Salmon is one of the most popular and commonly consumed types of fish worldwide. With its characteristic orange-pink color, rich flavor, and extensive health benefits, it’s no wonder salmon remains a kitchen staple for many households
But despite salmon’s ubiquitous presence on dinner plates, there’s still some lingering confusion around whether salmon technically qualifies as a “meat” So does salmon fall into the meat category? Or is it something else entirely?
In this article, we’ll take a close look at the culinary classification of salmon to finally determine if this oily fish is considered a true meat:
What Factors Define a Food as “Meat”?
Before we can definitively categorize salmon as a meat or non-meat, we first need to establish what criteria a food must meet to qualify as a meat.
According to most chefs, food scientists, and culinary professionals, here are the main standards used to classify a food as a meat:
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It must come from a mammal or bird. Fish are excluded from the meat category.
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It should come from the flesh or muscular tissue of the animal’s body. Internal organs don’t qualify as true meat.
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It is served as the main protein component of a dish or meal. Side dishes don’t count as meat.
So with these key standards in mind, let’s now examine salmon to see if it meets the meat criteria.
Where Does Salmon Come From?
Salmon are born in freshwater streams and rivers before migrating out to mature in the ocean. When it’s time to spawn, salmon return to their original freshwater source to reproduce and eventually die.
Salmon belong to the taxonomic family Salmonidae and genus Oncorhynchus. Some of the most popular salmon species include:
- Chinook salmon
- Coho salmon
- Pink salmon
- Chum salmon
- Sockeye salmon
So salmon are classified as fish, which are aquatic creatures, not land mammals or birds. Right off the bat, this means that salmon does not meet the first requirement to be considered a true meat.
How is Salmon Flesh Used?
Salmon are fished and harvested for their pink-orange flesh, which is rich in healthy fats and protein. This flesh comes from the fish’s muscle tissue, similar to how cows, pigs, and chickens are butchered into meat cuts.
However, the culinary definition specifies that only the flesh of mammals and birds can be labeled as meat. Fish flesh is excluded from the meat category and simply classified as seafood.
So while salmon flesh comes from the fish’s muscles, it still fails to meet the standards needed to qualify as actual meat.
Is Salmon Served as a Main Dish?
It’s true that salmon is most often served as part of the main protein-focused component of a meal. Some common salmon-centric dishes include:
- Salmon fillets
- Salmon steaks
- Broiled salmon
- Grilled salmon
- Baked salmon
- Salmon burgers
But according to culinary experts, how a food is served or eaten does not override its fundamental categorization. If it doesn’t meet the criteria of coming from a mammal or bird, then serving it as a main dish doesn’t suddenly make it a meat.
The Verdict: Salmon is Not Considered Meat
Based on an analysis of the established standards, the consensus among food scientists, chefs, and culinary professionals is clear – salmon does not qualify as a true meat.
Here are the main reasons why salmon fails to meet the meat criteria:
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Salmon are fish, not mammals or birds.
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Salmon flesh comes from fish muscles, not mammals/birds.
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Serving salmon as an entree does not change this.
So while salmon shares some similarities with other meats, it is definitively categorized as a seafood and not a member of the meat food group. This classification applies to wild-caught, farm-raised, and organic salmon.
Key Differences Between Salmon and Meat
To summarize the main factors that distinguish salmon from true meats:
Salmon
- Comes from fish, which are aquatic creatures
- Flesh comes from fish muscles
- Still considered seafood when served as main dish
Meat
- Comes from mammals or birds, which are land animals
- Flesh comes from muscles of mammals/birds
- Referred to as meat when served as main dish
So while salmon appears meat-like and can substitute for meat in many dishes, it simply doesn’t meet the scientific or culinary qualifications to actually be classified as a real meat. It is nutritionally and biologically a seafood.
Alternative Classification Systems
While standard food categorization systems don’t consider fish to be meat, some alternative frameworks take a more flexible view:
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Nutritional definitions: Classify salmon as meat since it provides comparable protein levels to mammalian/avian meats.
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Cultural definitions: Certain cuisines, like Japanese, categorize fish as a type of “aquatic meat.”
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Legal definitions: U.S. import regulations technically classify salmon as meat, but only for labeling and tax purposes.
So in certain specific contexts, salmon may be grouped under the meat umbrella. But in mainstream food classification, it still fails to meet the criteria.
Why Proper Food Categorization Matters
Classifying salmon and other food items isn’t meant to diminish their value or importance. Having structured food groups simply provides:
- Accurate food identification
- Dietary guidelines based on nutrition profiles
- Clarity for food prep and substitutions
- Preventing misleading food labels
So while the “fish vs. meat” distinction may seem trivial, it has meaningful implications for how we understand, prepare, and eat different foods.
Focus on Salmon’s Benefits, Not Its Category
Rather than getting caught up in definitions, it’s smarter to focus on the many nutritional and culinary benefits that make salmon a prized fish:
- Rich, versatile flavor
- Abundant healthy omega-3s
- Sustainable fishing options
- High-quality protein source
- Silky texture when cooked properly
At the end of the day, calling salmon a meat or seafood doesn’t change what it is – a delicious, healthy fish that’s valued worldwide for its great taste and nutritional content.
So the next time you enjoy a perfectly seared salmon fillet, you can set aside the existential debates. Instead, savor the meal and appreciate salmon for the uniquely flavorful fish that it is, no matter what category it falls under!
How does religion influence meat choices?
Some religions consider fish to be meat and avoid it in their diet, whereas some do not and continue to consume fish while eliminating other varieties of meat.
Muslims consider some meat to be forbidden, such as pork. Some fish, such as those without scales, are also considered unsuitable for consumption. Only live fish with scales, exoskeleton, and fins, caught in freshwater or saltwater, are permissible.
In Judaism, fish is considered kosher if they have fins and scales. No kosher requirements are violated if the fish is completely cleaned before eating.
Many Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. However, they do not consider fish to be meat, and eating fried fish on such Fridays has become a tradition.
Most Hindus consume all types of meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy, but some groups of people avoid all types of meat as well as fish. However, some Brahmins in eastern and southwest India consider fish to be vegetables from the sea, so they consume fish while avoiding other types of meat.
Which diets allow fish?
Vegetarian diets typically exclude meat, meat products, fish, poultry, and eggs. However, a flexitarian diet is a type of vegetarian diet that allows the occasional intake of meat, fish, and poultry.
The pescatarian diet is essentially a vegetarian diet that excludes meat but includes all vegetables, fruits, fish, and other seafood.
What Eating Salmon Every Day Does To Your Body
FAQ
Is salmon a meat or fish?
Salmon is a common food fish classified as an oily fish with a rich content of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Can I eat salmon on a no meat diet?
So yes, vegetarians can eat salmon, it’s both entirely possible, and entirely permissible. Some religions or cultures may have specific restrictions on what they consider acceptable dietary choices.
Is fish considered a meat?
Yes, fish is considered meat by many definitions. Meat is broadly defined as the flesh of an animal used for food. Since fish are animals and are used for food, they fit within this definition. However, the term “meat” can also be used more narrowly to refer to the flesh of mammals, poultry, and other land animals.
Is salmon considered meat in Judaism?
Fish and eggs (pareve)
Although they each have their own separate rules, fish and eggs are both classified as pareve, or neutral, which means they do not contain milk or meat. Fish is considered kosher only if it comes from an animal that has fins and scales, such as tuna, salmon, halibut, or mackerel.