What Are Salmon fillets and How Can I Use Them?
If salmon fillets have turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use them with confidence and how to choose them, cook them, store them, what to substitute, and 167 recipes to try them in.
Key Points
- The boneless side of salmon; even thickness is what makes it cook uniformly.
- Feel for pin bones down the thick half and pull them with tweezers before cooking.
- Sear skin-side down in a hot pan; the skin releases on its own once crisp.
- Cut squared-off portions, not tapering strips, so the thin tail does not overcook.
- Cook within one to two days; skin-on freezes better than skinless.
What are salmon fillets?
A salmon fillet is the boneless side of the fish cut lengthwise off the backbone. It is the form most weeknight salmon cooking starts from.
For the fish itself, its color and doneness and the wild-versus-farmed split, see salmon. This page is about handling the cut: finding pin bones, portioning evenly, and crisping the skin.
Fillets come skin-on or skinless, as a whole side or in portioned pieces. The thickness changes across one fillet, the head end thick and the tail end thin, which is the detail that decides how it cooks.
Pin Bones and Portioning
Even a fillet labeled boneless usually keeps a row of pin bones down the center of the thick half. Run a fingertip along the flesh and you will feel them as small hard tips.
Pull them before cooking, never after.
Use fish tweezers or sturdy needle-nose pliers, gripping each bone at the surface and tugging in the direction it leans, not straight up, so you do not tear the flesh.
When you portion a whole side, cut squared-off pieces of even thickness rather than long tapering strips. Even pieces finish at the same time; a tapering one overcooks at the thin tail before the thick end is done.
Searing a Skin-On Fillet
Skin-on fillets are made for the pan. Pat the skin bone-dry and salt it, then lay the fillet skin-side down in a hot pan with a little oil and press it flat for the first ten seconds so it does not curl.
Now leave it alone. The skin sticks at first and releases on its own once it crisps, usually after most of the cooking is already done from that side. Flip for just a minute to finish.
A moderately hot oven does the gentler version. Roasted skin-side down, a Roasted Salmon with Cilantro-Pesto Vinaigrette or a herb-topped Baked Salmon with Dill keeps the flesh moist while the skin protects the bottom.
Fillets also poach and steam cleanly because they sit flat, the method behind Steamed Salmon & Asparagus with Mustard Dill Sauce and a gentle Poached Salmon with Scallions.
Buying and Storage
Ask for center-cut pieces when you can. They are an even thickness end to end, so they cook uniformly, while tail pieces thin out and dry at the edges.
Look for moist, glossy flesh that springs back when pressed, with no gapping into separated flakes and no sour smell. If the fillet is sitting in liquid in the tray, it has been thawed a while.
Keep fillets cold and cook within one to two days, or freeze. Skin-on freezes better than skinless because the skin shields the flesh from freezer burn.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 fillet (198g)Quick facts
Where to find salmon fillets: Salmon fillets are usually found in the meats section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Salmon fillets are a member of the Finfish and Shellfish Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 鲑鱼片
- British (UK) term
- Salmon fillets
- en français
- filets de saumon
- en español
- filetes de salmón
How much do salmon fillets weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| ½ fillet | 198 grams |
| 3 ounce | 85 grams |
Related
Finfish and Shellfish Products
Recipes using salmon fillets
There are 167 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Pasta Shells with Salmon, Tomatoes & Toasted Bread Crumbs
This easy and simple recipe also came out delicious. Lemon juice added a touch of refreshing taste, and the overall flavour was well balanced. Giving this dish a five star.
Salmon Fillet with Dilled Potatoes
Quick, easy and delicious. The creamy potato salad was a great side dish to serve with dilly salmon, and we had all the goodness our bodies needed as well. A perfect dinner on a busy weekday.
Favorite Grilled Salmon & Marinade
Grilled salmon with a tangy red wine vinegar and Italian-herb marinade. A simple, foolproof grilling recipe with garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs that lets the salmon flavor shine.
Seafood in Coconut, Ginger & Lemongrass Sauce
A delightful gourmet recipe brought to you by Real Food Direct
Salmon Rosemary Burgers
Salmon rosemary burgers with hand-chopped fresh salmon, Dijon, horseradish, and fragrant rosemary. A hearty grilled fish burger that holds together on the grates without falling apart into the fire.
Creamy Salmon & New Potato Salad
Creamy yet refreshing. The salmon and new potatoes were tossed with a creamy dressing, and it was so tasty.
Grilled Whole Salmon Fillet
Whole salmon fillet grilled on foil with a sweet teriyaki-lemon glaze and garlic. Smoky, caramelized edges with moist, flaky fish inside. Stunning for a crowd, simple enough for a weeknight.
Brown Sugar & Soy Glazed Salmon with Broccoli Rice
This easy to make dish will for sure wow your dinner table. The brown sugar and soy sauce glaze is salty and sweet, which makes a delicious crust for the salmon after broiling. Broccoli rice is a perfect side dish to go with the salmon.
Salmon Poached with Tomatoes & Swiss Chard
Salmon poached in a fragrant tomato, ginger, and coconut milk broth with Swiss chard. A one-pan main dish that finishes in 15 minutes with tender flaking fish.
Salmon in Aioli Sauce
A rich and delicious and satisfying salmon dish that even meets all the requirements of a Paleo diet.
Ginger Cedar Planked Salmon with Maple Glaze
Grilled Ginger-Sesame Cedar Planked Salmon with Maple Glaze recipe
Glazed Salmon Fillets
Quick and easy glazed salmon fillets. Asian inspired flavors that is rich in protein and healthy fats.
Brown Sugar & Soy Grilled Salmon
Excellent, the taste was awesome, very easy. This is probably by far my favorite salmon recipe.
Seared Salmon
Very nice flavor and easy to make. I drizzled some of the marinade over the salmon during the covered cooking time and used it as a sauce. I might add some chopped fresh ginger to the marinade next time. Cooking time was perfect.
Polynesian Glazed Salmon
A succulent and tantalizing salmon dish made with garlic, horseradish and pure maple syrup.
Easy Baked Salmon with Dill on Rice
Oven baked salmon with dill recipe bakes in rice topped tomatoes and mushrooms for an easy weekday main dish recipe.
15 Minute Perfect Shallow Poached Salmon
Incredibly quick and easy and packed with flavor. Shallow poaching keeps the flavor from leeching into the poaching liquid and then reducing the liquid to make a sauce captures every last drop of delicate flavor.
Crispy Salmon with Mushrooms
Quick and easy. Cooking the salmon on one side over a higher heat creates an incredibly crispy coating to the salmon with or without the skin. In this recipe a flavorful mushroom broth is quickly made. Any kind of mushrooms can be used but if you can find them try Enoki straw mushrooms for a unique treat.
Secret Fresh Salmon Cakes
These homemade salmon patties are made with fresh salmon for a crispy exterior and tender interior. Learn the secrets for the best salmon patty you've ever had.
Balsamic Glazed Salmon
This easy balsamic glaze makes a delicious coating for salmon. Enjoy it with simply roasted asparagus.
Salmon, Broccoli, & Mushroom Pasta
Pan seared salmon is gently tossed with browned mushrooms, broccoli, some good extra-virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
Salmon Wellington with Dilled Hollandaise
Salmon and spinach stuffed inside of puff pastry then roasted until golden. Crispy and flaky on the outside, served with a tangy and creamy sauce.
Pesto Salmon & Sea Scallops with Shallot Sauce
Salmon is rich in omega 3 and is becoming more and more popular in our normal cooking, in this recipe we use salmon and scallops with the delicious shallot sauce, easy and simple to make, and very flavorful.
Salmon Mousse with Watercress Sauce
Salmon mousse with brandy-flambeed mushrooms and shallots, set with gelatin and folded with whipped cream, served sliced with a fresh watercress-mayonnaise sauce.
Fish & Potato Platter
Microwave salmon and potato platter with broccoli, lemon juice, and a fresh dill-yogurt sauce. A complete one-platter dinner cooked in about 10 minutes with no oven needed.
Grilled Salmon with Lemon & Thyme
Don't let the summer go to waste and try this savory salmon dish that you will want to enjoy everyday.
Grilled Salmon with Potato & Watercress Salad
Grilled salmon with potato and watercress salad, a smoky indirect-grilled salmon served over pickled red onion potato salad and peppery watercress. Low-fat summer dinner for six.
Grilled Alaska Salmon
Grilled Alaska salmon with an Asian-style marinade of soy sauce, balsamic, ginger, garlic, brown sugar and sesame. Sweet-savory backyard salmon with charred edges.
Salmon for Louise
Pan-seared salmon fillets finished in a silky sherry-Madeira cream sauce with garlic, shallots, roasted red peppers, and mushrooms. Restaurant-plate elegance at home.
Salmon Roasted with Cilantro Pesto
Salmon roasted with cilantro pesto made from fresh cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and olive oil, topped with chopped tomato. A bright, 30-minute fish dinner with bold Latin flavors.
Confit of Salmon with Roasted Shallots, Garlic & Red Wine
Salmon confit gently poached in duck fat with lemon and thyme, served with roasted shallots, garlic, and a velvety red wine reduction. Restaurant-quality at home.
Fillet Mosaic with Red Pepper Sauce
Fillet mosaic of woven sole, salmon, and spinach strips poached in fish stock and served on a roasted red pepper sauce with white wine and apple jelly. A stunning, restaurant-quality fish presentation.
Barbecued Salmon with Field Greens
Spice-rubbed grilled salmon with chili, cumin, allspice, and paprika, served over organic field greens tossed in a smoky tomato-balsamic vinaigrette. A restaurant-quality dinner in 45 minutes.
Blackened Salmon Sandwich
Grilled blackened wild salmon on toasted whole wheat rolls with creamy avocado mayo, peppery arugula, roma tomatoes, and red onion. Healthy, high-protein, and ready in 25 minutes flat.
Fish Steamed in Napa Cabbage
Steamed fish rolls: salmon and sole wrapped in napa cabbage leaves, bamboo-steamed and served over a silky roasted red pepper sauce. An elegant, low-fat dinner party starter.
Salmon with Citrus Habanero Salsa
Pan-seared salmon with a citrus habanero salsa made from tomatoes, tomatillos, orange juice, cumin, and cinnamon. Bright, fiery, and butter-finished in 20 minutes.
East: Calcutta Curried Fish with Crisp Vegetables
Kolkata-style curried salmon simmered with whole spices, yogurt, and mustard, served over crisp-tender steamed vegetables. Fragrant with cardamom, cloves, and fresh ginger.
Salmon with Curried Cabbage
Salmon cubes steamed over curried cabbage in a fast microwave method that keeps the fish silky and infuses the greens with warm curry flavor. A low-effort, high-reward weeknight dinner.
Pan-Seared Grapefruit Simmered Salmon with Slivered Almonds
Pan-seared salmon simmered in fresh grapefruit, carrot juice, orange-ginger mustard, and a splash of sesame oil, finished with toasted slivered almonds and cilantro. Bright, citrusy, and low-fat.
Northwest Grilled Samon
Northwest grilled salmon glazed with honey butter and dill, cooked skin-on over moderate heat until it just starts to flake. Only four ingredients for a stunning fillet.
Salmon with Leek Foudue
Pan-seared salmon on a bed of creamy leek fondue with a saffron butter sauce. A French-style restaurant dish with two distinct sauces built from wine, shallots, and cream.
Simple Salmon Fillets
This technique will give you delicious, moist salmon every time--just don't overdo the cooking! The broiler bit isn't mandatory, it just gives a nice finish.
Grilled Meli Melo of Seafood with Soy Beurre Blanc
Grilled meli melo of seafood: salmon, sea bass, swordfish, shrimp, and scallops plated over crispy fried leeks and drizzled with a soy-spiked French beurre blanc. Fine-dining fusion on a plate.
Amazing Linguine Deliziose
Linguine deliziose tosses lightly floured shrimp and salmon with sauteed leeks, mushrooms, garlic, and white wine, then finishes with linguine in a buttery marjoram-parsley sauce. San Francisco surf-and-pasta feast.
Salmon Fillets with Horseradish-Potato Crust
Salmon fillets topped with horseradish and a crispy shredded potato crust, baked until golden. A fast oven-to-table fish dinner with sharp heat and a shatter-crisp finish.
Salmon with Chipotle Sesame Vinaigrette & Fried Basmati Rice
Seared salmon over loaded seafood fried basmati rice with oysters, shrimp, scallops and crawfish, drizzled with chipotle sesame vinaigrette. A Southwestern-Asian mashup plate with bold layered flavors.
Grilled Salmon Sandwich
Grilled salmon sandwich on pumpernickel with a garlic-lemon-dill sauce, tarragon-seasoned fillets, Boston lettuce, and Roma tomatoes. Light, bright, and low calorie.
Braised Salmon with Leeks
Salmon fillets briefly braised on a tender bed of chiffonade leeks with garlic, lemon, and fresh tarragon. A 25-minute French-leaning dinner where the leeks become the sauce.
More salmon fillet recipes
- Baked Salmon
- Baked Salmon Packets
- Baked Salmon with Herb Sauce
- Beard Kabobs
- Broiled Salmon Fillets with Fennel Sauce
- Fillet of Salmon Poached in Lemon & Wine
- Ginger Lemongrass-Scented Salmon En Papillote
- Glazed Salmon
- Grilled Salmon Fillets in Lettuce with Mustard
- Grilled Salmon Fillets in Lettuce with Mustard Sauce
- Grilled Salmon with Honey Mustard Glaze
- Grilled Salmon with Minted Salsa
- Herbed Salmon in Foil
- J'Ande's Salmon En Papillote
- New Mexico Style Barbecued Salmon
- Northwest Grilled Samon
- Oven Poached Salmon
- Pan-Seared Grapefruit Simmered Salmon with Slivered Almonds
- Salmon & Cucumber Sauce
- Salmon Burgers with Pineapple Rings
- Salmon Fillets Buried in Potatoes
- Salmon in Cabbage Leaves
- Salmon Italianne
- Salmon Teriyaki
- Salmon with Curried Cabbage
- Salmon with Spinach
- Salmon, Cucumber Chili Salad
- Salmon, Cucumber, Dill Salad
- Salmon-And-Olives Tartar
- Sauteed Salmon Scallops with Greens
- Simple Salmon Fillets
- Smoked Salmon Fillet Wrapped in Spinach
- Spiced Salmon Kebabs
- Steamed Salmon Sauce
- Warm Salad of Steamed Salmon
