Longhorn Steakhouse is a popular steakhouse chain with locations across the United States. One of their signature menu items is salmon, which they serve grilled, blackened, or pecan crusted. But what kind of salmon does Longhorn actually use for their salmon dishes?
Types of Salmon
There are five main types of salmon that are commercially fished and sold:
Chinook Salmon
Also known as king salmon, Chinook salmon are the largest of the salmon species. They have a high fat content, giving them a rich, omega-3 flavor. Chinook salmon live in the Pacific Ocean and migrate up North American rivers to spawn.
Sockeye Salmon
Sockeye salmon have a bright red-orange color and firm texture. They have an intense flavor and high oil content thanks to their diet of krill and zooplankton. Sockeye salmon are found in the northern Pacific and Alaska.
Coho Salmon
Known for their medium-firm texture and moderate fat content, coho salmon are milder in flavor. They range from blue-green to silver in color. Coho salmon are found throughout the northern Pacific Ocean.
Pink Salmon
Pink salmon have a light pink flesh and delicate flavor. They are the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific salmon. Pink salmon primarily come from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic salmon are native to the North Atlantic but over 95% sold commercially come from fish farms. They have a mild flavor and are often orange or pink in color.
Longhorn’s Salmon Options
Longhorn Steakhouse offers three different salmon entrées on their menu:
- Grilled Salmon – salmon filet grilled with Longhorn’s steak seasoning
- Pecan Crusted Salmon – salmon coated in chopped pecans and breadcrumbs
- Blackened Salmon – salmon blackened with Cajun spices
Customers can choose their preferred cooking method for the salmon. All three dishes are made from fresh salmon fillets.
The Verdict: Atlantic Salmon
After some investigation, it appears that Longhorn Steakhouse uses Atlantic salmon for their salmon dishes. Here’s the evidence:
- Taste – Customers report the salmon at Longhorn has a mild, slightly sweet flavor typical of farmed Atlantic salmon.
- Color – Photos of Longhorn’s salmon show it to be orange-pink in color, like Atlantic salmon.
- Supply – Atlantic salmon is the most widely available and affordable salmon option.
- Consistency – Farmed Atlantic salmon provides consistent size and quality for a chain restaurant.
Atlantic salmon makes the most sense for a chain like Longhorn that needs a reliable, affordable salmon supply for all of its locations. The mild taste won’t overpower the seasonings and breading used in Longhorn’s salmon recipes.
Where Longhorn Gets Its Atlantic Salmon
Longhorn Steakhouse is owned by Darden Restaurants, which operates several other full-service restaurant chains like Olive Garden and Capital Grille. Darden has an extensive seafood supply and distribution system set up with vendors to supply fresh fish and shellfish to all of its restaurants.
For its Atlantic salmon, Darden likely sources from one or more of the major farmed salmon producers like:
- Marine Harvest – Norwegian company and worlds largest farmed salmon supplier
- Leroy Seafood Group – Second largest, also a Norwegian company
- Cermaq – Part of Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi, major farmed salmon company
- Cooke Aquaculture – Major Canadian aquaculture company with salmon farms
These big suppliers can provide the volume of fresh Atlantic salmon needed for a national chain. Darden has the purchasing power to buy farm-raised salmon at wholesale prices for all 800+ Longhorn Steakhouse locations.
How Longhorn Prepares Its Atlantic Salmon
To serve up tasty salmon dishes from a standardized chain restaurant menu, Longhorn Salmon likely follows a precise salmon preparation process:
- Atlantic salmon fillets are delivered fresh or thawed from frozen packs to each restaurant.
- Fillets are portioned into 6-8 oz servings.
- Salmon is seasoned and/or coated according to the menu item.
- Grilled salmon is cooked on a flat top grill at high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Blackened salmon is cooked in a very hot skillet with oil for 4 minutes per side.
- Pecan crusted salmon is baked at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until topping is browned.
- Salmon is plated with side dishes like rice pilaf, broccoli, and lemon.
This standard prep routine ensures every salmon dish at every Longhorn location is cooked properly and consistently.
Nutrition of Longhorn’s Atlantic Salmon
Here is the approximate nutrition information for a 6-8 ounce serving of Atlantic salmon at Longhorn Steakhouse:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 330-440 |
| Fat | 18-24g |
| Protein | 34-45g |
| Carbs | 0g |
| Omega-3s | 2.0-2.8g |
As a fatty fish, Atlantic salmon provides a good source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. It’s also high in protein while being low in carbs and calories compared to many steakhouse menu items. Salmon provides a healthier alternative to steak and other red meats at Longhorn.
Cost of Longhorn’s Salmon
Longhorn Steakhouse charges between $18.00-$22.00 for their salmon entrées. However, the actual food cost for them to purchase fresh Atlantic salmon fillets is much lower.
Estimating $4-$6 per 6-8 ounce portion for fresh Atlantic salmon fillets, the ingredients cost for Longhorn is likely only $3-5 per salmon dish. With high menu prices, salmon dishes generate substantial profit for the restaurant chain.
Alternatives to Atlantic Salmon at Longhorn
While Atlantic farmed salmon is a sensible choice for Longhorn Steakhouse, here are some other salmon types they could consider:
Wild Alaskan Salmon
Using wild-caught Pacific salmon like sockeye or coho could appeal to customers wanting more natural salmon. However, smaller supply and higher costs would make it challenging for a national chain. Wild salmon also has variability in size, color and fat content.
Organic Atlantic Salmon
Organic farm-raised salmon offers a middle ground between wild and conventional farmed salmon. While less common, Longhorn may be able to source organic salmon through suppliers. It would enable them to promote a more premium, eco-friendly salmon option on their menu.
Smoked Salmon
Another way Longhorn could incorporate salmon is by offering appetizers with smoked salmon like toasted bagels or flatbreads with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Smoked salmon would add some salmon variety to the menu.
Conclusion
Longhorn Steakhouse uses Atlantic salmon for its grilled, blackened and pecan crusted salmon dishes. Farm-raised Atlantic salmon makes the most sense for a large chain needing affordable, consistent salmon in high volumes. While not the most exotic salmon variety, Atlantic salmon provides customers with a dependable fish option alongside Longhorn’s famous steaks. The salmon gives a healthier, omega-3-rich choice beyond just beef and chicken. For salmon lovers, Longhorn Steakhouse successfully incorporates this popular fish into their steakhouse fare.