Champagne Tastes®

  • About
  • Travel
    • Food Travel
    • Outdoor Adventure
  • Recipe Index
    • Garden To Table
    • Seafood
    • Camping Recipes
    • Ferment
    • Backyard Foraging + Wild Game
    • Cooking Basics
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Garden To Table
  • Seafood
  • Ferment
  • Foraging + Wild Game
  • Cooking Basics
  • Camping Recipes
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Food Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Cooking Basics

    King Salmon Recipe Ideas

    Published: Nov 17, 2018 · Modified: Nov 14, 2023 · 2 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    King salmon is the most luxurious type of salmon, and is perfect for a gourmet dinner.  Use these king salmon recipe ideas to help you prepare this premium fish!

    king salmon recipes

    Have you tried king salmon (or Chinook salmon) yet?

    This luxurious, ultra-fatty (in a good way!) type of salmon is high-end seafood at its best. 

    King salmon fillets are thick, marbled with healthy fats, and when prepared correctly-- melt in your mouth.  If you know someone who appreciates seafood, but doesn't love salmon-- king salmon could open up a whole new world of salmon-obsession.

    King salmon is SPECTACULAR.

    It can also be quite pricey, so if you want a little help deciding how to prepare it-- I'm here to help! 

    These King salmon recipe ideas will help get you started.

    Learn more about salmon: Wild Salmon vs. Farmed Salmon and learn about the different Types of Salmon.

    Where Can I Buy King Salmon?

    I recommend signing up for a CSF (community supported fishery). We love the King salmon we've received from Sitka Salmon Shares.

    A CSF will (usually) be able to ship you frozen fish wherever you live.

    Unfamiliar with the concept of community supported fisheries? Learn more here!

    If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you might be able to find fresh king salmon during its peak summer season.

    If you live anywhere else in the United States, or if you're shopping outside of peak season, look in the frozen seafood aisle.  King salmon can be a little hard to find, so look in the grocery store near you with the best supply of frozen seafood.

    Fish Fraud: King or Atlantic?

    Sadly, fish fraud is a thing.  And it's a problem when shopping for king salmon-- especially if you're ordering it in a restaurant outside of the summer season.

    Be aware that some less-than-honest businesses will swap out the much cheaper Atlantic salmon for king salmon, so don't be afraid to ask questions about the fish before ordering in a restaurant.

    What Does King Salmon Look Like?

    King salmon is pale pink, with lighter fat marbling throughout the fillets.  The fillets should be plump, and much thicker than any other type of salmon you'll see on the market.

    What Does King Salmon Taste like?

    King salmon is mild, mellow, and buttery.  It pairs well with citrus and other tart flavors.

    How Do I Cook This Salmon?

    The same way you cook any piece of salmon!  Learn some basic techniques here:  How to Cook Salmon.

    King Salmon Recipe Ideas

    If you're looking for a king salmon recipe, you're in the right place!  These recipes are written specifically for the ultra-rich and fatty king salmon, and will have you enjoying this decadent fish in no time!

    If you love to grill, I recommend starting with the Grilled Salmon with Plum Sauce.

    If you love summer cherries, start with my personal favorite-- Seared Salmon with Cherry Almond Topping.

    Deconstructed Sushi Bowls
    These deconstructed sushi bowls (poke bowls) are made with seasoned sushi rice, marinated salmon or ahi tuna, and a spicy mayo sauce, and are an easy alternative to sushi.
    Make It
    deconstructed sushi bowls on a serving tray.
    Honey Bourbon Salmon
    This honey bourbon salmon is marinated in an easy bourbon sauce, broiled until tender, and finished with the sweet honey bourbon glaze.
    Make It
    honey bourbon salmon on plates
    Sweet Chili Glazed Salmon
    This easy sweet chili glazed salmon is marinated and then broiled until tender and flaky, and is served with a sweet and spicy chili sauce.
    Make It
    Sweet Chili Glazed Salmon on Plates
    Grilled King Salmon with Plum Sauce
    This grilled King salmon recipe features lucious King salmon cooked on a grill and served with a fresh, homemade plum sauce.
    Make It
    This luscious Grilled King Salmon with Plum Sauce is made with rich and meaty King salmon fillets and fresh plum sauce!
    Pan-Seared Salmon with Almond Cherry Sauce
    This cherry almond pan-seared salmon is made with fish seasoned with citrus and served with an easy cherry amaretto pan-sauce. Perfect for date night!
    Make It
    This Almond Cherry Seared Salmon is the perfect date night centerpiece, and features rich king salmon seared to perfection and topped with hot, juicy cherries and toasted almonds.
    Poached Salmon with Blueberry Sauce
    This Poached Salmon with Blueberry Sauce is made with decadent King salmon poached in spiced white wine, and served with an easy blueberry sauce.
    Make It
    This Poached Salmon with Blueberry Sauce is made with decadent king salmon poached in spiced white wine, and served with an easy blueberry sauce. champagne-tastes.com #ad

    Want even more King salmon ideas? Try this Mediterranean Salmon from Sweet + Savory Meals!

    More Cooking Basics

    • lobster on a platter with butter sauce, lemon wedges + garlic
      Lobster Butter Sauce
    • Log of garlic scape butter.
      Garlic Scape Butter
    • Peanut Butter Granola
    • salmon steaks in a pan.
      How to Debone Salmon Steaks

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

    1. LYNNE King says

      August 23, 2021 at 5:14 pm

      I find it curious that you never mention Salmon of the Great Lakes. As an avid fisher of these waters, I really enjoy my catches. Most of what we catch are Kings but we also catch Coho which happens to be my favorite.

      Reply
      • Alisha Trenalone says

        August 23, 2021 at 6:39 pm

        Salmon from the Great Lakes is an awesome option if you live nearby! And we love coho salmon too 🙂

        -Alisha at Champagne Tastes

        Reply
    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

    Learn More →

    Currently Trending

    • langostino lobster rolls on a serving tray.
      Langostino Lobster Rolls
    • pan-seared rockfish on a plate
      Pan-Seared Rockfish
    • pan-seared red snapper on plates
      Pan-Seared Red Snapper
    • crab butter sauce on a platter with crab legs
      Crab Butter Sauce

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For California Residents
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For Nevada Residents

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe and Photo Reuse Terms + FAQ

    Copyright ©2015-2025 Champagne Tastes
    All Rights Reserved.