How To Tell If Salmon Is Done

Salmon is a healthy delicious and versatile protein that many people love. It can be cooked on the grill, in the oven, or pan-seared.

Like cooking steaks, salmon can quickly go from being raw to overcooked if you aren’t watching it carefully.

It this post we will cover how to tell if salmon is done with temperature, fork, and simply by touch with your finger.

How to tell salmon is done with a fork

How to tell if salmon is done is as easy as a gentle press on it with your fork.

When you gently press on the salmon with a fork you are looking for the fish to be flakey but still juicy.

How to tell salmon is done with your finger

If you take your finger and lightly push on the salmon it should easily be damaged. It should pull away from itself with no effort at all.

If it is really firm and it has no give then it is not ready and you should continue to cook it.

How to tell when salmon is done by temperature

When you are cooking salmon you want to see the flakes to know that it is done.

The USDA recommends that the internal temperature at the thickest part of the fish should be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to cook salmon

Depending on the cut of salmon you are cooking such as a steak or filet will determine how long you should cook it for. Also, salmon can be prepared medium-rare, medium, medium well, or well done, just like a steak.

You always want to check the salmon to make sure that it is still good before you cook it. Check out my post on how to tell if salmon has gone bad.

This temperature will give you firm, well-done salmon. You will likely notice a white substance called albumin when your salmon is cooked well. If your fish is overcooked then the albumin will start oozing out.

a few great sides that pair well will salmon are brussels sprouts, broccoli, rice pilaf and so many more. More on the best sides to serve with salmon here.

Is it okay to eat salmon that’s a little pink?

Is this salmon done cooking? There are many ways to tell, in part to avoid over-cooking your dish and ruining it.

That’s why this quick guide on wild salmon cooking is so useful. Some people overcook their salmon, a tiny bit of pink should be fine just make sure it’s not raw if you’re dealing with salmon that is not sushi grade.

These steps are all really important if you are reheating your salmon.