Salmon is easy: it requires little to prep and prepare; is in the goldilocks zone of child-friendly textures, squarely between firm and fleshy; is a blank canvas that can withstand many different sauces and flavors. Set it and forget it (for a few minutes, anyway).
Salmon is hard: it overcooks easily, doesn’t look appealing to children, is boring. It is the right initial food for your child (healthy, accessible, quick); it will require some investment on your end to get right. Many don’t.
But the solution is as simple as it is one of skill: master the cook and texture of the fish. You know and presumably don’t love the overcooked plank of ultra pink chalk that seems to be standard at weddings or restaurants your parents like; your baby or toddler ain’t going to want to eat that, either. So ignore the process you’ll often see in other salmon recipes for infants and toddlers–which often involve heating the fish not once but twice–and cook the fish medium rare: it’s not only easier to eat and tastes better but also makes it a lot easier to repurpose leftover fish into other dishes. You’re going to want to do that; we’ll show you how.
Once you get the cook down, things accelerate quickly, because what is good on salmon for you is also going to work for your child. Lemon and butter? Right from the start, in fact. Barbecue glazed? As soon as you’re comfortable having a little sugar in a sauce, yep. Miso? Same as before, just about sodium. Cook the fish right and the options are endless, not only in terms of flavors but also the different dishes you can produce: fritters, dips/spreads, nuggets, and more!
Check out some of our best salmon recipes below:
How to Introduce Salmon to Infants
A Salmon Recipe For Kids Who Refuse To Eat Salmon
Why Not Serve Salmon Spread on a Cracker? Try These ‘Baby’ Rillettes
Everything Bagel-Flavored Salmon Bites
The Crackers In Your Pantry Are The Key To Introducing Salmon Filets to Your Toddler
