might need to add some seasoning to balance it.