What Does 12 Ounces of Salmon Look Like? A Helpful Visual Guide

Salmon is one of the most nutritious, flavorful fish you can eat. Rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids and essential nutrients, it’s a star ingredient in many healthy diets.

When cooking salmon at home, a 12 ounce portion is a popular and convenient size for individual meals or dinner for two. But if you’re new to preparing salmon, you might be wondering – what does 12 ounces of salmon actually look like?

This handy visual guide will give you a clear picture of what to expect from a raw and cooked salmon portion of 12 ounces Let’s get started!

Why Choose a 12 Ounce Salmon Portion?

Before we dive into the visuals, it helps to understand why 12 ounces is a common amount for salmon. Here are some of the reasons this size is useful for many home cooks:

• Perfect personal portion – 12 ounces is a satisfying and filling serving for one adult. It provides a good source of protein and nutrients without excess calories.

• Easy to share – A 12 ounce salmon piece can be split between 2-3 people for lighter appetites or kids’ servings.

• Standard packaging size – Salmon fillets are often sold pre-portioned in 12 ounce vacuum sealed packs, making meal planning seamless.

• Works for multiple meals – A 12 ounce salmon fillet can be repurposed into various dishes like salmon salad or salmon cakes.

• Nutritional benefits – Eating 12 ounces of salmon provides anti-inflammatory omega-3s, B vitamins, selenium and other vital nutrients.

Now that you know why 12 ounces is such a versatile and convenient salmon serving, let’s look at how to visualize this raw portion size.

What Does 12 Ounces of Raw Salmon Look Like?

If you’re purchasing or portioning salmon yourself, it helps to have a mental image of what a 12 ounce raw piece looks like. Here are some easy size comparisons

• Roughly the size of a deck of cards – The length, width and thickness of a 12 ounce raw salmon fillet is similar to a standard deck of cards laid flat.

• Around the size of a Samsung Galaxy smartphone – Hold your smartphone in one hand. A raw 12 ounce salmon portion is approximately the same size.

• Fits neatly in the palm of your hand – Resting a 12 ounce piece of raw salmon in your palm, it should take up your entire hand space, like a baseball or tennis ball would.

• The thickness of 2-3 iPhones – Looking at the fillet sideways, the thickness should be about 2-3 times the width of an iPhone.

• 2/3 of a typical whole fillet – If purchasing a whole salmon side fillet, a 12 ounce portion would be roughly 2/3 of that full fillet.

Comparing Different Salmon Varieties

It’s worth noting that different salmon species can vary slightly in size and proportions at 12 ounces. Here are some examples:

• King salmon – The largest variety, so a 12 ounce King fillet will be long and slender.
• Sockeye salmon – Wider and shorter than King at 12 ounces.
• Coho salmon – Moderate length and thickness at 12 ounces.
• Pink salmon – The smallest, so 12 ounces has the shortest length.
• Chum salmon – Similar to Sockeye, wider and shorter.

Regardless of exact shape, a 12 ounce portion of any raw salmon will be close to the deck of cards and smartphone comparisons.

How Does Cooked Salmon Compare?

When salmon is cooked, the fillet shrinks and loses moisture. You’ll notice some key differences:

• The cooked fillet is 25% smaller – It weighs about 9 ounces after cooking a 12 ounce raw piece.
• Appears opaque throughout – Raw salmon is translucent while cooked is opaque pink.
• The texture is flaky and firmer.
• The fillet is thinner and more compressed.
• It fits more snugly in your palm.

So a cooked 12 ounce salmon serving has a more compact, shrunken appearance compared to the raw version.

Weighing and Measuring 12 Ounces of Salmon

If you want to precisely size your salmon portions, using a digital kitchen scale is the best approach.

Here is an easy technique:

• Place cutting board on scale, press tare to reset to 0.
• Put whole salmon fillet on board, slice into portions.
• Stop cutting when scale shows 12 ounces.
• Repeat process with remainder of salmon.

For cooked salmon, remember to cut raw portions about 4 ounces larger to allow for shrinkage during cooking.

If you don’t have a scale, use the visual cues above to estimate a deck of cards size. It’s ideal to slightly overestimate portions.

Cooking Your 12 Ounce Salmon Fillets

To cook your 12 ounce salmon portions to tender, flaky perfection:

• Preheat oven or pan to 400°F.
• Brush fillets lightly with oil or melted butter.
• Optionally season with herbs, salt, pepper, citrus, etc.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or pan sear for 4-5 minutes skin-side down first.
• Check internal temperature, aim for 145°F when done.

Be careful not to overcook – salmon dries out quickly! Rest for 5 minutes before serving your beautiful salmon.

Nutrition Information in 12 Ounces of Salmon

What nutrition and health benefits does a 12 ounce serving of salmon provide? Here are some key numbers:

• Protein: 68 grams
• Omega-3 fatty acids: 1.5 grams
• B12: Over 100% RDA
• Selenium: 78% RDA
• Potassium: Over 50% RDA

With high quality protein for muscle repair and anti-inflammatory fats for heart health, salmon nutrition is outstanding!

Of course, balance and moderation is still key. Consuming very large amounts of salmon daily could lead to excess mercury. But as part of a varied diet, salmon delivers exceptional health perks.

Recipes to Make with 12 Ounces of Salmon

Ready to cook up a tasty 12 ounce salmon meal? Here are some mouthwatering recipe ideas to try:

• Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon – Top with lemon slices and roasted garlic.
• Blackened Salmon – Coated in Cajun seasoning and seared in a hot pan.
• Salmon Fried Rice – Flake into stir-fried rice and veggies.
• Salmon Burgers – Transform into hearty salmon patties.
• Salmon Salad Wraps – Mix with greens and dressings for an easy lunch.

With its versatility, salmon pairs beautifully with endless flavors and ingredients. A 12 ounce fillet can be repurposed into any dish you desire!

Visual Summary of 12 Ounces Salmon

To recap, here is a quick visual rundown of what 12 ounces of salmon looks like:

Raw

• Deck of cards size
• Fits in palm of hand
• 2/3 of a typical fillet

Cooked

• Shrinks by about 25%
• Opaque and flaky texture

Understanding proper 12 ounce salmon portion sizes, both raw and cooked, takes the guesswork out of salmon prep and recipes. With this handy visual guide, you can start cooking delicious and nutritious salmon meals with confidence!