Ever gone hungry to the point of wishing your fresh tuna in the fridge was cooked? You’d be lucky if you had a can of any other fish, but then you wonder- is canned salmon cooked? After all, it canned salmon you stumbled upon! Chances are you’ll rush to google, and that’s how you got here, where I will answer all your questions about canned salmon.
Away from the kitchen, you need food that’s well preserved whenever you are on outdoor activities like hiking and camping. Canned food is ideal for such scenarios, and if you love salmon, you must be eager to know if you can consume it straight from the can.
Got a can of salmon already? Let’s see if you can skip kitchen prep time.
Is Canned Salmon Already Cooked?
We know that salmon can be eaten raw, but if it were from the can, you possibly wouldn’t want to eat it raw and stale. Relax because such a scenario is only imaginary- canned salmon is always cooked. This doesn’t happen literally but through heat treatment. It’s possibly why people still wonder if canned salmon is cooked.
Salmon is placed in cans of half a pound (213g) and a quarter a pound (106g) during the processing and packaging. This is the net weight of the salmon.
The meat in the can is then heat processed by loading each buggy of cans into steam pressure vessels. These vessels look like two-ended retorts. The containers are then vented to remove all the air trapped inside them and pre-warm them. This process lasts at least 18 minutes and at a temperature not lower than 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Alone, this process will just cook the salmon.
After pre-warming, the salmon in cans is then heat-processed at a temperature of 255 degrees Fahrenheit for 70 minutes if the cans are half-pound packed and of a tapered form. For quarter-pound straight-sided cans, the temperature is maintained at 245 degrees Fahrenheit too, but the process is required to last only at least 43 minutes. These guidelines are provided by the NFPA.
As you can see, canned salmon has absolutely no chance of remaining raw.
Related:
Is Canned Salmon Good For You?
There have always been concerns with canned food, especially meat, because of the chemical preservatives used. Apart from the high sodium content, chemical preservatives include nitrates and nitrites that are known carcinogens.
Salmon is preserved and packaged in a rather peculiar way. Instead of all the unwanted chemicals, salt is the only additive used in canned salmon. With heat treatment, salt is enough to keep the salmon in a good state for years.
Canned salmon is thus suitable for you. It has lots of benefits, including nutritional protein, vitamin D, and the mineral calcium. As with all fish, Omega 3 fatty acids are abundant in salmon, making it an ideal meal for a healthy brain.
Salmon is also classified as one of the healthiest canned meats you can find. Please note that it is still canned meat and may contain extra preservatives and ingredients to enhance its taste. It is still a high-sodium food and should be taken in moderation.
Can You Eat Canned Salmon Raw?
As I have already described, salmon is always cooked before it’s preserved and packaged. Canned raw fish may contain parasites not killed in the heat treatment process but can give you a nasty stomach infection. Well, this is not the case with salmon, especially after undergoing intense and prolonged heat treatment before the cans are sealed.
If you were to eat raw, canned meat, including salmon, it would need extra caution in terms of preservation. The heat treatment process is crucial in destroying any bacteria that may multiply fast if left unchecked.
The salt added during canning is also enough to deter harmful bacteria from reproducing. Salmonella and Listeria are the two main microorganisms you would need to watch out for in meat, but fortunately, they are also destroyed by heat and salt.
Reasons Why Canned Salmon is Good For You:
If you want more reasons for eating salmon, here are the reasons canned salmon is a good option for you:
More affordable: Canned salmon and tuna are typically less expensive than salmon steaks or fillets. If you are on a budget but need salmon, going for the canned option is better.
Fresher for longer: Canned salmon is packed in a can that prevents it from going bad very soon. This allows you to keep the salmon for a longer time compared to fresh raw fish from the grocery store.
Easier to prepare: Canned salmon is precooked and thus easier to prepare, which also means it saves you time. You only need to open the can, pour off the liquid, and warm up the salmon in a microwave.
Tastier: The salmon that is canned is usually wild-caught and not farmed. This is the best salmon you can buy because they are caught in an environment that’s free from chemical pollutants. Wild salmon also has a better flavor than farmed salmon.
Lesser mercury: If you are worried about the mercury content in fish, some fish may contain less mercury than others. You can reduce your exposure to mercury by avoiding huge salmon that are usually older and have accumulated a lot more mercury. Canned salmon is small-size (and thus younger) and has lesser mercury.
More convenient: Canned salmon has the same nutritional value as uncanned fish. However, canned salmon is very convenient and can be taken anywhere you go. You can also store canned salmon at room temperature, so you can keep it for a few more days, even without a refrigerator.
Eating Process of Canned Salmon
With the easy-to-open lids, you just need a can opener. With that, you can enjoy every single bit out of your tinned fish.
Canned salmon is your answer if you need to feed but don’t have access or time handling fresh ingredients. Prepare a quick sandwich, mix it with some veggies, and you are good to go!
You can also prepare canned salmon into delicious gourmet dishes. This is possible by adding some seasonings and spices to your canned meat while heating it.
Use canned salmon for salads or paella, and even as a topping for pizza. There are numerous methods of enjoying canned salmon.
Canned salmon can also be used in a salad. Don’t worry; you won’t taste the fishy flavor at all because it’s already cooked and seasoned.
Health Benefits of Canned Salmon
Canned salmon provides omega-3 fatty acids, essential for our diet because it reduces the risk factors for heart diseases. It also reduces the inflammation in our bodies, prevents clots that may lead to heart attacks or strokes, and prevents asthma.
Canned salmon is also a source of B vitamins. A 100g salmon serving contains 100% of your daily requirements of vitamin B12 and over 55% of the daily value of niacin and vitamin B6.
Canned salmon is abundant in selenium and potassium. Selenium lowers the risk of cancer and protects the bones, in addition to regulating thyroid antibodies. Potassium is a vasodilator that is important in the regulation of blood pressure.
Salmon is an excellent source of protein. 100g of canned salmon contains about 23g of protein, equivalent to the amount in 3 eggs. Protein is a body-building macronutrient that contributes to good metabolism.
Canned salmon also contains astaxanthin, a compound that has antioxidant properties.
For pregnant women, canned salmon is a good source of calcium and essential fatty acids for their baby’s brain development.
If you are trying to lose weight, canned salmon is an excellent food to add to your diet because it is rich in protein and low in calories. Since proteins give you a feeling of fullness and for an extended period, it reduces food cravings.
Possible Health Risks of Canned Salmon
Farmed salmon may contain higher concentrations of chemical pollutants compared to wild salmon. It’s therefore essential to confirm the type of salmon in the can and ensure it’s from a reputable brand.
BPA, used to line cans that are used for tinned fish, that behaves like estrogen in the body. It can disrupt the functions of hormones and affect our reproductive system. It is also linked to obesity, infertility, cardiovascular disease, hormone-related cancers like breast and prostate cancer, diabetes type 2, and neurological disorders. In rare cases, the BPA leaks into the fish.
Canned salmon usually contains a lot of sodium, so people with high blood pressure must be careful about the amount of canned salmon they eat.
Video: Easy canned salmon recipe
Ever wonder how to can salmon at home? The best canned salmon recipe in the world is simple and requires very little effort. Just follow these instructions and you will be able to enjoy a fresh and healthy meal every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does canned salmon taste like?
Canned salmon tastes a bit like tuna but milder. The heat treatment and the salt added during caning do not impact the texture, but the flavor is not as robust as fresh uncanned salmon.
Q. Is canned salmon good for you?
Yes, canned salmon is a healthy option for many reasons. It’s rich in fatty acids and proteins that benefit the body.
Q. Do you need to cook canned salmon?
Canned salmon is already cooked, so it’s only necessary to heat it up. You can eat it cold or warm.
Q. How much canned salmon is safe to eat?
Adults are recommended to eat 2-3 servings (1 serving = 2 ounces) of canned salmon per week. Children below 6 years old shouldn’t eat more than 1 serving per week, while those above 6 but below 12 years can have up to 3 ounces of salmon in a week.
Q. Is canned salmon high in sodium?
Yes, because it’s preserved with salt. It’s better to look for brands that contain less sodium, but it’s important to check the label for its exact nutrient content. You can also pour out the liquid in the can and consume the meat only. Most sodium is dissolved in that liquid.
Conclusion:
Canned salmon is rich in proteins and fatty acids. It’s a nutritious “superfood” that benefits your health because the heat treatment cooks the salmon to perfection but doesn’t destroy the nutrients.
Canned salmon is already cooked, so it’s only necessary to heat it up. You can eat it cold or warm.
