You’re probably familiar with succulent pork or beef burnt ends, but what about other proteins? I’ve found that by using cubed Salmon for burnt ends, you can get a classic feel with the taste you love from good fish. Better still, cooking it is far faster than the recipes for traditional meats. The best advantage of all? They’re ridiculously delicious. 

All about Salmon

One of the reasons cooks appreciate Salmon is because of its versatility. IMO it’s a Chef’s dream come true! You can prepare and use it in many different ways including:

• Cedar-plank cooked
• Creamed for a shmear on bagels
• As Fish sticks
• Formed into cakes or burgers
• Grilled
• Oven-baked or roasted
• Poached
• In Salad
• Skillet fried
• Smoked
• As Sushi, Sashimi, Poki
• In Taco filling

If you’re not familiar with Salmon, it’s a mild, rich-flavored fish (albeit somewhat oily). If you barbecue, bake or fry Salmon you will draw out a buttery edge and create a golden, satisfying crust. Smoking Salmon is a great option too. 

Farmed & Fresh Salmon 

Salmon is a popular fish with a lovely pinkish-orange hue. In the wild, they’re HUGE. Atlantic Salmon grow up to 12 pounds, while King Salmon comes in at 150 pounds! That’s a whole lotta eatin’.

The Pacific Ocean and tributaries of the North Atlantic are the predominant homes for Salmon. If you have the choice between farmed and wild-caught, I recommend the latter because it usually has a better quality. Unlike Halibut, which is flaky, Salmon has a meatier consistency, which is why you can make it into burnt ends without losing fish bits. 

Are Salmon Burnt Edges Fishy-Smelling?

The smell of Salmon connects with the way in which it was prepared. For example, raw Salmon should smell lightly fishy and salty. It can be consumed in raw form. When you bake or poach Salmon it smells much like whatever aromatics you used, like garlic and lemon. If it smells strongly of fish, it’s a sign the piece has gone bad. Grilled Salmon is similar but takes on a smoky element.

Tip: If you’ve purchased fresh Salmon, it should not have a fishy taste or smell after cooking. It should not be gray or dull-looking, slimy or sticky

Health Benefits of Salmon

The beauty of Salmon beyond the obvious pleasure it gives to foodies is that it is healthy. Salmon is high in Vitamin B, which supports a healthy nervous system. The fish provides 13% of the recommended daily amount of potassium in a 3.5-ounce serving, more than a banana. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure. Additionally, Salmon contains Astaxanthin, which supports good, HDL cholesterol. 

And that’s only skimming the surface! So, let’s get eating.