What does cooked salmon look like

If you think you don't like salmon, chances are high that you're overcooking it. Overcooked salmon is super-firm and opaque orange all the way through and whether it's farm-raised or wild, it will be dry, chalky, and, frankly, a waste of your hard-earned cash.

(Another sign that salmon's gone too far? Tons of that white salmon goop called albumin.)

For the benefit of salmon Niçoise salads everywhere, never cook your salmon above medium: That's the temperature where a fillet is at its prime level of juiciness (and is safe to eat).

But how can you tell know how to tell when salmon is cooked to a perfect medium?

Salmon turning white in fridge

Why is my salmon white after cooking

What does undercooked salmon look like

What color should salmon be when cooked

How to avoid white stuff on salmon

Do you need an X-ray machine?

No. No radiation needed here. The easiest way to see if your salmon has finished cooking is to gently press down on the top of the fillet with a fork or your finger. If the flesh of the salmon flakes—meaning, it separates easily along the white lines that run across the fillet (strips of fish fat)—it’s finished cooking.

How to tell if salmon is cooked

Take it off of the heat! Do it! Now! If you cook the salmon any further it will dry out and crumble

why does salmon look white when cooked

should salmon be white in the middle