Salmon Steaks Delivery or Pickup

Apart from shrimp, salmon is the most popular seafood product in the U.S. Six species of salmon are sold and consumed in the country, including one Atlantic salmon species and five Pacific salmon species. Atlantic salmon live in the Atlantic waters of North America, Europe, and the Baltic, whereas Pacific salmon can be found in the North Pacific waters of the U.S. and Canada. 

Although Pacific salmon is still freely available, over-fishing has led to the virtual extinction of wild Atlantic salmon. Commercial fishing of Atlantic salmon is prohibited, and Atlantic salmon fisheries were closed down in 1948. Today, the last wild populations of Atlantic salmon in the U.S. can be found in about eight rivers in Maine. This means that if you buy Atlantic salmon in the U.S., you're buying farmed salmon. Conversely, you're probably eating wild salmon if there's Pacific salmon on the menu. Norwegian salmon is simply Atlantic salmon that's farmed in Norway.

Salmon is classified as an oily fish and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. In general, the meat has a subtle and refreshing taste without being too overly "fishy." However, the taste and the texture of salmon vary depending on the species. For instance, wild Pacific salmon tends to have a rich, robust flavor, whereas farmed Atlantic salmon is milder in taste. The color of the meat ranges from orange to red, with the depth of the color depending on the percentage of carotenoid pigments. Wild salmon receive carotenoids from the krill and other tiny shellfish they consume.

There's actually quite a difference between farmed and wild salmon. Farmed salmon live a more sedentary lifestyle than wild salmon, and they're also fed a lot in order to grow quickly. The result is meat that contains more fat and fewer muscle fibers. Since wild salmon is the leaner meat of the two, you want to cook it at a slightly lower temperature to prevent it from drying out. While you can cook farmed salmon at around 125 degrees, opt for 120 degrees with wild salmon.

You can use salmon in a wide variety of delicious dishes, such as salmon burgers, sushi, or pasta. You can also eat the fish whole or opt for cuts of fillets or steaks. The difference between salmon fillets and steaks is that the former is cut lengthwise and parallel to the bone, whereas steaks are cut crosswise through the bone.

There are various ways in which you can prepare salmon steaks. Regardless of the method, leave the salmon outside of the fridge for a while before cooking and pat it dry with a paper towel. If it's a nice day out, you can grill the fish on an open fire. Place a lightly oiled salmon steak on hot coals, with the skin facing down. Once the skin is no longer sticking to the grill, it's time to flip it over with a spatula and cook for another few minutes. 

You can also fry your salmon steak in a pan. Season the fish with salt and pepper and place it in oil and butter in a medium-heated pan, skin-side down. Cook until the skin is golden, which should take about five minutes. Flip the steak over and let it fry for about another two minutes. Squeeze some lemon juice over the steak and serve.

If you want to try a few juicy salmon steaks, visit the Instacart website and pick your order online. One of our efficient Instacart shoppers can deliver your order to your home within as little as 2 hours!