Key Takeaways
- Experts do not agree. The USDA and the FDA are advised against the flushing of salmon to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Other experts say that the rinsing of salmon sand and grit away, although it can also remove the natural oils and taste of the fish.
- When you rinse salmon, knock it dry and clean your work area. Cook the salmon thoroughly to eliminate harmful bacteria.
My husband loves salmon – so he even eats him for breakfast. When he buys fresh salmon fillets, he always cooks it directly from the package, but he wonders if he should clean it first.
“Some people like to give their salmon a good conditioner before cooking. They do this to get rid of things like sand and dirt” Qinchun RaoPh.D., Professor of Food and Food at Florida State University and Chairman of the Aquatic Food Products department at the Institute of Food Technologists. “They believe that this not only makes salmon cleaner to cook, but also contributes to getting rid of bacteria, especially if the salmon is not super fresh.”
Salmwear could also believe that rinsing the seafood can initially help to delete a fishy taste or smell and improve the texture of the fish.
However, both the US Agriculture Ministry (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advise that they should not wash fresh seafood before cooking.
“You say that if you rinse the fish under running water, all bacteria that are on the surface can spread to other parts of the fish or even other things in your kitchen. This could make people sick,” says Rao.
From a scientific point of view, it is not a great idea to wash salmon before cooking. “Even if you rinse it with cold water, it won’t really get rid of the bacteria and could even spread it, which could lead to food poisoning,” added Rao.
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Mixed advice to rinsing salmon before cooking it
The advice of whether it should rinse salmon before cooking is mixed, also among seafood experts. For example the Alaskan salmon Says it is important to clean salmon before cooking to get rid of sand or dirt, which makes it cleaner to season and marinate.
It points out that this can get rid of mucus, but there is no bacteria. Rao says the only way to kill bacteria is to properly cook the salmon.
Rinsing seafood can affect quality and taste. “If you wash salmon, you can wash some of the natural oils and flavors that really taste it and keep them juicy,” says Rao. “So washing could change how the salmon tastes and feels when you eat it. Washing the salmon cannot help keep all these delicious aromas and textures.”
If you use soap or cleaning agents, if you clean your salmon, the soap or detergent can get into the salmon and change your taste and even make it unsafe to eat.
Tips for rinsing salmon before cooking it
Regardless of whether you grew up or just a personal preference, nobody will judge you if you want to rinse your salmon anyway.
“If you decide to wash the salmon, do it gently with clean water (no detergent!) To avoid the spread of bacteria,” says Rao. “As soon as you are finished, dab the salmon with a paper towel. And do not forget to clean and disgust your sink and all tools, and all tools that you use immediately.”
Rao also suggests taking lemon juice into account instead of water. He says: “It is a practical trick that not only cleans the salmon, but also eliminates fishy smells and can even kill some harmful bacteria.”
