Okay, I know I'm not stupid, but?

Question

Is the canned tuna and salmon we buy(ready to eat, right?) cooked in some way prior to canning or is it raw? I have a can of salmon, which I have always used as is, that says "packed fresh in Alaska" and the only ingredients listed are salmon, water, and vegetable broth. I've always thought of it as being "processed" in some way and I may have just assumed that meant cooked. Does anyone know or have suggestions on how I might find out? Thanks

Answer 1

From what I have always heard, the salmon is cooked in the cans at the cannery (in this case in Alaska). What they mean by FRESH is that the fish were just caught and not frozen and THEN cooked prior to canning.

The fish is cut up, placed into the cans with the water and broth, sealed and run through an intensely hot water bath which cooks the fish inside. The process dates back to the late 1800's, I think.

The cooked bones of canned salmon are one of the richest sources of calcium you can eat, so its very healthy for you.

Probably the can of salmon (or tuna) has a website on the can you can access, so that's one way you can contact them.

Eat up and enjoy. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Rest assured that anything canned has been cooked prior to the canning process. Your tuna and salmon are perfectly safe, fresh and good to eat. The same goes for fruits, vegetables, meats, or anything else that's been canned. In many instances, canned food can be warmed up to improve the taste, like vegetables, for instance. But they have been cooked first at the canneries. If you want proof, often times there's a website, an address, or toll-free number somewhere on the can, so it is possible to contact their customer service.

Answer 3

Rest easy as both canned tuna and salmon are cooked prior to canning and placed in vegetable broth as a preservative.

Answer 4

Recipes to go with your canned salmon...

"Crustless Salmon Quiche" - 6 servings

1 (15 1/2 oz.) can salmon; drained and flaked
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz.)
1 medium onion; chopped (aoubt 1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1 cup milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon red pepper sauce

Toss salmon, cheese onion and flour. Spread in greased pie plate or quiche pan, 9x1 1/4". Beat eggs slightly; beat in remaining ingredients. Pour egg mixture over salmon mixture. Bake uncovered in 350* oven until knife inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
(Crustless Tuna Quiche: Substitute 2 cans - 6 1/2 oz. each - tuna in water; drained, for the salmon.)


"Tuna-Macaroni Salad" - 4 servings

1 cup uncooked elbow or spiral macaroni
1 cup chopped cucumber
3/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon snipped parsley, if desired
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (9 3/4 oz.) can tuna; drained
4 cups bite-size pieces salad greens

Cook macaroni as directed on package; drain. Rinse under running cold water; drain. Mix macaroni and remaining ingredients except salad greens. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Spoon onto salad greens. Garnish with tomato wedges if desired.
(Salmon-Macaroni Salad: Substitute 1 can - 16 oz. - salmon; drained and flaked, for the tuna.)

Answer 5

yes it is cooked, generally in the can if I am not mistaken.
The fish is placed in the cans, water, and broth added, then the cans are sealed, and then heated then cooled.

this website shows a "home recipe" for canning salmon, and it shows the salmon cooked in the jars in a pressure cooker.
http://www.massrecipes.com/recipes/04/12/cannedsalmon239266.html

Answer 6

tuna and salmon both can be eaten right out of the water when you catch them so it really doesn't matter but the canned stuff does go through some cooking process.

Answer 7

The canning process requires heating above a certain temperature. In that way, the fish is cooked.

Answer 8

It's definately pre-cooked, as if it weren't they would haver to make it clearly legible on the can.

I've eaten probably a billion cans of tuna and never gotten sick, and i've eaten sushi and gotten sick before, so I think it is cooked.

Answer 9

it's cooked and preserved in the can so we can eat it....when ever....as far as you finding out more about it...just go to the tuna or salmon can packers company website..they will give you all the info....good luck... ;)

Answer 10

my mother always told me it was pressure cooked, which would be a canning process. and that was why the bones where so soft in the salmon that we could eat them.