How to Remove the Skin from Salmon | Fish Filleting

Watch more How to Fillet Fish videos: www.howcast.com...
So what we're going to do is we're going to skin a salmon filet. This technique is pretty much used for all fish. Some of the smaller fish, you just need to use maybe your thumb and your index finger. Some of the bigger fish, even as big as large 100-pound tuna, you may have to wrap your arm around the whole skin and do this. But no matter what size, it's all pretty much the same process.
So what we're going to do is we're going to take our boning knife, our filet knife. Make sure that the piece of fish is lined up as close to the edge as you can possibly get it. The reason why we do that is that we can now then have a little bit more leverage and drop the knife flat down with the board itself or with the table, giving us a little bit more leverage. If your knife comes up or flattens out too much, you can go into the meat and lose tons of product. If you cut it too much, you go into the table and then you end up with the skin still on there.
So what we're going to do is we're just going to take our knife and draw a little bit of like a handle on the back of the fish, pretty much just coming in at about a 45-degree angle. I don't want to waste a lot of meat; I just want to make sure that I can get a little bit of a grip on there. Now what I can do is I can take my knife and turn it and make a couple cuts the other way. One, two, three. And you can see I'm already down to the skin.
Once I'm there, I've got this nice little handle I've created. With some of the bigger fish, you might want to just kind of poke a hole into the skin a little bit so you can get your finger in there, pretty much just have a little bit more leverage. That's about it. So that you can have a little bit of a grip.
And then all we're going to do is once our knife is underneath and kind of on the table at about a 15 to 20-degree angle, we're going to take our skin, and we're not going to pull up. We're not going to zip it out because then we'll crush the meat. All we're going to do is just take it and go back and forth gently, trying to keep the knife pretty still. And what that's going to do is kind of keep the knife along the skin and release the meat from it.
Once you have a little bit more distance, you can get a good grip on there. And again, just keep following through. And then you should be able to pretty much remove the entire skin and have a nice filet. A little bit of that silver skin is OK. That's not really, that's just the inside, nothing wrong with that. Totally edible. Now you have your nice skinned filet.

[@nedsheppa1279]

you just taught me a technique that I've been wanting for years. my wife hates the skin, and u destroy salmon, trying to do this. just watched the vid, and pulled it off pretty much perfect. thanks.

[@nedsheppa1279]

i* destroy...

[@EcnalKcin]

It is a bad technique tbh. It works, but it is slow, and does not come out as nicely as just using your hand.

[@winterswallows]

@@EcnalKcin Yes, but all of you guys are talking at a professional level, I just want to know at a home cooking level, and his technique is perfect to me, and I am pretty sure that Chefs don't go to Google or KZbin to learn the perfect technique.

[@EcnalKcin]

There is still a video or two on KZbin showing how to skin salmon with your bare hands, I suggest you look it up, because it is far easier than using a fillet knife. It also is much faster and produces a better result.

[@adonmartin9670]

Same. I just filleted my salmon decently for the first time!

[@RonOnTheGrill]

Man that was AWESOME! I tried to cut the skin off a Salmon fillet once and man did I ever jack it up. I never would have thought to move the Salmon and keep the knife still. Yours was the first video that came up when I searched, and it should be the only one. Great lesson.

[@machfrk]

I’m not a fisherman by any means and bought a salmon filet at the grocery store recently. Your video was very helpful as I was clueless on how to remove the skin without damaging the meat. Thank you so much!!

[@JamesLee-tg9xl]

nice, concise - in under 3 minutes - the best salmon skinning vid on youtube after much searching! Thank you!

[@tiffanyhogan7862]

Today was my first time cutting scales off of fish & this worked like a charm. Thank you!!

[@justwalkaway9915]

thanks as someone who just started working seafood at a grocery store this was very helpful.

[@rays4960]

deadass me too bud. Customers come in asking for salmon but without the skin and we'd all panic and ask our manager to do it and we'd get blasted. Saved a life fam.

[@whynow7020]

Yo same, Kroger

[@FBI-5]

Me too lol. Fbi fired me

[@justwalkaway9915]

@@FBI-5 awe you lost your job as a federal booby inspector? They tried to make you check a dude didnt they? Oh well FCI positions are still open dont give up hope.

[@FBI-5]

@@justwalkaway9915 we usually frisk our criminals down very firmly and tight.

[@damselinadress2069]

I cooked salmon today. Should have watched this first. Boy did I butcher that fish. It was still good though. lol

[@names-mars]

I just started eating salmon recently, and even recently just started to get the fish whole and clean it up myself. Someone told me, it's always important to know what you're eating. So this was very helpful, thanks.

[@AudioArcturia]

I work in a kitchen and our grill guy just made a grip at the end like you did, but his hand under the fish meat between the skin where you kife is and pulled, he stripped the skin off in a heartbeat. It was badass, and there was barely any skin on the meat after. Practically no waste at all.

[@EcnalKcin]

It is the difference between a "chef" and someone that actually skins salmon professionally. A chef uses a knife, is slow, and leaves skin on the meat. A professional cook who does it all the time, makes an incision, runs his and through it, and done, takes like 5 seconds and comes out cleaner. It is also how they skin salmon in packing facilities, because it is faster and cleaner.

[@niagaramike528]

Perfect. I'd have taken a bit less off at the start of the cut because I hate any waste. Moving the skin rather than the knife is key as you showed. Skinned many a fillet doing almost exactly what you did. Tip: I found that too sharp a knife can be an issue as you can cut through the skin instead of sliding along it. Keeping the knife at just the right angle is important. Also having your wife keep the mosquitoes away from you while trying to get supper ready helps.

[@angelbabyg1]

This was so helpful and such a easy, effective technique! thank you!🙏🏾💞

[@natalief4445]

I have never taken skin off of any fish. I was very nervous I was gonna mess it up but it came out perfect and it was so much fun, thank you!!

[@Alexor715]

Great video. Does it work on human flesh as well??

[@bchuggs]

Awesome video! The tip about having it close to the edge was a huge help! Thanks!

[@DinaRemRealtor]

First time using fresh salmon and this video helped me do it easily . Thank you !!

[@bobbydean7017]

Tried this and it worked perfect!!! 👍🏼 great video

[@Born_Yashish]

Simple and brilliant. Skinning now takes me quarter of the, leaves a tenth of the mess and the fish remains clean. Thank you!

[@MaiGoodLife]

Thank God for this video, it really helped me!

[@davidmyablonsky2294]

Thank you. Helped me with my Seafood Counter cross training, at the grocery store.

[@thebalance519-mindbodycryp4]

WOW bru!!!!! That’s was dirty!! That finger hook tech tho!! Badass move Chef 👌🏽

[@HeritageWealthPlanning]

Holy Schmokes! Worked like a charm! Thanks!

[@alexmeza9523]

You made me the fisherman I am today ❤

[@paintrock]

Great video. Technique works like a charm. Thanks!

[@Saprice82]

I’m amazed!! Can’t wait to try this out!!!!

[@Nobody-xr9xz]

Amazing ! Thank u ...my partner and I struggled today, removing the skin while making kokoda (raw fish in coconut milk)...this is so smart ...will definitely give it a try, next time

[@franklinmonsalles4564]

OMG !!! that was owesome !!! my first time and it worked perfectly ! thanks man !

[@robertnope1993]

Another thing I ought to remember from culinary school but had long since left my brain. Thank ya. M

[@kimbo8778]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you!⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@mdeben1]

Super helpful video. It worked like a charm! Thanks.

[@jasonstudley1688]

Bruh. I screw up skinning salmon ALL the time. My jaw dropped watching this vid. Can't wait to try it.

[@jbsilveradoo8788]

Wow!! This technique worked right away for me! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@elmarito007]

" a little bit of skin is ok" yeah, tell that to my boss.

[@thedude4795]

+Mario Tan if youre watching a professional stating that its really tricky to skin a fish perfect then maybe your boss is a dumbass.

[@yourbuddykevin]

I want to say he's implying that he's joking about showing skin at the workplace.. as in inappropriate clothing. but I dont know. lol

[@antoniokim8033]

Mario Tan is your boss Gordon Ramsay?

[@EcnalKcin]

@@thedude4795 he might be a professional but he doesn't know how to skin a salmon. It literally takes about 5 seconds to skin a salmon without leaving skin on the meat

[@RudeRichDallas]

Super well done!!! Thanks for this very informative video!

[@amaliaaensland8350]

Thanks guy! This was REALLY helpful!

[@vehe63]

Thank you very much for showing us how to do this! Super Kool!

[@rushedhu]

Thank you! I can't believed I managed to do it : ' )

[@ernestmcneill2474]

Thank you for making this video.

[@jerrycoleman882]

Awesome Sauce!! Heading to the kitchen ta getter done!!

[@jc-il4dj]

Thank you thank you thank you!! I had salmon strips and cut one whatever which way, and it came out horrible! lol. watched your video and the rest came out completely PERFECT! Great video!

[@theripoffchicago]

Worked like a charm::: Thanks

[@Virg034]

My wife is gonna be so proud of me lol Thanks!

[@craigyost8443]

Excellent!!! Thank you!

[@mean_mami]

This was easy. Thanks!

[@scarlettink2009]

Thanks!!! I tore up my last filet, should have watched this 1st,,Lol

[@EcnalKcin]

no, this is a bad technique, look up "how to skin a salmon with your bare hands". I literally took two attempts to learn it, and then never failed. It is also how professionals skin salmon. This is a chef, he doesn't skin salmon, someone else does it.

[@winterswallows]

Thank you for demonstrating this, it worked perfectly for me.

[@rami_ungar_writer]

Going to try this while making sushi tonight.

[@metrobroomstick2753]

YOOOOOO IT WORKED LIKE MAGIC

[@dongertan3320]

Thanks for this video. ❤❤❤

[@catg7695]

Very helpful thank you.

[@jc-xl5ut]

Fabulous! Thank you!

[@honestnewsnetworkbackupcha604]

How can you throw away that amazing skin? Your nuts!

[@merciful_king4242]

Nice worked perfectly

[@EcnalKcin]

There are two kinds of youtube videos showing how to skin salmon, chefs like this one that don't skin salmon regularly, and people that do it regularly as part of their job. Yes, the above technique works, but it is slow and messy. A much faster and better technique is to make an incision from the tail end towards the front and get maybe 2 inches of meat free from the skin, then put your hand under the meat you just separated, hold it at a slight angle and just slide it along the skin. It literally just slides right off, doesn't leave skin on the meat, and takes about 5-10 seconds. That said, this technique might be better for other fish, but not salmon.

[@113caleb]

I’ll have to practice I work at a meat department store Loring how to cut different fish that’s the hardest thing for me I’ll just watch this video to help me get through it

[@marklondon3823]

Great presentation. I'll try it tonight - Salmon burgers!

[@martinmendiolamm]

So this was actually really helpful!

[@kedute]

Thanks - works well

[@jamesbmedia8996]

great job man.

[@farheenmumtaz3629]

Wow ... can’t believe I did it perfectly...Thank u So much

[@borizh]

Great video. On my way to the store!

[@MrTaczyk]

Thank you bro! You helped me a lot!

[@brutifullroast2548]

The way we do it at work is instead of poking a hole in the skin we use our indexfinger and thumb to grab it, slide our knife down the tail end then wrap our 3rd finger ournd the skin and push the knife and pull the skin

[@dukerone42]

Thanks. This was very helpful.

[@edanbehjou4935]

You said to put the knife at "15 to 20 degree angle" I cant really see but at 15 or 20 degrees should the blade face up towards the fish or down towards the skin.

[@hearthealevolve531]

Thank you!!!

[@laurendobbs8941]

Thank you very informative video!!

[@carltrummer1704]

Thanks a lot for your good advice.

[@jokare4568]

Great vid thank you

[@GattoriSancho]

Got me looking like a pro.

[@deeplybrown]

Amazing!

[@eekay3646]

Is the skin considered "unhealthy?"

[@youtubeisgay]

Actually, salmon skin is full of vitamins. Very healthy, with many benefits.

[@DjBlakkTux]

thanks !

[@mjparadero7046]

The skin is the best part of salmon

[@RitchieB]

So easy!

[@AFA567poker]

Great video!

[@ACEKYNG_]

What kind of magic trick was this sir?

[@elizabethpolk2164]

I just filleted my first salmon!!!

[@svetu9411]

Masterful!

[@Hallowsaw]

Very similar to how i do it but you should not have to cut any meat from the tail. when you have a sharp knife you can start a section and then start pulling once your a few inches in.

[@ramboner]

Yep that's perfect

[@sunnymelbourneplants]

thanks to you niw I know hiw to skin a salmon piece 😍

Is there any use for the skin after removing or is discarding the only option?

[@brycedenney3114]

Thank you for the helpful video mr. lesbian sir

[@tamikaolarinde2192]

Wow amazing

[@PeterRatcliffe]

Thanks for vid.

[@slappadabass3290]

Will this work for sockeye?

[@antoniokim8033]

So can you eat that raw as is after taking the skin off? I see many Asian KZbinrs eating raw salmon and was just wondering

[@joshpalmer7517]

Antonio Kim no that’s considered sushi-grade tuna

[@antoniokim8033]

Josh Palmer there is a Korean KZbinr who does a lot of Mukbang. Not sure if she’s trying to get views or whatnot but she eats a Salmon as big as the one he’s using here and looks exactly like it as well. It doesn’t have skin on but she eats it. That’s why I was asking

[@leadguitarmiked]

That was the easiest way I’ve ever skinned a salmon!

[@Topaz763]

Who else is procrastinating?

[@matth8278]

Should we rinse the salmon off before or after skinning it?

[@babyxbx304]

thank you!

[@_myhomieaaron]

AWESOME

[@heywal]

good tekkers, thanks for the video.

[@alexisromero398]

Ima use this on a certain somebody later

[@mightytayy9228]

Does it have bones ?

[@calidahill3374]

But what if you don't have super sharp knives to do this tho

[@appl6047]

If you can get the skin crispy n salty then you would love the skin

[@kayphillps66]

his voice 😍😍

[@followufollowme]

Better than Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsey imo!

[@patrickpelletier3855]

Thanks a million times for this! :)