The 5 Easy and Surprising Salmon Head Recipes that You Should Try

The salmon is very nutritious, some years back I wanted to cook the salmon heads but I didn’t know how. I decided to find out how I can cook them.

There is much more meat in the salmon heads. Most people throw the heads away. In the market, they are very cheap as compared to a whole salmon. The heads are very delicious, healthy, and affordable. Everything in the head is edible.

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It is important to shop for the salmon that is fresh. Ensure that you inquire from the one who is selling when they get the fish from before you shop. Ensure that you check the following before buying the fish:

  • Flesh should be intact with the bones
  • It should not be discolored
  • ​Clear eyes
  • ​It should not have dark spots
  • It should smell fresh
  • Gills should not have slime
  • The gills should have a bright color
  • It should not have cuts

Ensure that you store the salmon heads properly before you cook. It should be kept in the fridge. The salmon is well to be nutritious but also delicious. The heads should not be thrown away.


The following is a list of salmon head recipes that you can try at home instead of discarding the heads:

1. Salmon heads with rice noodles

The required ingredients

  • 3 salmon heads
  • Sea salt
  • ¼ cup of sweet wine
  • A cup of chopped onions
  • Sliced chiles and chives
  • A tablespoon of white miso paste
  • 2 pieces of dried kombu seaweed 2-inches each
  • A pack of rice noodles
  • Put the heads in a large pot and cover them with water.
  • Add the onions, ginger, and kombu. Place the pot over heat and simmer them slightly. They should take about 20 minutes. Ensure that they don’t boil.
  • ​Remove the heads from the broth. Take the meat out of the heads and reserve it in a bowl.
  • Pour the broth into another clean pot and add the mirin. Heat the pot and add the soy sauce before the broth boils. If the salt is not enough, add a small pinch to taste.
  • Boil some salt water for the noodles. Cook the noodles as directed on the package.
  • Pour out the broth into the soup bowls. Add some miso to each bowl as you stir.
  • Put some noodles into each bowl and add the meat on top.
  • Cover with more broth and add the sliced chiles and chives to garnish.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy.

2. The roasted salmon head

The required ingredients

  • Homemade rub or grill rub seasoning
  • Aluminum foil
  • A large and small sharp knife
  • A pack of rice noodles
  • Oil
  • Cut the heads in half. You can eat everything in the head.
  • Get you spice rub either homemade or packaged. This will make the heads salty, sweet, and a bit spicy if you want.
  • Rub the seasonings all over the exposed parts on both sides
  • On a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil, place the heads with the skin.
  • Put them in the oven and bake for about 40 minutes at 250 degrees. This will depend on the size of the heads.
  • Turn the heat to 450 degrees and flip the heads. Cook for about 20 more minutes. The heads should be brown and crispy.
  • When the meat is ready, serve with lemon slices. The heads can be served on large platters.
  • This can be served more than 2 people with fried green beans and rice.

Enjoy!


3. Garlic and butter broiled salmon heads

The required ingredients

  • A half stick of butter
  • 1 salmon head
  • Clean the heads carefully and rinse them under cold water. If you use hot water it will precook the salmon head meat.
  • Remove the gills if they are there and the remaining innards.
  • You should spot the difference before and after cleaning
  • Set the fish heads aside
  • Use the food processor to chop the peeled garlic cloves. As you chop the garlic, add the butter at room temperature.
  • As soon as you achieve a fine paste you can add spices and herbs.
  • Add some salt if you used unsalted butter.
  • Spread the garlic and butter mixture on both sides of the heads. You can dot the mixture if the heads are slippery.
  • Preheat the broiler at the highest setting. Put the fish in, the eyes should side up. The heads will cook very fast. Keep checking after about every 5 minutes. This will help you to learn how your broiler cooks food.
  • The butter will start to melt after about 5 minutes in the broiler. The garlic should be brown.
  • You can spread the garlic mixture with a brush on the fish to spread evenly.
  • Cook the fish for 2 more minutes.
  • Flip the fish heads and cook it the same way as the first side. The sides will not take more time to cook. It should take about 3 minutes.
  • Preheat the broiler at the highest setting. Put the fish in, the eyes should side up. The heads will cook very fast. Keep checking after about every 5 minutes. This will help you to learn how your broiler cooks food.
  • The eyes can be served; they are the fattiest and nutritious.

4. The salmon heads with potatoes

The required ingredients

  • 2 salmon heads
  • A bunch of fresh dills
  • ​½ cup of cream to taste
  • ​2 bay leaves
  • A large sliced onion
  • A teaspoon of kosher salt
  • 8 ounces of potatoes, 2-inch cubes
  • 1/3 cup of chopped fresh dill
  • Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat.
  • Add the onions into the pan and fry them until they are soft. This will take about 5 minutes.
  • Add the potato cubes, the salmon heads, salt, the dill leaves, and the bay leaves.
  • Add water to cover the fish and the other ingredients.
  • Bring the pan to a steady simmer and cook until the potatoes and the fish heads are tender. This will take about 20 minutes.
  • Take the fish heads out of the broth with a slotted spoon. Separate the edible parts and the meat from the head skeleton.
  • Add the remaining parts to the broth and reheat at a low simmer. Ensure that you don’t break the fish flesh into pieces.
  • Add the chopped dill and the cream. Add more salt, and black pepper if needed.
  • Serve it while it is hot. The remaining can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

5. The salt grilled salmon head

The required ingredients

  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • ½ salmon head
  • Lemon slices
  • Wash and dry the head carefully with paper towels. You can keep it in the fridge for some few minutes before cook it. This will help the head to dry out.
  • Preheat the grill. Use aluminum foil to line the grilling tray and then put the rack in the tray.
  • Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of salt on the cut side of the head.
  • Place it on the grill and grill until it is slightly charred. The oven door should be open. This should take about 8 minutes.
  • After about 5 minutes, the fat will start to bubble and spit.
  • Flip the head and sprinkle the remaining salt.
  • Grill the skin side until it is slightly charred. This will also take about 8 minutes.
  • Place it on the grill and grill until it is slightly charred. The oven door should be open. This should take about 8 minutes.

Did you enjoy the above list? You can also tell us how you prepare the salmon heads. The salmon heads are the most nutritious. Don’t throw them, just use any of the above recipes to benefit from the salmon heads. Before you prepare the heads ensure that they are fresh. Feel free to share the above information with others.

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