In today’s article I will show you how to cook canned salmon in a pan with some spaghetti.
Nutritious salmon comes in many shapes, sizes, and packages. You can find it frozen, fresh, or canned.
All of them are considered nutritional powerhouses, containing mind-blowingly high amounts of healthy omega fats, both 3 and 6, calcium, protein, vitamin D, minerals, vitamin B12, and selenium. Wild-caught salmon, especially from Alaska, is considered the healthiest option of all.
It’s staggeringly easy to make a filling and delicious meal out of them, on a variety of budgets. According to dieticians, you should consume healthy fish two times a week to get the most benefits, with the least downsides.
Many fish contain heavy metals, so eating them every day wouldn’t do much good in the long run. Canned salmon has slightly more sodium than its fresh counterpart, so be careful of oversalting your meal.
Is canned salmon cooked?
Canned salmon, unlike its fresh counterpart, is already cooked, cleaned, and ready to eat. It’s a comfortable option when you crave a fancy seafood option but don’t have too much time on your hands.
Canned fish are gutted, cleaned, and cooked. Squeezing some lime or lemon zest on them can freshen up the taste significantly.
They are one of the healthiest snacks you can enjoy, especially with some fresh veggies on the side.
Can you eat salmon out of the can?
Straight out of the can is one of the easiest ways to devour canned salmon. There is no hassle with it. Sprinkle some lemon juice on it, and get your forks.
Canned fish is fully cooked and cleaned, and everything you find in the can, including skin and bones, is perfectly safe and healthy to eat.
However, if you see any damage to the can or any changes in its shape, it might have been broken.
This can lead to harmful bacteria spreading on the fish, making it unsafe to eat. When opening the can, always smell the salmon. Excessive gassy smells or rotten, foul aromas are an absolute no-no! The smell can be mild or strongly fishy, which is both fine.
What is the best way to cook canned salmon?
With canned salmon, you can fix yourself a quick lunch or dinner in a few minutes without cooking the fish any further. However, when you crave something fancier, you might want to grill it or mix it in a wok-meal. In that case, you only need an extra 5-10 minutes to do so.
The best way to turn canned salmon into a full meal is to grill them slightly, only to give them a light charr and a golden brown outer layer. This is an excellent choice when you have skin-on canned salmon in your pantry.
Microwaving fish is possible, although not recommended. It doesn’t do any good for the fish’s texture.
On the other hand, if you have a wok, or a bigger skillet, with some canned salmon and fresh veggies, you can make a delicious, flavorful, and healthy meal. Pair them with some pasta or rice, or wrap them all up in a tortilla.
Frying up a seafood patty is a very popular way to prepare them as well.
How to Cook Canned Salmon in a Pan With Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 2 can Wild-caught salmon drained
- 2 Medium tomatoes (sliced)
- 3 Green onions (thinly sliced)
- 6 Cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1/3 cup Cilantro (finely chopped)
- 3 Bell peppers (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 1 Lime juice
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 1 teaspoon Ginger (ground)
- A pinch of cayenne or black pepper
- A pinch of sea salt
- ½ cup Coconut cream
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 pack Spaghetti
Instructions
- Sear the tomatoes, onions, cilantro, garlic, peppers, and ginger in olive oil until they are soft.
- Add the salmon, pepper, salt, parsley, honey, coconut cream, and sear them.
- Sauté them on medium heat until creamy and smooth. Add half of the lime zest, and simmer for 2 minutes on low heat.
- Set them aside and boil the spaghetti until al dente for 8 minutes in boiling salty water.
- Plate the spaghetti in a bowl topped with creamy coconut salmon sauce, and sprinkle some more lime zest on top right before serving.
- Enjoy!
How do I know when the salmon is done?
Raw salmon is red and slightly translucent. When done, it becomes opaque. It’s safe to eat it after at least 7 minutes of cooking, and with a slightly pink internal color.
Canned salmon is already cooked, so the main concern is not to overdo it. When making a dish with canned fish, always incorporate the fish at the last minute, so it does not need as much cooking time as raw veggies.
Can I microwave canned salmon?
Microwaving shouldn’t be your first choice when preparing any fish, be it canned, frozen, or fresh. It doesn’t do any good for the texture. It’s easy to overcook them into a mess, or heat them just enough to cause food poisoning, as bacteria love a comfy, warm environment.
If you don’t have much time to do something with canned fish and want to use the microwave, make sure to follow the instructions the manufacturer provided with the machine.
Canned salmon doesn’t necessarily need to be heated or cooked any further. You can simply mix it with a bag of fresh veggies and make some garlic toast on the side. That’s one of the healthiest meals you can have, and it’s done in under 5 minutes! Healthy eating doesn’t have to be a hassle all the time.
Tips and tricks for a better recipe
Drain the liquid from the can, add the fish to any dish, or grill them some more. Some canned salmon come with skin and bones, and those are edible as well. They are healthy, so don’t throw them away. Grilling the salmon with the skin on also helps you retain more moisture in the fish and keeps it from drying out.
For a budget-friendly option, buy store-brand salmon instead of fancy, more expensive ones. They are just as good. Pink salmon tends to be the best in flavor and texture as well. If you plan to incorporate them into a meal, go for low-sodium canned ones.
Salmon is an amazing alternative to unhealthier red meats in tortillas, on pizzas, in salads, or pasta dishes. It’s a boldly flavored ingredient, and some people don’t like fish as much. For them, squeezing some lime juice and sprinkling fresh herbs and pepper on them can take away most of the fishy aroma.
When cooking canned fish, remember not to overcook them; they just need some quick charring or heating.
Final words
Some meals have raw salmon, such as sushi. They taste amazing, but it’s better to leave their preparation to a professional. Sushi-grade raw salmon is rarely found in supermarkets and is very expensive.
When craving sushi at home, skip the raw salmon and make it with canned or seared salmon.
When searing, go for skin-on canned salmon, as the skin protects the meat from leaking moisture and keeps it intact.
A non-stick pan is best for cooking salmon, be it canned or fresh. When you are unsure about the doneness, keep in mind that undercooked salmon can be dangerous, while overcooked salmon is simply an inconvenience.
When in doubt, dry and less bold-tasting salmon is always better than any food poisoning. On these occasions, you can compensate with masterful sauces.
So, do you already know how to cook canned salmon with spaghetti in a pan? Please, feel free to leave your comments below!
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