It is safe to eat medium rare salmon if the fish is prepared properly. Freezing the salmon for several days before you prepare it will allow you to safely consume the fish medium rare. If you do not freeze it first, it needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not medium rare.
There is a lot of information to know about the safety of eating medium rare salmon. Scroll down to learn more.
Is It Safe to Eat Medium Rare Salmon?
Eating any type of fish that is raw or undercooked puts you at risk of ingesting tapeworms and other foodborne illnesses. Even salmon caught in North America, including wild Alaskan salmon, are at risk of being infected with these diseases. What this means is that eating salmon medium rare puts you at risk of contracting the illness or parasite as well.
Luckily, there are things you can do to make your salmon safe to eat medium rare. To ensure that all parasites are killed off, freeze the salmon before cooking it. You can freeze the fish at -4 degrees Fahrenheit for several days. If you don’t have that much time, you can freeze it at -31 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 hours.
Freezing the salmon for this long will thoroughly kill any parasites or infection inside the fish, which will allow you to serve it medium rare or even raw without any health concerns.
What Are the Dangers Associated with Eating Salmon Medium Rare?
The number one danger associated with eating medium rare salmon is the risk of parasitic infections. Many fish have parasites living inside them. Although not all of these parasites can live in humans, some do. If you eat a fish with a parasite capable of living in humans, you will then consume the parasite.
What Is the Best Way to Cook Salmon?
Most people agree that the best way to cook salmon is to cook it medium rare. This will allow you to create a crusty texture on the salmon while creating the best flavor from the fish. Of course, it’s imperative to freeze the fish first to ensure all parasites are killed.
How Do You Cook Salmon Medium Rare?
If you want to cook salmon medium rare, begin by freezing your salmon. If you have the time, freeze it at -4 degrees Fahrenheit for several days. The faster option is to freeze it at -31 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 hours at least.
The good thing about freezing salmon is that you don’t have to thaw the fish out before cooking. Just throw it on your pan and allow it to sear until it is between 110 degrees Fahrenheit and 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook it on a grill with the skin side down for the best flavor.
Conclusion
If prepared correctly, salmon is safe to eat medium rare. However, failing to freeze the salmon first can result in parasites, which are very dangerous to humans. Always freeze the salmon first if you want to eat it medium rare or cook it fully.
