You really can’t go wrong with nutrition-packed salmon for any meal or snack. It is always going to accomplish a delicious plate whether it is served as a lightweight lunch or a main course for an elegant or intimate dinner. As you guys know there are seriously countless ways to cook salmon. You can cold smoke it, grill it, dehydrate it, bake it in the oven. Really, anything goes. It just depends on what vibe you’re going for and what flavors you’re interested in. Today, we want to talk about a less popular, and totally underrated way to prepare salmon for deliciousness, pickling it. Yes, you read that right. Today, we’re talking about how to pickle salmon plus sharing a few seriously delicious recipes from some of our favorite food blogs.
How To Pickle Salmon
Pickling is “the process of preserving or extending the shelf life of food by either anaerobic fermentation in brine or immersion in vinegar” ( source ). When you pickle food, especially salmon it can change the texture and of course the overall flavor. But it is honestly so delicious and one of our favorite ways to eat salmon.
To make sure you pickle salmon properly, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create Your Pickle
You’ll need to decide what pickle flavors you want. However, the base of all pickling is vinegar. Clear, colorless vinegar is made using fermented grains. It’s an essential part of the pickling process. A basic pickle can include vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and any aromatics or flavors you want to add in.
Step 2: Boil Your Pickle Mixture
Put all the ingredients in a pot. Bring it to a boil until the ingredients are dissolved. Once your ingredients are fully dissolved, chill the mixture.
Step 3: Soak The Salmon
Soaking the fish in a brine for 10 minutes yields you a spongy, easy to digest, and easy to chew pickled salmon. You can increase the soak time to 15 minutes if you have thicker slices. You can pickle your fish longer if you like, just keep in mind that the longer it soaks the more acidic it will taste.
Pickled Salmon Shelf Life
Ideally, the pickle will last for up to one week. Pickled salmon can be stored in the refrigerator for longer life.
Pickled Salmon Recipe Ideas
You can get so creative with your pickled salmon recipes. Below are some of our favorites we recommend you try at home.
Pickled Salmon Bites by Taste Guru
We love this recipe because it has both an upscale taste and aesthetic. Throw this recipe together for an appetizer or small bites to share family style.
Pickled Lox by Martha Stewart
Pickled salmon is a fun way to spice up your morning bagel and lox. Plus, we honestly love anything by Martha. Her pickled lox recipe is one of the best! We definitely recommend trying it for your next brunch or breakfast.
Pickled Salmon Finger Sandwiches by CDKitchen:
Another great appetizer option! We love these for cocktail parties, appetizers, or even just wine night with your friends. They go great with champagne and light snacks.
Sweet and Sour Pickled Salmon Steaks by From The Grapevine:
Hoping to cook a full meal or wow your guests at your next dinner party? This one is perfect for you! We love these sweet and sour pickled salmon steaks. It’s light and fresh but still satisfying enough for an entree.
Easy, Light Pickled Salmon Salad by Grab and Go Recipes
This one is great if you’re trying to eat light but still feel full and satisfied. This salad is easy to make and totally delicious. You can throw it together for a party of one, or make individual salads for when you have guests over for dinner.
There are many different ways to enjoy pickled salmon. Hopefully pickled salmon is now on your list to try. To try this method we recommend the freshest salmon on the market, Oshen Salmon. If you’ve tried pickled salmon, we would love to know how you serve it and what recipes you love.
