Do You Eat the Bones in Canned Salmon?

Canned salmon is a convenient and healthy protein source enjoyed by many. But when you open a can and see bones mixed in with the fish, it can raise the question – should you eat the bones or remove them?

Why Are Bones in Canned Salmon Soft?

The bones in canned salmon are soft and fully edible due to the high-heat canning process. Canning cooks the salmon under high pressure, which softens the bones and makes them safe to eat.

The salmon is sealed in cans and heated to 240-250°F, which kills any bacteria present. The high heat also breaks down the collagen in the bones, leading to softened bones that are easily digestible.

This means you can consume canned salmon bones just like you would the flesh The bones get mashed up into tiny, soft bits when you flake the fish apart with a fork

Are Canned Salmon Bones Safe to Eat?

Yes, the bones in canned salmon are perfectly safe to eat. Since canning cooks the bones to the point of being soft and fully digestible, they pose no choking hazard or other safety concerns.

Eating the bones also does not present a risk of consuming dangerous heavy metals like mercury. Tests show canned salmon has very low or undetectable levels of mercury, even when the bones are included.

So rest assured the bones present no health dangers – just added nutrition.

Nutritional Benefits of Canned Salmon Bones

Far from being unsafe, the edible bones in canned salmon provide some great nutritional perks:

• Calcium – The softened salmon bones are an excellent source of highly absorbable calcium. Calcium is essential for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth.

• Phosphorus – Phosphorus works with calcium to support bone health and is abundant in fish bones.

• Vitamin D – Canned salmon is naturally rich in vitamin D, which aids calcium absorption and utilization in the body.

• Iron – Fish bones provide iron, which is vital for oxygen transport and energy production.

So rather than picking the bones out, it makes sense to reap these nutritional benefits by consuming the soft, edible bones in your canned salmon.

Tips for Eating Canned Salmon Bones

If you find bones unappealing, here are some tips for painlessly incorporating them when eating canned salmon:

• Flake the salmon apart with a fork to break up and mash the tiny soft bones.

• Add mayo or sauce and mash the salmon into a salad or sandwich filling. The bones become undetectable.

• Make salmon patties, fish cakes, or salmon croquettes. The bones dissolve when mixed into the patties.

• Use a blender or food processor to finely puree the salmon, pulverizing any bones.

• For young kids, carefully flake through the salmon to remove any larger bones before serving.

With a bit of mixing and flaking, the bones become indistinguishable from the flesh. But if you prefer, go ahead and pick out the larger bones while leaving the tiny unnoticeable ones for added nutrition.

Are All Canned Salmon Brands Boney?

Not all canned salmon contains bones. You can find many boneless, skinless options if you find the bones unpalatable:

• Boneless canned salmon – Brands like Chicken of the Sea offer canned salmon fillets with the bones and skin removed.

• Skinless boneless canned salmon – Varieties like Trader Joe’s skinless wild Alaskan pink salmon have no bones or skin.

• Salmon steaks – Canned salmon steaks or fillet chunks have larger boneless portions.

So you have alternatives if you really don’t want to consume the small softened bones. But the bones provide an easy way to get more nutrition from convenient canned salmon.

Should You Remove the Liquid from Canned Salmon?

The oily liquid inside canned salmon is natural fish oil, not added water or preservatives. This salmon oil is full of healthy omega-3s, so it’s recommended to mix it back into the fish rather than draining it.

However, if limiting sodium is a concern, draining the liquid will remove some sodium, as well as a small amount of omega-3s. You can then add back a controlled amount of flavorful oil.

Creative Ways to Use Canned Salmon

Beyond basic salmon patties and sandwiches, canned salmon can be used in all sorts of easy dishes:

• Salmon hash – Sauté potatoes, onions, peppers and canned salmon for a hearty hash.

• Salmon tacos – Flake canned salmon into corn tortillas with cabbage, avocado and salsa.

• Salmon salad – Toss canned salmon with greens, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber and lemon vinaigrette.

• Pizza topping – Sprinkle flaked canned salmon on pizza in place of less-healthy pepperoni.

• Salmon risotto – Stir canned salmon into a creamy risotto for an easy weeknight dinner.

• Salmon eggs benedict – Top an English muffin with sautéed spinach, poached egg and warm salmon.

• Salmon casserole – Mix canned salmon into a casserole with egg noodles, mushrooms and cheese.

With a bit of creativity, canned salmon can be used in many nutritious family meals. The soft edible bones just add an extra health boost!

The bones in canned salmon are softened and safe to eat during the canning process. Leaving them in provides extra nutrition like calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. The tiny soft bones can be mashed and easily eaten along with the fish. However, you can opt for boneless canned varieties if you find the bones unappealing. With its convenience, nutrition and versatility, canned salmon is a handy staple to keep stocked in your pantry.

Yes, the bones in canned salmon are safe to eat and can even be beneficial. The high-heat canning process softens the bones, making them easily chewed and digested.

Yes, you can eat canned salmon straight from the can.

Several brands offer canned salmon that is advertised as skinless and boneless, including StarKist, Bumble Bee Seafood, and Wild Planet.