When you’ve caught a bunch of fresh king salmon, the only downside is that you now have to find enough recipes to make the most of it. King salmon, which is also known as Chinook salmon, weigh in at an average of 17 pounds—enough for quite the feast.

Don’t worry if you’ve never cooked king salmon in Alaska. There are plenty of recipes to keep you satisfied.

How to pair salmon with other food and beverages

When you’ve caught a great haul, it deserves to be celebrated. Picking good cooking techniques and doing right by your food can be difficult if you don’t know where to begin.

The best thing about salmon is that it’s fatty. If you know your meat is going to take care of the fat element, you can arrange your preparation or your sides to complement it. For example, sweet chili glaze is great for salmon because it adds acid and heat to a fatty piece of meat. Alternatively, people love to add lemon to seafood because it cuts the fat and “fishiness” (although your freshly caught fish will never taste fishy, which is generally an effect of poor handling).

King salmon on its own

You’ve caught the fish in the wild, so why not enjoy it like it was meant to be? Cooking king salmon in a simple preparation really brings out the flavor and the delicious, buttery texture of the fish. Whatever you do, make sure you don’t overcook it. It’s okay to have a little—or a lot—of pink.

To cook a king salmon filet on its own, use salt and pepper to generously season each side of the flesh. Heat a pan with oil until it’s hot, then put the filet in the pan. Let it cook for two minutes (for an inch-thick filet), then flip to the other side and cook one minute more. After you remove it from the pan, let it rest on a plate for several minutes.

Other king salmon recipes

Got a big haul and you don’t know what to do with it? There are plenty of ways you can make it delicious. Here are some of the best ways to make it work:

• Salmon burgers: If you’ve got enough salmon, you can break it down into salmon burgers—a delicious and healthy way to reap the benefits of your fishing trip.
• Salmon salad: If you like whitefish salad or smoked salmon salads, why not try a fresh salmon salad?
• Salmon chili: Finally, depending on where you are, salmon could make a delicious substitute for meat or beans in your game day chili.

Whether you’re a seasoned Alaskan or you’re just visiting for fishing season, Alaska has a lot to offer. There are many recipes to make with Alaskan king salmon—so why not come here to find the salmon you need? Get in touch today to book your fishing trip with Phantom Tri-River Charters. We look forward to welcoming you on your next excursion!