It’s Not Salmon, It’s Trout!

Is Steelhead salmon or trout?

While they might look quite similar at first glance, they’re actually two different fish.

Steelhead is actually the same species as rainbow trout, but rainbow are freshwater only, and steelhead are anadromous, or go to sea. Unlike most salmon, steelhead can survive spawning, and can spawn in multiple years (1).

Steelhead salmon are commonly known as trout, but in fact they are a species of salmon native to the Pacific region (2)

Steelhead is rich in Vitamin D, B12, Selenium and Omega-3 Fatty Acids, making it a nutritious choice of proteins to add to your real food arsenal!

The key, as with all fish, is to make sure to source it from the right place, making sure it’s wild and not farmed.

One way to do your part, in addition to not buying farmed, is to support organizations such as the Wild Steelhead Coaltion which, per their site, is the “only organization devoted solely to the future of wild steelhead. As an all-volunteer coalition comprised of individuals like you working together to protect these magnificent fish, each and every dollar is spent directly on steelhead recovery efforts.”

Source it, procure it…eat it!

Check out this quick and easy recipe for my Pan Seared Steelhead with Greens!

Pan Seared Wild Steelhead with Sautéed Greens

 

 

 

 

  1. http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/salmon/steelhead.html
  2. http://www.gosalmonfishing.com/salmon-species-steelhead.php