Is there ever a time you should wash salmon? Maybe if you caught it yourself and it’s covered in mud or sand. But even then, you’re better off rinsing it quickly, then patting it insanely dry before cooking. For that beautiful fillet you bought from the store? Leave it alone. Respect the fillet.
Think of it this way: you wouldn’t shower just before jumping into a swimming pool. You’d just get wet again. Salmon is the same—it’s about to get hot and happy in a pan. Why mess with that vibe?
The Bottom Line (No Pun Intended)
Cooking is full of old wives’ tales and habits we never question. Washing salmon is one of them. It’s not dirty, it’s not unsafe, and it’s actually counterproductive. The coolest thing you can do for your dinner is to trust the heat and skip the water.
So next time you’re staring down a beautiful piece of fish, just pat it dry, season it like you mean it, and let the sizzle do the talking. Your taste buds—and your countertops—will thank you. Isn’t that a relief?
