Do You Actually Need To Take The Bones Out Of Canned Salmon? (2024)

Stacie Adams

·3 min read

If you love salmon but hate dealing with the process of breaking down and preparing filets, canned varieties are a great alternative. However, some brands of canned salmon contain bones, which may leave you flummoxed on how to proceed. While deboning fish is a common practice, it's not always necessary with canned salmon. Bones are often edible and are also a great source of nutrition. Also, consider that some bones in canned salmon aren't even bones, despite their decidedly bony name.

This is the case with pin bones, which are nerve endings that have been hardened and help live salmon detect other fish in the water. Thanks to their flexibility, pin bones are no problem to eat when enjoying canned salmon and provide essential nutrients like iron and calcium. While firmer pin bones are often removed from fresh salmon, the technique for canning salmon means that they can be eaten without a laborious deboning process.

Read more: 13 Tips To Make Your Shrimp Taste So Much Better

Why It's Usually Ok To Eat Canned Fish With Bones

Canning is a great way to preserve all sorts of food, including vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish like salmon. Once food is placed into a sealed can or jar, the container is submerged in extremely hot water. This process ensures that any bacteria in the food is sufficiently killed off, which means the food can be preserved for an extended period without any risk of illness or contamination, according to Centre for Food Safety. When it comes to canned salmon, it can usually last in your pantry for as long as three years, provided it's unopened and kept in a dry, cool area of the home.

Canning has another benefit when it comes to salmon. The high temperatures can actually cause bones in fish to become extremely soft and edible, which is why it's perfectly fine to eat many canned brands of salmon straight out of the can. In the event vinegar is included in the canning recipe, the bones will become even softer and more pliable. If you're not enthused about eating canned salmon with the bones intact, there are a few steps you can take to eliminate them.

Tips For Removing Bones From Canned Salmon

Do You Actually Need To Take The Bones Out Of Canned Salmon? (2)

When it comes to softened pin bones, you may be able to pulverize them with your fingerswhile you're breaking down the salmon chunks into smaller parts. If you're making a tasty salmon patty and are putting the fish into a food processor or blender, the pin bones will be crushed as a result. These methods are good if you want to increase your calcium intake while avoiding pesky bones.

In the event you want to completely remove the bones from canned salmon before you eat it, all you need is a handy pair of tweezers. Tweezers can effectively move pin bones from salmon, as well as larger bones that may pose more of an issue while eating. To ensure you locate all bones in the meat, be sure to separate salmon into smaller pieces to snag any concealed bones. No matter what option you prefer, you can rest assured that canned salmon will make for a flavorful and wholesome meal.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

Do You Actually Need To Take The Bones Out Of Canned Salmon? (2024)

FAQs

Do You Actually Need To Take The Bones Out Of Canned Salmon? ›

Eating the bones in canned salmon isn't just a matter of safety; it's also about nutrition. Salmon bones are a fantastic source of calcium, which, according to Healthline, is a mineral crucial for maintaining strong and healthy bones and teeth and ensuring the proper functioning of the heart, muscles, and nerves.

Are you supposed to remove bones from canned salmon? ›

This is the case with pin bones, which are nerve endings that have been hardened and help live salmon detect other fish in the water. Thanks to their flexibility, pin bones are no problem to eat when enjoying canned salmon and provide essential nutrients like iron and calcium.

Can I buy canned salmon without bones? ›

Pick up your can of Bumble Bee® Skinless and Boneless Pink Salmon in Water today! Dig into our recipes for more.

What are the little round bones in canned salmon? ›

Pink and red canned salmon are usually canned with the backbone intact, and the bones are edible and a good source of calcium. See the label on the tin, always choose salmon that is tinned in it's own juices/water and not vegetable oil.

Does salmon need to be deboned? ›

Truth is, pin bones are totally edible! In fact, in many parts of the world, salmon pin bones are eaten on a routine basis. They're known to be rich in a variety of nutrients, especially calcium and iron. In fact, for people who avoid dairy products or other calcium sources, fish bones can make an excellent substitute!

Is it OK to eat canned salmon skin? ›

Salmon skin can make a delicious and healthful addition to the diet. It contains more of the same protein and essential omega-3 fatty acids contained in the fish. The body cannot make omega-3 fatty acids, so people must get them through their diet.

Should I drain canned salmon? ›

This healthy and convenient food is low in calories, high in omega-3 fatty acids, and contains many essential vitamins and nutrients. Canned salmon also contains high concentrations of sodium, particularly when the fish is packed in salt water. That's why it's recommended that you drain the salmon before eating it.

Which is better, red or pink canned salmon? ›

These ones are pretty much the same, but often. red salmon tends to be slightly higher in calories, has more Omega 3 fatty acids than the pink. In terms of protein, even a little more protein. So up to you what you like in terms of eating, uh, and taste.

Why does canned salmon have bones but tuna doesn t? ›

Why is there skin and bones in canned salmon, but not in canned tuna? Tuna are much larger fish than salmon, allowing the skinning and boning of the the fish while still leaving commercially significant amounts of flesh. Canned tuna comes from the loin, a skinless, boneless part of the fish.

Is it OK to eat small salmon bones? ›

Pin bones are a choking hazard

Like salmon, they're nutrient-rich and healthy for you. However, eating pin bones does come with risks. If you choose to leave them in your salmon filet, one could easily become stuck in your throat, causing you to choke.

Does salmon come without bones? ›

It's a good question, and one we wanted to address in detail. Most people consider boneless salmon more convenient than bone-in, which is why mass market salmon is almost always boneless. Unfortunately, de-boned salmon comes with a cost. To achieve convenience, quality must be sacrificed.

Can you eat salmon skin yes or no? ›

Salmon is one of the healthiest and most popular fishes to make, and if you like the skin, there's absolutely no reason to discard it. In fact, the salmon skin is known to be an excellent source of minerals, plus omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B and D, and more nutrients.

What are the crunchy bits in canned salmon? ›

People who have eaten canned salmon since childhood are comfortable with the presence of the highly nutritious skin and bone, sometimes claiming to having fought with their siblings over who got those delicious crunchy little vertebrae.

Do you remove salmon bones before cooking? ›

There's just no graceful way to to it, and you certainly don't want to swallow them! So, what's the solution? Pull out the pin bones before you cook your salmon. Here's how to do it quickly and easily.

Do you eat the bones in tinned fish? ›

You can eat them right out of the can, top them with onions or peppers, or add condiments such as mustard, mayo, or hot sauce. Usually, the heads have been removed, but you'll be eating the skin and bones. In fact, that's where some health benefits lie.

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