Salmon piccata is actually Patty’s marvelous creation. She’s been obsessed with chicken piccata for well over a decade. I took some serious convincing when she first sprung it on me. I was not the biggest lemon and caper fan. But now I can say with confidence, I love the combo, and this recipe is nothing short of amazing.

This salmon piccata recipe is of course based on your typical chicken piccata. Capers, lemon, garlic, butter, and white wine, create a thick tangy sauce that’s perfect for salmon or steelhead trout. Sure it goes well with chicken, but the flavors lend themselves even more to fish.

Salmon Versus Steelhead Trout

This recipe can be made with salmon or steelhead trout. The two fish are very similar in flavor and general profile. Like salmon, steelhead trout has a reddish hue, a distinct “fishy” flavor, and nearly identical overall texture. If you love salmon, you’ll probably like steelhead trout.

The Key to Good Piccata

Piccata sauce is easy to make if you follow the correct steps. It’s as simple as searing the fish in the pan first, transferring to a plate and simmering your sauce in the same pan until almost creamy. The whole process from start to finish only takes about 10 minutes.

A few takeaways:

• Dredging the salmon in flour beforehand is a must. It helps create a thin crust and a little texture to compliment the tender, flakey inside. It also helps gives the piccata sauce a better surface to stick to.

• Picatta sauce should be slightly thick, almost creamy with a little haze. Thanks to the reduced chicken broth, melted butter, and residual flour in the pan. Without the butter, you won’t achieve the same viscosity. If the sauce is still runny, add a little more butter or a pinch of flour and simmer.

• I use wine and chicken broth for liquids as opposed to broth and water. Wine, of course, adds more flavor and has nice fruity notes. Look for dry wines such as sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. Avoid sweet wines.
• If the piccata sauce starts to dry out and gets too thick, a few tablespoons of water will help thin it out.

Patty always serves any piccata dish over pasta. This is entirely up to you and not a bad idea if I do add. Penne or linguine are a few of my faves.

More Salmon Recipes You’ll Love

• Garlic butter steelhead trout in foil
• Grilled salmon with basil butter
• Sesame ginger salmon in foil
• Blackened salmon with cilantro lime butter
• Cilantro lime salmon in foil

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