Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (2024)

Fresh, wild salmon is a seasonal catch. That means buying it at the peak of its season ensures the freshest fish and the widest variety. Our wild fresh salmon is at the pinnacle of freshness, so each fillet is wholesome, rich and 100% delicious—just the way we like it.

Tips for Selecting & Serving Wild SalmonWhen you’re picking out your salmon, look for a fillet that’s moist and glistening. The flesh should be slightly resilient and firm when lightly pressed. As with most fish, it’s best to cook it on the same day it was purchased. If you do purchase ahead (we suggest one day at most), keep it in a very cool refrigerator or cooler with ice.

Texture, firmness and oil content vary depending on the species of salmon. In general, the higher the oil content, the stronger, more richly flavored the salmon will be.

To select the best salmon, consider your desired flavor preference and preferred cooking method. Try it grilled, broiled, seared or steamed—this fresh catch is as versatile as it is tasty. Use our guide below to select the perfect fillet for your next gathering.

Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (1)

1King Salmon

King Salmon has rich, red flesh that’s firm and vibrant. Its high oil content gives it a delicious, distinct flavor. When cooked, King Salmon tastes buttery and retains its moisture. We recommend serving it grilled, roasted or pan-seared.

Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (2)

2Sockeye Salmon

This fish has deep, firm red flesh that retains its hue throughout the cooking process. Its medium oil content gives it rich flavor that’s only slightly milder than king salmon. Sockeye Salmon retains its moisture when cooked. Try it grilled or smoked for the best flavor and texture.

Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (3)

3Coho Salmon

Orange-red in color, Coho Salmon is one of the milder varieties of salmon due to its lower oil content. Its texture is medium-firm. These fillets are quite versatile and are best enjoyed grilled on wood planks, steamed, poached or even sautéed.

Grilled or pan seared? Skin, or no skin? Cooking salmon can be intimidating but doesn’t have to be. Read below for our favorite 3 methods for cooking and enjoying salmon

How rare you like your salmon is a matter of personal preference. Contrary to popular thought, salmon can be enjoyed when it is still on the medium to medium-rare side. We recommend cooking salmon medium or medium-well as opposed to well-done. To do this, remove your salmon from the heat when it begins to turn a lighter pink color about a third of the way up the side of the fillet.
Most salmon recipes vary in cooking time. Just be sure to adjust the time to your desired level of doneness. See below for some of our favorite ways to prepare, cook and serve wild salmon.

Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (4)Blackened Wild Salmon with Grilled Corn, Peach and Avocado Salsa

Grilling is one of our go-to methods for cooking salmon. It’s easy and delivers so much flavor!

If you like crispy skin, grill your fish skin-side down first (otherwise, start with the skinless side). Be careful not to overcook – it should only take about 10 minutes to cook through. You know you’ve gone too far if you see white areas forming on the fish. And make sure to let your salmon rest for a few minutes after grilling, just as you would any other protein.

One of our favorite ways to grill salmon is with our blackened seasoning. The spice really accentuate the flavors of the fish. Try our delicious recipe for Blackened Wild Salmon with Grilled Corn, Peach and Avocado Salsa.

Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (5)

Grilled Salmon Veracruz

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Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (6)

Grilled Salmon Raspberry Wasabi Salad

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Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (7)

Grilled Salmon with Chimichurri

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Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (8)Crispy Skin Salmon with Spicy Watermelon and Berry Salsa

Skin, or no? It all depends on how you plan to cook your fish. It’s common to see recipes that don’t indicate whether or not to remove the skin, since it’s quite easy to remove after cooking. Once your salmon is cooked, simply slide a metal spatula between the skin and the flesh of the fillet to remove the skin. It should separate very easily.

Although salmon is most commonly served with the skin removed, we love cooking it with the skin on. If you prepare it the right way, the salmon skin adds a deliciously crispy texture and salty crunch. Try this method in our recipe for Crispy Skin Salmon with Spicy Watermelon and Berry Salsa.

Here are some of our other pan-cooked favorites. Each is paired with a flavorful accompaniment, from vibrant beet and radish salad to tangy, savory cherry sauce.

Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (9)

Seared Salmon with Beet and Radish Salad

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Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (10)

Blackened Salmon with Nectarine Hatch Chile Salsa

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Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (11)

Salmon with Cherries, Farro and Arugula

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Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (12)Oven-Poached Salmon Fillets with Watercress Mayonnaise

Slow-cooking fish in the oven at a lower heat is a great way to ensure the fillet is tender and evenly cooked. Baking salmon is also a little more forgiving and allows you to cook a larger quantity of food without having to tend to it regularly, making it an ideal method for entertaining. Once you’ve mastered baking salmon, you can improvise with any of your favorite accompaniments. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

In our recipe for Roasted Salmon with Mustard, Lemon and Dill, we spread a delicous mixture of mustards, olive oil and dill over the salmon and roast until a nice crust forms on top.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy baked salmon. Try it rubbed with brown sugar and chili powder for a sweet crust with a kick of heat. Or, try one of our bold and easy-to-make sauces.

Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (13)

Roast Harissa Salmon with Fennel and Lemon

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Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (14)

Baked Salmon with Lemon Caper Butter

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Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (15)

Broiled Chili Lime Maple Salmon

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Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon | Salmon Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to do with a fresh caught salmon? ›

If you wish to serve fresh Alaskan salmon at your next dinner event, read on for seven of the best ways to prepare it.
  1. Baked in Parchment. Spread out a large rectangle of parchment paper on your workspace. ...
  2. Seared in the Pan. ...
  3. Poached in Wine. ...
  4. Wrapped in Pastry. ...
  5. Cooked on a Campfire. ...
  6. Broiled With Honey. ...
  7. Roasted Low and Slow.

How do you make wild salmon taste better? ›

Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper - This wild caught salmon recipe is totally basic! The quality of the fish speaks for itself, seasoned very simply with just olive oil, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don't skimp on the salt, it enhances the natural flavor of the fish.

How long should I cook wild caught salmon? ›

Baking or broiling wild salmon usually requires about 8 to 12 minutes at 400 degree F for roasting, and 5 to 7 minutes on medium-high for broiling. Thickness varies, so adjust the time accordingly.

What's the difference between salmon and wild caught salmon? ›

Whereas wild salmon eat other organisms found in their natural environment, farmed salmon are given a processed, high fat, high protein diet that makes them larger (4). The production of farmed salmon has increased dramatically.

How do you cook wild salmon so it's not dry? ›

Wrap your salmon in a parchment packet with aromatics, citrus, veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil. The steam trapped in the packet will infuse the fish with flavor and cook it gently, making it tender and juicy. Bonus: The parchment packets only take about 15 minutes at 425°F and the cleanup is minimal.

Do you rinse fresh salmon before cooking? ›

No, you are not supposed to wash salmon fillets before cooking them. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) advises against washing raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry, which can spread bacteria to other foods and surfaces. The only effective way to get rid of bacteria is to cook it.

What should I put on top of my salmon? ›

A creamy but slightly tangy sauce works really well with salmon, and it's why sour cream-dill sauce over salmon is such a classic. Try mixing in curry powder, Sriracha, or scallions into yogurt or crème fraîche for an easy, elegant salmon topper.

What to put on salmon before cooking? ›

Place the salmon filet on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs. If you want to add flavor and moisture to the salmon, place a few lemon slices or fresh herbs on top of the filet.

Is it better to cook salmon in the oven or on the stove? ›

For smaller, crispy, skin-on Salmon; a crispy pan sear is recommended. For bigger fillets, and succulent, skin-off King Salmon; the best method would be cooking in an oven.

Do you wash wild caught salmon? ›

Washing your salmon also eliminates impurities like sand and dirt, creating a clean canvas for cooking. Clean fish makes a better vessel for seasoning and marinades and removes any foul odor.

How often is it safe to eat wild caught salmon? ›

Even by the most conservative estimates, it's safe to eat wild Alaskan salmon once or twice a week. The two most recent reports say the benefits of eating salmon—wild or farmed—greatly outweigh the risks.

Is it better to eat wild caught or farmed salmon? ›

Wild salmon is low in contaminants — a clean source of protein that you can feel good about eating. Farmed salmon could often be highly contaminated with toxins that are harmful to human health. Wild salmon are naturally a vibrant shade of pink or red because of their diet of wild crustaceans and zooplankton.

Why is wild caught salmon more expensive? ›

Wild-caught salmon is more difficult to find and can sometimes cost more because it's harder to get. ‌Farm-raised salmon are grown in tanks or freshwater enclosures. They are bred to be eaten. Sometimes, they have a different texture and varying nutrients.

Is Trader Joe's salmon wild caught? ›

Indeed, our Sockeye Salmon presents this peppy hue. It's wild-caught in the icy waters of the major Northeast Pacific fishing area located west of Canada and south of Alaska.

What is the healthiest salmon to eat? ›

There are many different types of salmon — specifically, five types of Pacific salmon and two types of Atlantic salmon. These days, Atlantic salmon is typically farmed, while Pacific salmon species are primarily wild-caught. Wild-caught Pacific salmon are typically considered to be the healthiest salmon.

How long does fresh caught salmon last in the fridge? ›

Salmon can be kept for up to two days in the refrigerator. Remove the salmon from its wrappings, rinse thoroughly with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Wrap the fish tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by another layer of aluminum foil.

Can you eat raw salmon right after you catch it? ›

Healthline says yes, but not without risk. Even if you're eating salmon fresh out of the ocean, the fish can still be ridden with bacteria and parasites absorbed from the natural environment. The only way to kill these pathogens would be to cook the salmon to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

What to do with a fish after you catch it? ›

Bring along a cooler with plenty of ice to store your catch until you get home - make sure the lid seals tightly. To preserve a fresh taste, clean your fish as soon as possible. It's best to eat the fish the same day you catch it. If this is not possible, you can store it your refrigerator for 2-3 days.

How long does fresh salmon last in the fridge? ›

In the Refrigerator: Whole Salmon:A whole, gutted salmon can stay fresh in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Salmon Fillets or Steaks:If the salmon is cut into fillets or steaks, it should be consumed within 1 to 2 days.

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