How to Cure Salmon: A Guide for Beginners

Salmon, a popular and delicious fish, can be a joy to consume. However, sometimes despite your best efforts, your salmon may not end up as you desire.

Why does your salmon need to be fixed? Did you break your salmon?

In my opinion, grilling or baking salmon with light seasoning is the best way to cook it. You don’t want to overdo it or sauté it.

Before getting into more advanced techniques and equipment, have you tried a simple reboot first? Just toggle the power switch. This technique is brilliantly effective for fixing all sorts of things!

Basic Curing Process for Salmon

Take a center-cut piece of salmon, trim off the skin and connective tissue, and cut it into quarter-inch pieces.

Take a bowl and fill it with cool water. Add kosher salt and sugar. Be generous, ensuring that the liquid becomes clear after mixing. Add the salmon pieces for exactly three minutes, then carefully fish them out and let them pat dry on a fish rack or paper towels. Place the salmon on a platter, cover with Saran Wrap, and refrigerate for two to three hours at the minimum. That's it! You are now ready to serve.

Bag Method for Rehydrating Fish (Inspiration from Aquarium Fish)

Considering that bagging salmon for curing might seem a bit like curing an aquarium fish, this method can also be applied to salmon.

Step 1: Prepare the Fish

Take a center-cut piece of salmon. Trim off the skin and connective tissue. Cut it into quarter-inch pieces.

Step 2: Prepare the Solution

Take a bowl and fill it with cool water. Add kosher salt and sugar, being generous, and stir until the liquid is clear.

Step 3: Curing Process

Add the salmon pieces and let them sit for three minutes. Remove the pieces and pat them dry on a fish rack or paper towels. Place the salmon on a platter, cover with Saran Wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of two to three hours.

This process not only adds flavor but also ensures the salmon is properly rehydrated.

Advanced Techniques for Reviving Fish

Step 1: Create an Active Water Environment

If your fish has died after cleaning the tank, you can try the following steps to revive it:

Place the fish in a different tank of fish water to prevent nipping from other fish and ensure it receives proper oxygenation. Handle the fish cautiously to avoid causing physical damage to it. Clean the fish gently by removing dirt from its gills and underside. Free the gills so that the fish can breathe easily by stroking them or the undersides. Ensure the water in the tank is well-oxygenated using an air stone or air blubber. Administer a saltwater treatment using Epsom salt or aquarium salt, at a ratio of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water, for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the fish to its original tank if it shows no signs of stress.

Step 2: Use Remedial Treatments

For further recovery, you can use alternative treatments like garlic water, chlorophyll, and stress coat water conditioner.

By carefully following these steps, you can save your dying fish and ensure it thrives in its tank, making your time spent in observing the fish even more rewarding. Although curing salmon and curing a fish in an aquarium may seem different on the surface, the principles are quite similar. A bit of care and attention can go a long way in preserving the health and vitality of your aquatic friends.

Conclusion

Finding out your fish is on the edge of its life and ultimately saving it is a great satisfaction. However, it can be dangerous to risk the fish's life.

Make sure you provide a stress-free environment for your fish to thrive and grow. Even a little alteration in the chemistry of the tank may lead to death. By dedicating a certain amount of time daily to taking care of your fish, you may never have to worry about going through all these steps.

SHARED TONGUE IN CHEEK:
DON'T KILL THEM, CURE THEM.
PEACE