Salmon, an oily fish, has a rich and almost buttery flavor that makes it so palatable. It is also one of the most nutrient-dense foods that contain healthy fats. Additionally, it is rich in protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium, among other vital nutrients. Including salmon in your meal plan can help reduce the risk of several conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. What’s more, it’s versatile and easy to prepare.

Before diving into some delicious salmon recipes, here are a few popular types of salmon that you should know about. Knowing this can help you determine the right type of salmon to include in your recipe. 

Popular types of salmon
Some of the best and easiest salmon recipe preparations you could make at home include baked and smoked options. If you decide to prepare a salmon recipe at home, several types are available at your fingertips. Pick wild-caught salmon rather than a farm-raised option. Wild-caught salmon is more nutritious, richer in flavor, and of better quality. On the other hand, farm-based salmon is an inexpensive alternative.

When you go with wild salmon, you have three primary options available:

• King salmon contains the highest fat content, which gives it a rich flavor and texture.
• Coho salmon has a more delicate texture and is similar to king salmon. It is usually smaller and also more frequently used while cooking.
• Sockeye salmon is one of the leanest options available. It also has a vibrant red color and strong flavor.
• Chum salmon is a type popular for its roe (eggs).

Preparing baked salmon
To prepare this delicious baked salmon, you will require a few ingredients. You also need to keep a few things in mind. Here’s what you need:

• Look for salmon filets that are nice, pink, and moist. You could also purchase frozen filets that are vacuum sealed. Ensure that there isn’t any additional freezer burn.
• Olive oil will help keep the meal as healthy as possible. However, you can always use butter or ghee.
• Freshly cracked pepper is another ingredient that should make it into your dish. But remember to taste a little before adding more to the preparation.
• Ensure that you have some minced garlic at home. It will impart a nice flavor to the salmon.
• Consider picking up Italian herb seasoning from a local store or making it yourself. Do not skip this ingredient, as it elevates the dish and imparts a nice flavor.
• A medium-sized lemon should work just fine to add some freshness to the dish. You can always add more lemon if you like your preparations extra tangy and sour.

If you have all the ingredients handy, it’s time to whip up the dish. Here is all that you need to do:

• Preheat the oven to about 400 degrees, and grease a large baking pan. Arrange the salmon filets on the baking sheet and season them graciously with salt and pepper.
• Saute the garlic and herbs in some olive oil. Layer this sauce over the salmon filets, ensuring that you rub all over the tops and sides of the salmon to ensure it has no dry spots. Don’t forget to add some lemon juice.
• After this, thinly slice the rest of the lemon and top each piece of salmon with a slice.
• For the next step, you will need to bake the salmon in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the salmon is flaky when pulled apart with a fork. You could also broil the fish filets for the last one to two minutes if you want.
• Once the salmon is ready, garnish the dish with fresh thyme or parsley if you like the flavor, and serve fresh!

Preparing smoked salmon
If you want to prepare a hassle-free smoked salmon dish, here is one of the easiest recipes you can follow. You will need just a few ingredients. These include the following:

• One salmon filet of about two pounds
• Two tablespoons brown sugar
• Two teaspoons of salt
• Half a teaspoon of pepper
• One to two tablespoons of liquid smoke
• Capers and lemon slices (optional)

Here’s how you can make this recipe. 

• Place the salmon filet and skin side down in a baking pan coated with oil.
• Sprinkle some brown sugar, salt, and pepper, and add a drizzle of liquid smoke. Finally, cover and refrigerate for four to eight hours.
• After eight hours, drain the salmon, and discard the liquid. Bake it uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes until the filet is nice and flaky. Cool it to room temperature.
• Next, cover and refrigerate the dish for about eight hours.
• All you need to do next is take the dish out of the refrigerator and serve it with capers and lemon slides. It’s that easy to bake this salmon recipe.

Fun facts about salmon
Here are a few things that you might not know about salmon:

• The word salmon comes from the Latin word salmo, which later became known as samoun in Middle English.
• New England first began canning salmon in 1840 and shipped it to California. And by 1964, California began supplying the East with canned salmon.
• There are more than 9,000