How to make delicious, non-fishy salmon sour soup at home

Salmon sour soup is a refreshing, nutrient-rich dish that is perfect for family meals. The mild acidity of tamarind or dracontomelon blends with the natural sweetness of salmon, creating a harmonious and appetizing flavor. If prepared correctly, the salmon will not have a fishy taste but will retain its characteristic richness and aroma. In this article, let’s join Ola Squid to learn how to cook a simple and nutritious salmon sour soup.

1. How to cook salmon sour soup

1.1. Ingredients

The ingredients you need to prepare for a delicious salmon sour soup include:

• 3 salmon fillets
• 3 tomatoes, 3 stems of elephant ear stalks (doc mung)
• 1 bowl of pickled bamboo shoots, 1/3 pineapple
• 1 chili, 1 handful of bean sprouts
• 1 lime, 2 stalks of green onion
• 1 small handful of rice paddy herb (rau ngo), a little white wine
• 1 shallot and 2 garlic cloves
• Seasonings: fish sauce, salt, seasoning powder, sugar

1.2 Preparation

The detailed method for cooking salmon sour soup is as follows:

Step 1 – Prepare ingredients:

• First, wash the salmon with salt and a little white wine to remove any fishy odor, then rinse with clean water and drain. Marinate the fish with a little salt and fish sauce to make it more flavorful.
• Wash the tomatoes and cut into wedges. Peel the pineapple and cut into bite-sized pieces. Wash the pickled bamboo shoots and squeeze out excess water. Peel the elephant ear stalks and slice them diagonally.
• Peel and mince or thinly slice the shallots and garlic. Wash the rice paddy herb and green onions, then chop finely. Wash the bean sprouts and drain, then slice the chili.

Step 2 – Cook the sour broth: Place a pot on the stove, add cooking oil, heat it up, and sauté the shallots and garlic until fragrant. Next, add the pineapple, pickled bamboo shoots, and a portion of the tomatoes to stir-fry briefly with fish sauce to release the aroma. Add about 3 bowls of boiling water to the pot and cook for 5 – 7 minutes for the flavors to blend.

Step 3 – Cook the salmon: Once the broth is boiling, add the salmon to the pot and cook for about 3 – 4 minutes so the fish is just cooked and retains its tender sweetness.

Step 4 – Finishing touches: Add the remaining tomatoes, elephant ear stalks, and seasonings such as fish sauce, sugar, seasoning powder, and salt to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then adjust the seasoning to taste. Finally, add lime juice, bean sprouts, green onions, and chili. Ladle the soup into a bowl, sprinkle with rice paddy herb and a little pepper to make the dish more fragrant and appetizing.

See more: How to make nutritious, non-fishy oyster sour soup and how to choose good oysters

2. How to cook salmon head sour soup

2.1. Ingredients

To cook an attractive salmon head sour soup, you need to prepare the following ingredients:

• 500g salmon head
• 3 tomatoes, 200g fresh shrimp
• 300g okra, 200g elephant ear stalks (bac ha)
• 1 pineapple, 1 tablespoon of sate chili sauce
• 3 garlic cloves, 50g tamarind paste
• Some herbs like saw-tooth herb, rice paddy herb
• A little wine or vinegar to remove the fishy odor
• Common spices: salt, seasoning powder, pepper, sugar, and cooking oil

2.2. Method

Instructions on how to cook simple salmon head sour soup:

Step 1 – Prepare and marinate the seafood: Wash the salmon head, remove any bloody parts, and rinse multiple times with cold water. Wash the shrimp as well, rubbing gently with salt to remove the odor. Then, quickly blanch the fish and shrimp in water mixed with a little wine or vinegar to reduce the fishy smell. Next, marinate the fish and shrimp with salt, seasoning powder, and pepper for about 15 – 20 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 2 – Prepare other ingredients: Wash the tomatoes and cut into wedges. Slice the elephant ear stalks and okra diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Soak the tamarind in hot water, mash to extract the sour juice, and discard the seeds. Peel the pineapple and cut into small pieces.

Step 3 – Sauté the ingredients: Place a pan on the stove, add cooking oil, heat it up, and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Next, add the pineapple and sauté for a few minutes to release the aroma, then add the tomatoes and sate sauce, stirring until the tomatoes are soft and have a beautiful color.

Step 4 – Cook the sour soup: Next, pour about 1 – 1.2 liters of water into the pot along with the tamarind extract, bring to a boil, and season with salt, seasoning powder, and sugar to taste. When the soup is boiling, add the salmon head, shrimp, elephant ear stalks, and okra, and cook for about 5 – 7 minutes until all ingredients are cooked through.

Step 5 – Finishing touches: When the fish and shrimp are cooked, turn off the heat, ladle the soup into a bowl, and sprinkle with some fresh herbs. Salmon head sour soup has a mild sour, naturally sweet taste, which is very suitable for serving with white rice or vermicelli noodles.

>>> Similar delicious salmon dishes you can refer to:

• 3 ways to make delicious, non-fishy soy-marinated salmon
• 7 super delicious pan-seared salmon recipes that you’ll love instantly
• 5 simple and delicious ways to make salmon with garlic butter sauce at home
• 5 suggestions for simple and nutritious salmon with orange sauce for your family

3. Some notes when cooking salmon sour soup

To ensure the salmon sour soup is flavorful and not fishy, you should pay attention to a few things during the preparation process:

• Choose fresh salmon: You should choose fish with a slightly greenish-silver sheen, and the meat should retain its natural pink-orange color. If the fish still has its eyes, they should be clear, not cloudy, which indicates the fish is still fresh.
• Properly prepare the fish: You can use salmon heads, fins, bones, or fillets to cook the soup. If using the head, after cleaning, pat dry and chop into small pieces to make the soup stock sweeter.
• Select fresh vegetables: Ingredients like tomatoes, pineapple, herbs, or elephant ear stalks should be fresh and clean to ensure the soup has a delicious flavor and is food-safe.
• Skim off the foam while cooking: During cooking, you should regularly skim off the foam to make the soup clear and more visually appealing.
• Enjoy while hot: Salmon sour soup is best when eaten hot and can be served with rice or vermicelli noodles. The dish will be even more flavorful if you dip the fish in fish sauce mixed with fresh chili.

• Season moderately: You should only add enough seasoning to taste to maintain the natural tart sourness and the sweetness of the salmon.
• Consume within the day: To ensure the best flavor and quality, the soup should be consumed on the same day it is cooked.

See more: What delicious dishes to make with snakehead fish? Summary of easy-to-make recipes

4. Nutritional value of salmon head

The salmon head is a part packed with beneficial nutrients for health, specifically as follows:

• Rich in Omega-3: Helps reduce inflammation, supports blood pressure regulation, and decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
• Supports blood sugar control: The selenium and vitamin D content in salmon help improve metabolism and support insulin regulation.
• Provides many vitamins and minerals: Includes vitamin A, B, D, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and selenium, which help the body stay healthy.
• Good for the heart: Nutrients in salmon heads help reduce cholesterol and limit the risk of arterial stiffness.
• Enhances brain function: Adding salmon to your diet regularly can help improve memory and support the nervous system.
• Reduces the risk of stroke and supports weight loss: Salmon heads provide potassium and many nutrients that are beneficial for cardiovascular health and physical fitness.
• Helps prevent aging: Nutrients found in salmon heads help slow down the body’s aging process.
• Good for eyes, bones, joints, and skin: Thanks to the abundant content of nutrients that help the body develop and maintain health.

Hopefully, the suggestions above have helped you learn how to cook a flavorful, hot salmon sour soup to enrich your family meals. If you want to explore more delicious recipes and cooking secrets, don’t forget to visit our Ola Squid blog to stay updated on the latest articles. Also, if you’re looking for premium snacks to pair with your meals, check out our delicious dried squid snacks.