How many pounds is a fillet of salmon?

A fillet of salmon can vary in weight depending on a few factors. On average, a salmon fillet weighs between 6-8 ounces or 0.375 – 0.5 pounds. The most important factors that affect the weight of a salmon fillet are:

Species of Salmon

There are five species of Pacific salmon that are commonly consumed:

  • Chinook (King)
  • Sockeye (Red)
  • Coho (Silver)
  • Pink (Humpy)
  • Chum (Dog)

On average, Chinook salmon have the largest fillets weighing 0.5 pounds or more. Sockeye, Coho, and Pink salmon have medium-sized fillets weighing 0.375 – 0.5 pounds. Chum salmon have the smallest fillets at around 0.375 pounds.

Wild vs Farmed Salmon

Wild salmon tend to have smaller fillets than farmed salmon. This is because farmed salmon are fed a high-fat diet to promote fast growth. The increased fat content in farmed salmon results in larger fillet sizes.

A fillet from a smaller wild Chinook may weigh around 0.375 pounds while a fillet from a large farmed Chinook could weigh over 0.75 pounds. The average fillet size of wild salmon ranges from 0.375-0.5 pounds while farmed salmon fillets are 0.5-0.75 pounds.

Salmon Size

Larger, older salmon have bigger fillets than younger, smaller fish. A fillet from a 10-pound wild Chinook will be much larger than a fillet from a 5-pound fish from the same species.

Here are some approximate fillet weights based on the whole salmon size:

Whole Salmon Weight Fillet Weight
5 lbs 0.375 lbs (6 oz)
8 lbs 0.5 lbs (8 oz)
10 lbs 0.625 lbs (10 oz)
12 lbs 0.75 lbs (12 oz)

As you can see, the larger the whole fish, the heavier the fillet will typically be.

Thickness of the Fillet

Fillet thickness can also impact fillet weight. Thicker cut fillets will weigh more than thinner ones. A 0.5 inch thick fillet may weigh 0.5 pounds while a 0.25 inch thick one of the same length weighs only 0.375 pounds.

When filleting salmon, you can cut fillets to your desired thickness. Thinner fillets cook faster while thicker fillets may be juicier and flakier.

Length of Fillet

Finally, the length of the fillet cut will affect its weight. Longer fillets that run almost the entire length of the fish will weigh more than shorter partial fillets.

You may see salmon fillets sold in lengths such as:

  • Petite or partial fillet (4-6 ounces)
  • Standard fillet (6-8 ounces)
  • Jumbo fillet (8-12 ounces)

When purchasing packaged salmon fillets from the store, the weight range is often printed on the label. This provides an accurate weight for that particular fillet length and thickness.

Typical Fillet Sizes by Species

As a quick recap, here are some general fillet weights by salmon species:

Species Typical Fillet Size
Chinook (King) 0.5 – 0.75 lbs
Sockeye (Red) 0.375 – 0.5 lbs
Coho (Silver) 0.375 – 0.5 lbs
Pink (Humpy) 0.375 – 0.5 lbs
Chum (Dog) 0.375 lbs

How Many Ounces in a Salmon Fillet?

Now that we’ve looked at fillet weights in pounds, here is the approximate fillet weight in ounces for quick reference:

  • 4 oz fillet – A petite or partial salmon fillet
  • 6 oz fillet – A standard fillet from a small Chum or Pink salmon
  • 8 oz fillet – An average fillet size for Sockeye, Coho, and smaller Chinook/King
  • 10 oz fillet – A large fillet from a big Chinook salmon
  • 12 oz fillet – An extra-large Chinook or farmed salmon fillet

So on average, you can expect a salmon fillet to weigh between 6-8 ounces, or 3/4 pound. Portion sizes for cooked salmon are often 4-6 ounces, so one average fillet is perfect for serving one person.

How to Calculate Exact Fillet Weight

If you need a more precise weight for cooking needs, you can calculate the weight of a salmon fillet filleted at home. Here is a simple process:

  1. Catch or purchase a whole salmon and record the total weight.
  2. Fillet the salmon and separate the fillets from the body.
  3. Weigh each fillet individually on a kitchen scale.
  4. Record the weights of each fillet.
  5. Divide the total fillet weight by the number of fillets for the average weight per fillet.

For example, say you caught a 10 lb salmon. After filleting, the two fillets weighed 0.8 lbs and 0.9 lbs respectively. The average would be (0.8 + 0.9) / 2 = 0.85 lbs per fillet.

This will provide you with the most accurate fillet weight for that particular fish. The fillet yield from a whole salmon is typically around 50-60% of the total body weight.

Factors That Don’t Impact Fillet Weight

Some factors that people commonly assume affect fillet weight but actually have little impact include:

  • Gender – Males and females of the same species and size have similar fillet weights
  • Muscle density – More muscular fish don’t necessarily have heavier fillets
  • Fillet color – The color of the meat whether pale pink or deep orange does not affect weight
  • Body shape – Narrow-bodied vs wider fish have similar fillet yields when corrected for total weight

The total body weight, thickness of cut, and length of fillet are the biggest determinants of salmon fillet weight in pounds.

Typical Cooked Fillet Yield

When cooking salmon fillets using moist methods like baking, broiling, grilling, or poaching, some weight is lost as the fillet cooks. The fluids released during cooking account for around 20-30% weight loss.

For example, if you start with an 8 oz raw fillet, the cooked weight will be around 5.5 to 6 oz after accounting for moisture loss. Use this as a guide when meal planning to know how much cooked salmon you will end up with.

Buying Salmon Fillets

When purchasing packaged salmon fillets from grocery stores or fish markets, the total weight will be printed on the label. This takes the guesswork out of determining the fillet weight.

Packaged fillets are also typically labeled with the species, farm-raised vs wild, and origin of the salmon. Choosing individually portioned fillets in the 0.5 to 0.75 lb range will provide enough salmon for a single serving.

Cutting Your Own Fillets

If you are catching or buying whole salmon to fillet at home, a general rule of thumb is that each fillet will be around 1/4 to 1/3 of the total body weight. For example, a 15 lb salmon may yield two 6-8 oz fillets.

Cut salmon fillets to your desired thickness and length based on your meal plans. Aim for 0.5 inch thickness for a good balance of flakiness and moisture retention when cooking. Portion control is easier when cutting your own fillets compared to pre-packaged cuts.

Cooking Times by Fillet Thickness

Adjusting cooking times based on fillet thickness results in better texture and doneness. Here are some general salmon fillet thickness cooking guidelines:

Thickness Cooking Time
0.25 inch 6-8 minutes
0.375 inch 8-10 minutes
0.5 inch 10-12 minutes
0.75 inch 12-15 minutes

These times are for broiling or baking at 400°F. Thinner fillets require less time while thicker cuts need longer cooking. Adjust as needed based on your preparation method.

Nutrition Facts for a 6 oz Salmon Fillet

A 6 ounce cooked salmon fillet contains approximately:

Nutrient Amount
Calories 270
Fat 15g
Protein 34g
Carbs 0g
Omega-3s 2g
Vitamin D 50% DV
Selenium 50% DV
Vitamin B12 50% DV

Salmon is high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, selenium, and other important nutrients. A 6 oz fillet provides an excellent source of nutrition in one serving.

Cost of Salmon Per Pound

Salmon prices fluctuate throughout the year with seasonal availability but on average:

  • Wild caught salmon ranges from $12-$18 per pound.
  • Farmed salmon averages $8-$12 per pound.

Species impacts price as well, with King salmon commanding the highest prices, followed by Sockeye, Coho, and Pink. Chum salmon is the most affordable.

When salmon are abundant during peak fishing seasons, you can often find sales for farmed salmon at $5-$8 per pound and wild salmon for $8-$12 per pound.

Is Salmon Expensive?

Relative to other types of fish and sources of protein, salmon lands on the pricier side. However, when taking into account the exceptional flavor and nutritional value of salmon, it can be worth the higher cost.

There are also ways to buy salmon for less:

  • Choose farmed instead of wild caught
  • Buy frozen salmon which is cheaper than fresh
  • Look for salmon portions on sale such as canned salmon or individual frozen fillets
  • Purchase cheaper species like Pink salmon

With the right buying strategies, salmon can still fit into most budgets especially for an occasional splurge meal.

Maximizing Value per Pound

To get the most for your money when buying salmon, keep these tips in mind:

  • Check unit pricing – compare cost per pound not package size
  • Buy in bulk when salmon is on sale, then freeze extras
  • Use the whole fish – make stock from the head/bones and cook the collar
  • Make a marinade to boost flavor of less expensive cuts like Chum
  • Use leftover cooked salmon in salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes etc

With smart shopping and a little creativity in the kitchen, salmon can be affordable and maximize your investment per pound.

Conclusion

A salmon fillet can range from 4 ounces for a petite cut to 12 ounces or more for an extra thick steak from a large Chinook. However, on average a single serving fillet will be around 6-8 ounces.

Fillet weight is dependent on the species, salmon size, thickness, and length of the cut. Chinook salmon have the largest fillets while Chum have the smallest. Verify weight on packaged fillets and weigh home cut fillets for accuracy.

Adjust cooking times and methods based on fillet thickness. Portion control is easier when buying fillets within the ideal 6-8 oz range. While not cheap, salmon offers excellent nutritional value when purchased strategically to maximize every pound.

Leave a Comment