Salmon is one of the most nutritious and delicious fish you can buy. Rich in protein, omega-3s and various vitamins and minerals, salmon makes for a super healthy yet tasty meal. However, the question of bones in salmon fillets gives some people pause when it comes to cooking this fish at home.
So, do salmon fillets have bones? The short answer is yes. Most salmon fillets contain small, thin bones called pin bones. While not real bones, these are calcified tendons salmon use to detect movement in the water. You’ll often feel them protruding in a row along the fillet. The good news is pin bones are easy to remove at home.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about pin bones, including:
- What are salmon pin bones?
- Are pin bones safe to eat?
- How to remove pin bones from salmon fillets
- Tips for buying and cooking pin bone-free salmon
- Do other fish have pin bones?
What Are Pin Bones?
Pin bones are the small, slender bones found in most salmon fillets. They run horizontally along the length of the fillet in a row.
These bones are actually not true bones Pin bones are hardened tendons that salmon use to sense vibrations and movement from other fish in the water This helps the salmon locate prey and avoid predators,
You’ll notice pin bones are lined up in the fattier belly flap section of salmon fillets. They are typically white in color and 1 to 3 inches long. The ends can be slightly pointed.
Since they are often missed during filleting, pin bones stay in the salmon sold at grocery stores. But they are easy for you to find and remove on your own at home.
Are Pin Bones Safe to Eat?
While pin bones themselves are technically edible, most people don’t like the texture they add. You want your salmon to be soft and flaky, not crunchy from little bones.
Eating smaller, soft bones is generally not hazardous for most people. But the pointed tips of pin bones could potentially pose a choking risk, especially for kids, elderly or those with swallowing issues if accidentally consumed.
To ensure safety and the best texture, it’s best to remove salmon pin bones before cooking and eating the fish. Taking them out also prevents you from the nuisance of bones caught in your teeth or gums during a meal.
How to Remove Pin Bones from Salmon Fillets
Removing salmon pin bones takes just a minute and is surprisingly easy. With a little practice, you’ll be able to easily find them by touch and pull them out cleanly. Here’s a simple technique:
What You Need:
- Raw salmon fillet
- Tweezers, pliers or surgical clamp – regular tweezers may not grip the slippery bones well
Directions:
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Place the salmon fillet skin-side down on a cutting board or plate. The pin bones will be facing up.
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Lightly run your fingertips over the surface to feel for the pin bones protruding. You’ll notice they align in a row.
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Once you locate the first pin bone, grasp it at the tip with tweezers or pliers. Pull it out gently but swiftly at an angle along the row.
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Continue finding each subsequent pin bone by touch and pulling them out one by one.
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Double check the fillet by running your fingers along it to ensure no pin bones were missed.
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Briefly rinse the salmon before cooking or marinating as desired.
Alternatively, you can use a butter knife to gently scrape and lift out the pin bones. Just take care not to tear the delicate salmon flesh.
Pin bones near the thin tail can sometimes be trimmed off with that section if you don’t need it. This saves time versus removing them individually.
Tips for Buying and Cooking Pin Bone-Free Salmon
If you want to skip dealing with pin bones entirely, check your store’s seafood counter or freezer section for salmon fillets labeled “pin-bone removed” or “PBR”. These have been pre-treated to take the bones out for convenience.
You can also request your fishmonger remove the pin bones for you. Some grocery stores that fillet salmon in-house will gladly provide pin-bone free fillets if you ask.
Skin-on salmon fillets will hold together better during pin bone removal since the skin helps prevent the flesh from shredding. Simply peel off and discard the skin after removing the bones.
Salmon steaks cut crosswise across the whole fillet will never have pin bones. These thick salmon cuts make for easy no-bone salmon meals.
Once you’ve removed any pesky pin bones, salmon fillets can be baked, pan-seared, grilled, broiled, poached or added to chowders and casseroles. Consider using wood, fruit or citrus planks for enhanced salmon grilling flavor.
Can You Use a Fish Deboning Tool?
Special fish deboning tools or gadgets are sold that claim to help remove pin bones and other small fish bones. However, for salmon pin bones, manual removal is usually quickest and most effective.
These tools are better for getting out the thin rib bones in white, flaky fish like tilapia or sole. For salmon’s tender flesh and prominently aligned pin bones, simple tweezers or pliers work great.
Do Other Types of Fish Have Pin Bones?
While tiny pin bones most often occur in salmon and trout, other fish can occasionally have them too. Some species that may contain pin bones include:
- Arctic char
- Striped bass
- Rainbow smelt
- Walleye
- Some mackerel
In most fish, pin bones will be similarly shaped, small and arranged in a horizontal row along the fillet. Always run your fingers over fish fillets before cooking to check for bones. Removing them takes seconds and makes for the best eating experience.
Pin bones are common in store-bought salmon fillets, but armed with the right knowledge, you can easily remove them at home. Check each fillet with your fingers, grasp the bones with tweezers or pliers and pull them out cleanly. This simple extra step lets you enjoy tender, bone-free salmon with confidence. Master DIY pin bone removal and get ready to make the most of nutritious, delicious salmon!
How to Remove Pin Bones From Salmon in Less Than 2 Minutes
FAQ
Are salmon fillet boneless?
Yes, most salmon fillets will have a single row of approximately 15 pin bones that extend from the head of the filet and go half way to the tail.May 5, 2014
Which part of salmon is boneless?
The tail fillet and shank is a lean, boneless cut – it’s the smallest and thinnest of the whole fillet. You can recognise it easily because of its tapered shape and thick fat line running through its centre.
Do they sell salmon without bones?
Yes. You are wrong. You need to put it in the notes on the item your ordered that you want anything done (scales off, skin off, bones). Atlantic salmon usually is shipped without bones. Sockeye salmon will have bones. Hope that helps.
Does fillet have bones?
No, a fillet, whether of fish, chicken, or other meat, is generally defined as a piece of meat or fish that has been cut away from the bone.
Do salmon fillets have pin bones?
However, it is not uncommon to find small pin bones in certain cuts of salmon, particularly if the fillets have not been completely deboned. These pin bones are thin, flexible bones that can easily be removed with a pair of kitchen tweezers. There are various types of salmon fillet available, each with its own characteristics and bone structure.
Are salmon fillets boneless?
While salmon fillets should technically be boneless, they often contain small bones called pin bones that must be removed before cooking Read on to learn all about pin bones, if they pose any risks and the proper techniques for getting them out of your salmon fillets. What Are Pin Bones?
Do salmon fillets have bones?
Always run your fingers over fish fillets to check for bones before cooking. Removing them takes just seconds and makes for an optimal eating experience. Pin bones are a common occurrence in salmon fillets, but with a bit of know-how, you can easily remove them yourself.
What skeletal system does salmon have?
Salmon, like other fish, have a unique skeletal system that is designed for flexibility and movement. Their skeleton is made up of bones, cartilage, and connective tissue, which provide support and protection for their internal organs. One of the key features of salmon anatomy is the presence of pin bones, also known as intermuscular bones.
What kind of Bones do you see in salmon?
The most common type of bones you will see in salmon are the pin bones: these are long and thin that run along the salmon filet. These ones are typically easy to see and they’re often removed before salmon is sold. The one big exception is salmon steaks, where you might see large, thick bones still connected to the spine.
Do canned salmon have bones?
Pin bones are the primary reason why canned salmon may contain bones. During the canning process, the fish is typically filleted, and the flesh is removed from the bones. However, the pin bones are often left intact, as they are difficult to remove without damaging the surrounding flesh.