What Are Salmon steaks and How Can I Use Them?
Here's everything worth knowing about salmon steaks and how to pick them, what they are, how to store them, and what to use instead, plus 81 recipes to cook tonight.
Key Points
- Bone-in cross-cuts through the whole fish, recognizable by their horseshoe shape.
- The backbone helps a steak hold together on the grill better than a fillet.
- Grill, broil, or pan-sear four to six minutes a side, cooking to just-set.
- Pull at 125 to 130°F for moist and creamy; 145°F is fully cooked and firmer.
- Oil the grate well, since salmon sticks and a torn steak loses its advantage.
What are salmon steaks?
Salmon steaks are bone-in cross-section cuts, sliced straight through the body of the fish so each one carries a piece of the backbone and ribs with the meat wrapped around it. You can spot one by its rough horseshoe shape, open at the belly end.
That bone is the difference between a steak and a fillet. A fillet is boneless meat lifted off one side of the fish.
A steak holds its shape on the grill and bastes the meat from the bone as it cooks, which is why some cooks swear by it for the barbecue.
How to cook a salmon steak
Salmon steaks love direct, lively heat. Grill them, broil them, or sear them in a pan, four to six minutes a side for a steak about an inch (2.5 cm) thick, turning once.
You are cooking to just-set, not falling apart. The flesh should turn from glossy translucent to opaque and flake when nudged, with the very center still moist. Internally, 125 to 130°F (52 to 54°C) gives a moist, slightly creamy result; 145°F (63°C) is the fully-cooked, firmer point.
Oil the grate well. Salmon skin and flesh both stick, and a steak that tears when you flip it loses its whole advantage over a fillet.
Flavors that work
Salmon is rich and oily enough to stand up to assertive partners. Dill is the classic, as in Salmon in Dill Sauce, and so is a sharp, acidic counterweight: lemon, capers, mustard, or a vinaigrette to cut the fat.
A pan-roast with sweet peppers, the way James Barber's Pan Roasted Salmon with Sweet Peppers does it, plays the richness against something sweet and soft. Broiled steaks take well to a brushed-on dressing, which is exactly the trick behind Broiled Salmon Steak with French Dressing.
The two flat sides of a steak give you good searing surface. Build a crust on at least one side before you finish the cooking.
Steak or fillet
Reach for a steak when you want the structure: a piece that survives the grill, looks dramatic on the plate, and gives you the bone to gnaw. A fillet is the easier eat, with no bones to pick around, and it suits gentle methods like baking or poaching better.
The bone in a steak is easy to handle. After cooking, the meat lifts cleanly away, and you can pull the center pin from the two belly flaps with your fingers.
Buying and storing
Look for firm, springy flesh with a moist sheen and a clean, briny smell. The bone should sit tight to the meat rather than gaping, with no gray or dried-out edges.
Keep salmon steaks on the coldest shelf of the fridge and cook them within a day or two of buying. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze; thaw in the fridge overnight rather than on the counter.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/2 fillet (198g)Quick facts
Where to find salmon steaks: Salmon steaks are usually found in the fish section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Salmon steaks are a member of the Finfish and Shellfish Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 鲑鱼牛排
- British (UK) term
- Salmon steaks
- en français
- darnes de saumon
- en español
- filetes de salmón
How much do salmon steaks weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| ½ fillet | 198 grams |
| 3 ounce | 85 grams |
Related
Finfish and Shellfish Products
Recipes using salmon steaks
There are 81 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Dilled Salmon Steaks
Super quick and easy way to dress up healthy omega 3 filled salmon. Dill, lemon and capers work perfectly with quick broiled salmon.
Salmon with Chive & Herb Sauce
The herb sauce was delicious and packed with flavour. However I seared the salmon in the hot skillet until nicely done, removed from the pan, then made the sauce with the remaining ingredients. Like crispy salmon rather than poached. Well definitely be making this dish again.
Oven-Roasted Salmon, Asparagus & New Potatoes
One-pan roasted salmon with asparagus, new potatoes, lemon, and dill. Complete healthy dinner ready in 35 minutes with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Salmon in Dill Sauce
Add some sophistication to dinner with this scrumptious salmon dish that will instantly become one of your new favorites.
James Barber's Pan Roasted Salmon with Sweet Peppers
A colourful vegetable mixture accompanies succulent salmon steaks for a quick and easy dish. Great with steamed rice.
Salmon with Yogurt
Broiled salmon coated in yogurt and seasoned breadcrumbs for a crispy, golden crust that keeps the fish incredibly moist inside. Low-fat and quick.
Salmon Steaks with Cucumber Dill Sauce
Salmon steaks poached with white wine, bay leaf, and fresh dill, served with a creamy cucumber dill sauce made from yogurt, mayo, and grated cucumber.
Pesto Salmon with Pan-Roasted Potatoes
Pesto-topped baked salmon with crispy garlic pan-roasted potatoes, a 5-ingredient weeknight dinner ready in about 30 minutes. Microwave the spuds first, then sear them golden while the salmon bakes.
Salmon Con Ternera
Salmon con ternera stacks poached salmon on pounded beef steak with a garlic-herb crust, ham, and shrimp. A dramatic surf-and-turf baked in one dish.
Salmon Steaks with Raspberry Mirepoix
Broiled salmon steaks brushed with raspberry vinegar and black pepper, served with a raspberry mirepoix. A light, elegant fish dinner that cooks in under 5 minutes per side.
Grilled Salmon with Surf Sauce
Grilled salmon steaks brushed with spicy barbecue sauce, topped with a shrimp and mushroom surf sauce spiked with horseradish. Works on the grill or under the broiler.
Salmon Steak Bake
Put your fishing pole to use with this savory dish that will have you wishing it was summer all year long!
Salmon Swifty
Microwave salmon steaks in under 10 minutes with this dead-simple one-ingredient method. Tender, flaky fish with zero cleanup and no oven required.
Salmon Tempura Roll with Mirin Leeks
Salmon tempura rolls wrapped in nori with mirin-glazed leeks inside, then flash-fried in rice flour batter. Restaurant-style Japanese crispy salmon roll that shatters into warm, silky salmon at the first bite.
Poached Salmon with Horseradish Sauce
Poached salmon steaks gently cooked in a lemon-and-vegetable broth, served with creamy horseradish sauce. A light low-calorie classic for dinner parties or healthy weeknights.
Salmon Steak with Cloud Ears & Noodles
Chinese clay pot salmon with cloud ear mushrooms, bean thread noodles, and pressed tofu in a gingery chicken broth. Elegant Cantonese-style fish dish with delicate aromatics and a silky sesame finish.
Quebec Poached Salmon
Quebec poached salmon steaks gently cooked in a lemon court bouillon, chilled, then cloaked in a vivid green herb mayonnaise of spinach, parsley, scallion, and pepper. An elegant make-ahead cold salmon platter.
Barbecue Salmon Steaks with Green Ginger Sauc
Barbecue salmon steaks glazed with soy sauce and sugar, served with a vibrant green sauce of parsley, chives, capers, and hard-boiled egg. A quick, elegant grilled fish dinner.
Salmon Steaks with Lemon Dill Sauce
Grilled salmon steaks with lemon slices tucked into the centers and a warm lemon-dill butter sauce. Hickory chip optional, fresh dill garnish, 40 minutes total.
Barbecued Salmon with Basil
Grilled salmon steaks brushed with lemon juice, olive oil, and crushed basil. A simple three-ingredient marinade that lets the salmon's flavor take center stage.
Salmon with Pears, Apples & Limes
Broiled salmon steaks with butter-sauteed pears, apples, and lime slices. A fruit-forward seafood dish where the sweet compote and citrus brighten rich, fatty salmon in every bite.
Salmon Steaks Almondine
Salmon steaks almondine steamed in court bouillon, finished with browned butter, toasted almonds, lemon juice, and a pinch of cayenne. A timeless French bistro classic.
Teriyaki Salmon Steaks
Grilled teriyaki salmon steaks marinated in teriyaki sauce with garlic, peanut oil, and parsley, basted on the grill until flaky. Served hot or cold.
Salmon Corncakes
Salmon corncakes flake poached salmon with sweet corn, shallots, peppers, and cilantro into pan-fried cracker-crumbed patties. Pacific Northwest meets Southwestern in one crispy bite.
Salmon Steak En Papillote
Salmon steaks baked en papillote with fresh ginger, served on a pool of white wine and lime cream sauce. An elegant foil-packet dinner with restaurant presentation.
Easy Grilled Salmon Steaks
On the grill or under the broiler in the oven, salmon steaks with a filled garlic dressing.
Sweet & Hot Salmon Steaks
Smoked salmon steaks rubbed with hot sweet mustard, dill, lemon, and minced onion. Low and slow in the smoker until flaky and loaded with sweet heat.
Poached Salmon Cutlets with Hot Basil Sauce
Poached salmon cutlets in white wine with a vibrant pureed basil sauce finished with lemon and butter. An elegant one-dish fish dinner where the poaching liquid becomes the sauce.
SALMON STEAKS
Try something new with this scrumptious dish that can be cooked on the barbecue or baked in the oven.
Salmon En Papillote with Basil Butter
Grilled salmon en papillote with homemade basil-garlic butter, tomato slices, lemon, and bay leaf. Sealed in foil packets on the barbecue for a no-mess dinner.
Salmon Steaks in Herb Blankets
Butter-baked salmon steaks served on a generous bed of fresh herbs: parsley, chives, mint, lemon thyme, and tarragon. Simple, elegant, and endlessly customizable.
Simple Salmon
Pan-fried salmon steak with green onions, fresh dill, and lemon. A no-fuss dinner for one that's crusty on the outside and tender inside in about 30 minutes.
Salmon Ala Tandy Pro
Grilled or baked salmon steaks with dill butter and a lemon juice presoak. Four ingredients, minimal prep, and done in under 30 minutes on the grill.
Grilled Salmon Steaks with Bell Pepper Sauce
Grilled salmon topped with a smoky charred red pepper sauce made with yogurt, lemon, and fresh herbs for a light summer dinner.
Salmon Steaks Teriyaki
Grilled salmon steaks glazed with a quick homemade teriyaki of soy, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame, brushed on for sticky caramelized edges. Easily made gluten-free with tamari.
Alaskan Fish Bake
Salmon steaks coated in mayo and flour-dill mixture, browned, then baked on a bed of rice cooked with vegetables and bouillon: complete one-dish meal ready in 45 minutes.
Salmon Steaks with Black Bean Sauce
Chinese steamed salmon steaks with fermented black bean sauce, fresh ginger, and scallions, finished with a sizzling hot-oil pour. Classic Cantonese fish done restaurant-style.
Fresh Salmon (Or Tuna) Au Poivre
Salmon au poivre: fresh salmon (or tuna) steaks pressed with crushed peppercorns and brushed with olive oil, then broiled or grilled. Three ingredients, French steakhouse technique, 30 minutes.
Salmon with Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Poached salmon steaks in white wine with a creamy horseradish, sour cream, and mint sauce made from the strained poaching liquid. A light, elegant fish dinner for two.
Charcoal Grilled Salmon with Spicy Black Bean
Charcoal grilled salmon steaks marinated in lemon, olive oil, and basil, served over spicy black beans simmered with ham, jalapenos, and fresh thyme. A smoky, protein-packed summer plate.
Chinese Style Mushroom Filled with Salmon Filet
Salmon steaks stuffed with julienned shiitake and enoki mushrooms, carrots, and celery, then seared and braised in a lemongrass-fish sauce glaze. Served with sticky rice.
Tagliatelle with Salmon & Horseradish Sauce
Tagliatelle with poached salmon and a cream cheese horseradish dill sauce, finished with bright herbs for a pasta dinner that tastes like a smoked salmon bagel in bowl form. Ready in 40 minutes.
Grilled Salmon with Garlic & Parsley
Broiled salmon steaks topped with a garlic, parsley, and dill breadcrumb crust. A 25-minute fish dinner finished under the broiler for a golden herb crust on a flaky salmon steak.
Ginger Salmon Steaks
Pan-seared salmon steaks topped with crispy ginger and green onion matchsticks, served over peppery arugula with a sherry-soy pan sauce. Date-night dinner for two in under 30 minutes.
Grilled Salmon Steaks in Sauce
Salmon steaks poached in a white wine sauce with scallions, lemon, cinnamon, and ginger. A light, subtly spiced French-leaning fish dish in 30 minutes.
Sweet& Sour Alaska Salmon
Sweet and sour Alaska salmon nuggets: broiled wild salmon chunks served with a pineapple-ginger dipping sauce. A fun twist on takeout using Pacific wild-caught fish.
Salmon Steaks with Wine Sauce
Salmon steaks with white wine cream sauce: tender salmon topped with a classic French-style butter, cream, egg yolk, and dry white wine sauce. A 30-minute bistro-style dinner for two.
Gilled Salmon
Broiled salmon steaks with a garlic-herb breadcrumb crust made from olive oil, parsley, dill, and garlic blended together. Crispy on top, flaky underneath.
Salmon En Papillote
Salmon en papillote with julienned carrot, zucchini, and leek in a vermouth-Dijon broth. A French foil-packet method that steams the fish in its own aromatic juices for restaurant-quality results.
More salmon steak recipes
- Alaskan Fish Bake
- All-American Salmon Saute with Mushroom Sauce
- Baked Salmon Provencale
- Broiled Salmon with Lime & Cilantro
- Easy Grilled Salmon Steaks
- Gilled Salmon
- Ginger Salmon Steaks
- Grilled Salmon Steaks in Sauce
- Grilled Salmon Steaks with Bell Pepper Sauce
- Grilled Salmon with Garlic & Parsley
- Moist Poached Salmon
- Orange Salmon Steaks
- Salmon Ala Tandy Pro
- Salmon En Papillote
- Salmon for Supper
- SALMON STEAKS
- Salmon Steaks Teriyaki
- Salmon Steaks with Black Bean Sauce
- Salmon Steamed in Parchment
- Salmon with Creamy Horseradish Sauce
- Salmon With Horseradish Cream
- Salmon with Mustard Sauce
- Salmon with Orange Sauce
- Salmon-Asparagus Manicotti
- Sauted Salmon Steaks
- Simple Salmon
- Sweet & Hot Salmon Steaks
- West Coast Garlic Salmon
