4 Best Ways to Prepare Coho Salmon for Dinner

Sometimes, choosing what to make for dinner isn’t so simple. For example, what should you do with a beautiful piece of fish like a Coho salmon? Should you go the simple route or dress it up? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the recipes online, we’ve narrowed down your choices to just four with handy descriptions to help you choose.

Ready to turn that fish into a stunning dinner to impress your family (or impress yourself)? We’ve got recipes that can even compete with the best restaurants in Newport. Please keep reading to see our four picks for the best ways to cook a Coho salmon.

• Baked Salmon – for the simple, no-fuss cook

If you want to make your fish the star of the show, baking your salmon is probably the best option. It is also a great option if you’re new to cooking or are short on time. There are so many ways you can customize this recipe to add your personality to the dish.

You’ll need:

• 1 salmon, filleted
• 3 lemons, sliced thinly
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 tbs unsalted butter
• 2 tbs honey
• 1 tsp chopped rosemary leaves
• 1 tsp chopped thyme leaves
• Salt and pepper

How to:

1. Preheat your oven to 350℉ 
2. Line your baking sheet pan with foil and spread the lemon slices in one even layer
3. Season your piece of fish with salt and pepper to your liking
4. Whisk the rest of the ingredients together in a small bowl to an even consistency. Pour the mixture evenly over the salmon and cover the dish with foil.
5. Bake for 25 minutes. Check periodically to stop it from overcooking.

• Grilled Salmon – for the busy family cook

If you’ve spent all day at work and need a quick recipe that can cook enough fish for a group or your family, then grilling is an excellent alternative to the oven. It also gives the fish a distinct smoky flavor that you can only get with a grill. Make sure to check these tips to make your grilling healthier and safer before you start.

You’ll need:

• Skin-on salmon fillets
• 1 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 lemons, sliced thinly
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

How to:

1. Fire up your grill to its highest setting
2. Season your salmon fillets and brush them with olive oil
3. Place the fillets and slices of lemon on the grill
4. Grill until the salmon is cooked through and the lemons have a char on them, around 3 minutes per side
5. Serve with grilled lemons and fresh parsley

• Salmon Tacos – for the fun, experimental cook

Salmon dishes don’t have to be boring, and there’s a lot of things you can do to have fun with your salmon dinner. These salmon tacos are an easy and exciting way to serve salmon without compromising a freshly-caught Coho salmon’s intense flavor.

You’ll need:

• 1 salmon, filleted 
• Taco seasoning (ready-made or homemade)
• 3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 2 large avocados, diced
• 3 small tomatoes, diced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 limes, sliced into wedges
• 8 corn tortillas, warmed in the oven

How to:

1. Season your salmon generously with salt, pepper, and taco seasoning
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet. When the oil is hot, place your salmon in the pan until golden on both sides. Make sure the salmon is fully cooked before taking it out of the pan.
3. When cool, use a fork to flake the salmon
4. Prepare the rest of the salsa ingredients in a separate bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Assemble the tacos or let your dinner guests do it themselves!

• Pasta with Salmon and Easy Veggies – for the cook with picky kids

Cooking for picky children can be complicated, but we’re sure your kids will love this ultra-simple salmon and peas pasta. After this dinner, they’ll be sure to appreciate fantastic Coho salmon.

You’ll need:

• 250 grams fusilli, or a similar pasta
• 4 tbs unsalted butter
• 1 large white onion, diced
• 1 bag of frozen peas
• 2 salmon fillets
• ½ cup fresh cream
• ½ cup chicken stock
• Salt and pepper

How to:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook your pasta according to its instructions
2. Melt the butter in a pan and add the diced white onion. Cook until translucent, around 5 minutes.
3. Add frozen peas, salmon filets, cream, and chicken stock, and combine until salmon is in chunks. Add 1 cup of water as needed.
4. Cook until the mixture thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Turn the heat off and add the pasta and mix until well-combined.

 

Fishing for Coho Salmon

As you might already know, Coho salmon are an incredibly nutritious and delicious fish that is perfect for any meal any day of the week. We believe that fresher is better, so if you want to try your hand at catching a Coho salmon yourself, a fishing trip to Newport is what you need.

With a dedicated Newport fishing charter that can supply your boat and all the fishing gear, catching Coho salmon will be a fun and breezy time on the beautiful Newport waters. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our page for hiring Coho salmon fishing charters, or check out our exclusive blog that will tell you everything you need to know about Coho salmon fishing.