Salmon is a type of fish, and for a good reason – it is delicious, healthy, and easy to cook. In this article, we will teach you how to cook Salmon perfectly every time, regardless of the method you choose.
Searing
The most popular way to cook Salmon is to sear it in a hot pan. To do this, start by heating a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat until hot. Place the salmon fillets in the pan (skin-side down) and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip the fillets and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, or until cooked through. You will fall in love with the Pan-Seared Salmon.
Baking
Baking is one of the most simple ways to cook Salmon. Oven-Baked Salmon is a fine delight to enjoy.
If you do not like to stand over the stove, baking is a great option. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put some oil, sprinkle with salt & pepper and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
Poaching
Poaching is a healthy and low-fat way to cook Salmon. It is a gentle cooking method that uses simmering water or stock to cook food. The poaching liquid heats the food slowly and evenly, resulting in moist and tender results.
To poach Salmon, start by heating a cup of stock or water in a saucepan over medium heat or, to be precise, 140 degrees F. Add the Salmon, then cook for 3-4 minutes, or until cooked through.
If you like, you can add some aromatic vegetables (like onions, garlic, or ginger) to the pot for added flavor.
Grilling
Grilling can be defined as a cooking method that uses direct heat to cook food. The heat source is typically a flame or coals, which create intense heat that sears the surface of the food and results in a crispy exterior.
To grill Salmon, start by preheating your grill to medium to high heat. Then, place the salmon skin-side down on the grill and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until cooked through. You can also choose to wrap the Salmon in a foil and grill it for 10-15 minutes or until cooked through. Be sure to brush your Salmon with oil before grilling to help create a crispy crust.
Smoking
If you are feeling really adventurous, smoking salmon can be a lot of fun. Start by soaking wood in water for 30 minutes. Place the salmon fillets in a smoker and cook at 190 degrees F for 30-45 minutes or until cooked through.
If you have a smoker, smoking salmon can be a delicious way to prepare it.
Broiling
Broiling can be defined as a dry-heat cooking method in which food is cooked under high heat in an open flame or broiler. The heat sears the food surface, creating a crispy exterior while the interior remains moist and tender.
If you are looking for a slightly charred crust on your Salmon, broiling is the way to go. To broil Salmon, start by preheating your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, line a baking sheet with foil and place the salmon skin-side down on the sheet. Broil for 4-6 minutes, or until the Salmon reaches the desired level of doneness.
Sauté
Sautéing is a cooking technique that uses a small amount of oil or butter to cook food over medium-high heat. The food is stirred frequently, which allows it to cook evenly and prevents it from sticking to the pan.
To sauté Salmon, start by heating a tablespoon of oil or butter in a sizable skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon filets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
Sautéing Salmon is quick and easy—just make sure not to overcrowd the pan.
So there you have it! Some easy methods for cooking perfect Salmon every time. Whether you choose to broil, sauté, poach, or grill your Salmon, you can be sure that it will turn out moist and delicious. With so many different ways to prepare this healthy and versatile fish, there is no excuse not to add Salmon to your regular dinner rotation. Enjoy!
Which Salmon To Buy?
Buying Salmon can be a little confusing because there are so many different types of Salmon available. The most common types are King, Sockeye, Coho, and Chinook salmon. There is also Atlantic salmon, which is a farmed fish and is often cheaper than the wild-caught varieties. When you are buying Salmon, look for a piece that has a slightly pinkish hue and a moist-looking flesh. Avoid any pieces that have dry-looking flesh or are brown in color.
Rules For A Crispy Salmon Crust
Some rules to help you create a crispy, delicious crust on your Salmon, no matter the method you choose, are:
- Preheat your oven or grill to medium-high heat before cooking your Salmon. This will help ensure that your crust gets nice and crispy.
- Use a quality oil with a high smoke point, like avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil. This will help keep your Salmon from sticking to the pan or grill grates.
- Fillets must be placed skin-side down on a baking sheet or in a skillet when broiling. This will ensure that your Salmon gets nice and crispy on the top.
- Grill your Salmon over direct heat for a few minutes per side until it has a nice char on the outside.
- Combine some bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and dried herbs in a shallow dish. Dip the top of your salmon filet in the bread crumb mixture, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Do not overcrowd your pan or grill grates. If you have too much fish in one place, it will steam instead of searing, which will make for a soggy crust. Cook your Salmon in batches if needed. This will ensure that your Salmon fillets cook evenly and do not stick to the pan.
- Do not touch! Resist the continuous urge to flip or move your Salmon around while it is cooking. This will help prevent the crust from sticking to the pan or grill grates.
- Let your salmon rest for a few minutes after cooking. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure that your Salmon is nice and moist.
So there you have it! Cooking Salmon does not have to be intimidating–just follow these simple tips and methods to create a crispy, delicious crust on your fish every time.
A Few Salmon Recipes To Try
Here are a few recipes to start with, and once you get comfortable cooking salmon this way, you can experiment with your own variations.
1) Sautéed Salmon with Lemon and Dill
Ingredients:
1 lb. salmon fillet, skin on
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 lemon, sliced
¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a big oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until hot.
- Place the Salmon (skin side down), then cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from heat and add the lemon slices and dill. Season with some salt & pepper according to your taste.
- Move it to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until cooked through.
2) Garlic Butter Salmon
Ingredients:
1 lb. salmon fillet, skin on
1 tbsp. butter
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a slightly big oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat until hot.
- Place the Salmon (skin side down), then cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from heat and add garlic and parsley. Season with salt & pepper according to taste.
- Move it to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until cooked through.
3) Honey Glazed Salmon
Ingredients:
1 lb. salmon fillet, skin on
1 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt & pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In an oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, boil the olive oil over medium to high heat until hot.
- Place the Salmon (skin side down), then cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove and add the honey and garlic—season with some salt & pepper to taste.
- Move it to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until cooked through.
4) Blackened Salmon
Ingredients:
1 lb. salmon fillet, skin on
1 tbsp. blackening seasoning (or any other spicy seasoning of your choice)
2 tbsp. olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a spacious oven-safe skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium to high heat until hot.
- Place the Salmon (skin side down), then cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from heat and coat with blackening seasoning.
- Move it to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until cooked through.
Salmon is a nutrient-rich fish that is perfect for a healthy diet. It is very low in calories and high in protein, as well as vitamins B6 and B12, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, Salmon tastes amazing no matter how you cook it! So go ahead and try one of these recipes today—you will not be disappointed.
Conclusion
There are various ways to cook Salmon, and you just need to find the method that works best for you. With a little practice, cooking Salmon will become easy, and you will be able to make this dish with little effort. Be it grilling, baking, searing, or poaching. Salmon always turns out delicious. Follow these tips to cook perfect Salmon every time. And hey, if you are wondering what recipe to start with, we just shared some delicious recipes towards the end of this article. These are surely a good start.
So do not forget to add this healthy and tasty fish to your menu today!
