John Myers
The flesh of the salmon trout is not white but pink. The fish is not a species of its own, but trout. We explain how they get their color and what you should pay attention to when buying and preparing them.
Interesting facts about salmon trout
The salmon trout has nothing to do with the salmon (salm) that is fished in the Atlantic and Pacific and is often served as a smoked salmon fillet on sandwiches or in salmon noodles. It is a trout that only gets its pink flesh color from the food and is therefore reminiscent of salmon in color. Brown trout, rainbow trout and lake trout from aquaculture are fed with food containing carotenoids. Carotenoids are secondary plant substances that provide a reddish-yellow color. Since they are also found in the chitin shell of certain types of crabs, trout can also take on the pink color in nature. These salmon trout live in deeper waters, where small crustaceans make up much of their diet.
Purchasing and storage
You can buy fresh salmon trout from the fishmonger or at the fish counter in the supermarket. As a rule, these are rainbow trout from pond farming. They reach a weight of up to 10 kilograms and a length of 80 centimeters, but smaller specimens are usually offered. When shopping, make sure the fish has shiny eyes and gills and the flesh is still firm. Like any fish, salmon trout does not stay fresh for long and should be eaten as soon as possible. Store fresh produce, loosely covered, in the refrigerator for a maximum of two days. Frozen products and smoked salmon trout have a longer shelf life. Note the use-by date on the packaging. You can also use the fish as a variant of our smoked trout recipe.
Cooking tips for salmon trout
The aromatic, tender and at the same time firm meat of the salmon trout makes it the ideal fish for the frying pan and the oven. Fried trout are ready quickly and dusted with flour as a whole and crispy on the outside. If you want to save yourself from boning the salmon trout on the plate, we recommend fried salmon trout fillet as a recipe. Small fish are more suitable for frying, but you can also cook large fish in the oven. Rinse the salmon trout thoroughly under cold running water and pat dry thoroughly. Then season the abdomen with salt, pepper, and lemon juice or put lemon slices in it. When baking, it is best to place the fish belly-side up in a greased ovenproof dish. Rolled up aluminum foil can serve as a support. Alternatively, salmon trout can be stewed or steamed, pickled or grilled. If you want to eat salmon trout raw, for example as carpaccio or sushi, you should first freeze the fish for at least 24 hours to kill any parasites that may be present.
What is the difference between salmon and salmon trout?
While trout and salmon may look and taste similar they are distinct species of fish. The major difference between the two is that Trout is a freshwater fish, and Salmon is a saltwater fish. Salmon typically has a higher fat content than trout and is almost always larger in size.
Is Salmon Trout good to eat?
Whether you’re cooking salmon or trout, they’re both great options for your diet. Salmon is often considered healthier than other seafood options, while trout is also a healthy choice of fish. As a result, both trout and salmon are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients and vitamins.
What does salmon trout taste like?
While trout and salmon are closely related and typically interchangeable in recipes, they do have slightly different flavors. Compared with the mild taste of most trout, salmon has a bigger flavor, sometimes described as sweeter.
