Salmon is one of the most popular fish consumed around the world. Known for its bright orange-pink flesh, rich fatty texture, and delicious versatile flavor, salmon has become a kitchen staple. However, high demand has led to overfishing and depletion of some salmon populations. For those wanting a more budget-friendly and sustainable salmon-like option, several other fish varieties mimic both the appearance and taste of salmon beautifully.
Why Find an Alternative?
There are a few reasons why cooks seek out salmon alternatives:
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Cost – Salmon prices have risen, making it one of the pricier fish options. More affordable fish taste similar without breaking the bank.
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Sustainability – Some salmon species like Atlantic and Chinook are overfished. Choosing alternative fish helps protect salmon populations.
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Availability – Wild-caught salmon can be seasonal or hard to source depending on location. Other fish are easier to find year-round.
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Dietary Needs – People with allergies or on plant-based diets need a fish that has the fat, flavor, and texture of salmon.
Characteristics of Salmon
To find a perfect salmon stand-in it helps to examine the qualities that define it
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Color – Bright orange-pink flesh when raw turning more orange-red when cooked. High in healthy carotenoids.
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Texture – Moist and flaky when cooked, often fatty and silky depending on cut
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Flavor – Mild, sweet, and fatty with umami savory notes. Light salmon taste without fishiness.
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Uses – Excellent roasted, pan-seared, grilled, poached, smoked. Pairs well with bold seasonings.
Keep these qualities in mind when selecting an imposter fish.
7 Fish Similar to Salmon
Here are 7 delicious and sustainable fish that mimic salmon beautifully:
1. Rainbow Trout
- Closest taste and texture to salmon
- Bright pink-orange flesh
- Delicate, mildly sweet flavor
- Moist, flaky texture
- Smaller fillets than salmon
- Budget-friendly farmed option
2. Arctic Char
- Appearance nearly identical to salmon
- Light pink flesh like salmon trout hybrid
- Delicate, light flavor
- Flaky and oily like salmon
- Shorter fillets than salmon
- Sustainably farmed
3. Steelhead Trout
- Salmon’s close trout relative
- Bright reddish-orange flesh
- Savory, rich salmon-like flavor
- Silky, moderately fatty texture
- Thinner quicker-cooking fillets
- Sustainable wild and farmed sources
4. Mahi Mahi
- White fish with salmon-like qualities
- Flaky, moist texture when cooked
- Mild, sweet flavor with umami
- Absorbs seasonings like salmon
- Shorter cooking time than salmon
- Abundant, underutilized species
5. Mackerel
- Rich and oily like salmon
- Stronger fish flavor than salmon
- High omega-3’s, protein, and oil
- Moist tender meat when cooked
- Try smoked mackerel for lox substitute
- Affordable, sustainable small fish
6. Escolar
- Known as “butterfish”
- Silky, melts-in-your-mouth texture
- Very mild flavor
- Mimics fatty belly or collar salmon cuts
- Controversial “wax esthers” when overeaten
- Limit portions due to laxative effect
7. Amberjack
- Meaty texture similar to salmon
- Moist and flaky when cooked
- Neutral flavor accented by sauces
- Richer taste than white fish
- Holds up well to bold seasonings
- Underrated sustainable seafood
How to Choose a Salmon Swap
With so many options, here are tips for selecting the right salmon twin:
- Consider sauce or seasoning – mild fish take on more flavor
- Watch out for undisclosed substitutes like swai and tilapia
- Read sustainability guides for eco-friendly choices
- For lox, smoked mackerel is the closest budget dupe
- Fatty fish like mackerel or amberjack mimic richness
- Thinner fillets like rainbow trout cook lightning fast
- Calculate price per pound – cheaper than salmon?
With the variety of sustainable, delicious, and affordable alternatives, it’s easy to enjoy your favorite salmon recipes while giving wild salmon a break. Next time salmon seems out of reach, remember these 7 stand-in fish that capture the beautiful qualities of salmon at a fraction of the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions about Salmon Alternatives
What is the best budget-friendly alternative to salmon?
Rainbow trout provides the closest taste and texture to salmon. Farmed rainbow trout is widely available at a very affordable price, making it the most budget-friendly salmon alternative.
What fish has omega-3s like salmon?
Some fish high in heart-healthy omega-3s like salmon are mackerel, herring, anchovies, sardines, rainbow trout, and arctic char. Their omega-3 levels rival wild salmon.
What white fish resembles salmon?
Mahi mahi has a similar flaky texture, mild sweet flavor, and fat content as salmon despite its white flesh. Mackerel’s high oil content also mimics salmon’s richness.
Can I use tilapia instead of salmon?
Tilapia is much blander and less fatty than salmon. While affordable, tilapia won’t replicate salmon’s flavor or texture well. Opt for mackerel for a budget salmon dupe instead.
Is cod a good salmon substitute?
Cod is too lean, mild, and flaky to stand in for salmon’s rich and oily meatiness. Fish like mackerel better match salmon’s dense texture and robust flavor.
