Even relatively fatty fish like salmon can go from tender and moist to chalky and dry in a flash. In the test kitchen, we use an instant-read digital thermometer to tell when salmon is done, and we prefer it cooked to 125 degrees for flesh that has the ideal balance of firm and silky. The majority of the salmon we cook in the test kitchen is farmed Atlantic, but as we’ve cooked more wild varieties, such as king, coho, sockeye, and chum, we started to wonder if this catchall temperature was appropriate across the board. We set up the following test to find out.
Science
Why You Can’t Cook Wild Salmon the Same as Farmed Salmon
Wild salmon is far leaner than farmed salmon and with firmer flesh—and that has implications for how you cook it.
By Published Oct. 4, 2019
Experiment
We cooked samples of four wild Pacific salmon species—king (Chinook), sockeye (red), coho (silver), and chum—along with farmed Atlantic salmon to both 120 degrees and 125 degrees in temperature-controlled water baths. We asked tasters to pick which sample offered the ideal texture for each type of salmon.
Results
Tasters unanimously preferred the coho, sockeye, and chum samples cooked to 120 degrees and the farmed Atlantic cooked to 125 degrees. While a few tasters preferred the king sample (the fattiest wild variety) at 125 degrees, the majority preferred it at 120 degrees.
Fat Differences Between Wild and Farmed Salmon
All wild salmon leaner is than the farmed kind, but certain species like wild coho and chum have dramatically less fat.
Takeaway
Farmed Atlantic salmon differs significantly from the half-dozen commercial wild varieties caught in the Pacific ocean. Here’s why:
The collagen protein in farmed Atlantic salmon contains fewer chemical cross-links than in wild varieties, which translates into softer flesh.
Farmed Atlantic salmon contains more fat than any wild variety (up to four times as much fat as the leanest wild variety), providing the perception of juiciness when cooked.
With naturally firmer flesh, and less fat to provide lubrication, wild salmon can have the texture of overcooked fish even at 125 degrees. By cooking the wild varieties to just 120 degrees, their muscle fibers contract less and therefore retain more moisture.
Our Favorite Salmon Recipes
Miso-Marinated Salmon
Miso is one of the best ways to flavor salmon—inside and out.Get the Recipe
Sesame-Crusted Salmon with Lemon and Ginger
For a rich, full-flavored coating, we looked to Japan—and the Middle East.Get the Recipe
Poached Salmon with Herb and Caper Vinaigrette
Poaching rarely lives up to its promise to produce silken, delicately flavored fish. We set out to eliminate chalky, tasteless poached salmon for good.Get the Recipe
Roasted Whole Side of Salmon
When it comes to serving a crowd, most cooks turn to a large roast or bird. But wouldn't it be nice to serve fish?Get the Recipe
Pan-Seared Salmon
For a crisp crust and a juicy interior, the secret is starting your salmon in a cold skillet.Get the Recipe
