How to Cook Salmon
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Salmon can be a difficult and daunting thing to cook, especially if you are new to cooking. You likely have many questions racing through your mind. Slow down, and get ready to cook more salmon.
There are many health benefits to salmon, but you should also learn not to fear cooking it because - done properly - it can be relatively straightforward to cook. In fact, you have a number of methods at your disposal. |
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Consider the highest quality, freshest salmon that works with your budget, and ask at your local grocery store if you have questions about what exactly is best.
You want to cook salmon to an internal temp of about 145 degrees Fahrenheit, but typically you check whether your salmon is done with a fork. You're looking for the moment when the salmon flakes easily at the thickest point of your salmon fillet.
You want to cook salmon to an internal temp of about 145 degrees Fahrenheit, but typically you check whether your salmon is done with a fork. You're looking for the moment when the salmon flakes easily at the thickest point of your salmon fillet.
Broiling
The first method we want to talk about is broiling, a method involving some of the least effort in this post. Start by preheating the broiler to high and placing your oven rack somewhere in the top third of your oven. You want the salmon to end up approximately 5 inches from the broiler coils.
Now put your salmon fillets on aluminum foil or on a baking sheet with parchment lining - which helps to mitigate sticking - and then season it to your taste with pepper, salt, herbs, garlic, mustard, or whatever else you'd like. Now broil the salmon for 5 to 8 minutes according to how done you want your fish.
Remember to check the fish for doneness by pressing against it with a fork. You want it to be flakey.
Now put your salmon fillets on aluminum foil or on a baking sheet with parchment lining - which helps to mitigate sticking - and then season it to your taste with pepper, salt, herbs, garlic, mustard, or whatever else you'd like. Now broil the salmon for 5 to 8 minutes according to how done you want your fish.
Remember to check the fish for doneness by pressing against it with a fork. You want it to be flakey.
Baking
Another relatively low-effort method for cooking salmon is baking. A baked large filet of salmon can really create a beautiful look for your dinner.
If you are baking salmon, take a large baking sheet and line it with aluminum foil. Then go ahead and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the salmon with the skin on the bottom, about 12 to 15 minutes. You want the salmon to end up opaque and pink. You can season as before, or mix things up with honey, thyme, lemon slices, or any number of other citruses or spices.
If you are baking salmon, take a large baking sheet and line it with aluminum foil. Then go ahead and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the salmon with the skin on the bottom, about 12 to 15 minutes. You want the salmon to end up opaque and pink. You can season as before, or mix things up with honey, thyme, lemon slices, or any number of other citruses or spices.
Grilling
Believe it or not, you can also prepare salmon by putting it directly on a grill. Again, start by seasoning your fish. Oil the grates of the grill and heat your grill to a medium-high heat. Place salmon on grill (skin-side down) and cook for approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Another way to tell is by checking that the bottom part of the salmon is opaque (the fish skin should also easily come off the grates). Now flip and cook about 4 to 6 more minutes.
Pan-Frying
Now on to pan-frying. This will result in a tasty crust on your salmon that you may have experienced at a decent restaurant.
Start with your skillet (non-stick or cast-iron) and coat the bottom with butter or your choice of oil. Then before placing the salmon in the skillet, place the skillet on your stovetop and heat it up. Now place the salmon skin up in the skillet and cook until the salmon can be naturally removed from the pan with your spatula, without any effort. This will take about 6 minutes. Now flip and cook for about 4 more minutes (the skin will get crispy).
Start with your skillet (non-stick or cast-iron) and coat the bottom with butter or your choice of oil. Then before placing the salmon in the skillet, place the skillet on your stovetop and heat it up. Now place the salmon skin up in the skillet and cook until the salmon can be naturally removed from the pan with your spatula, without any effort. This will take about 6 minutes. Now flip and cook for about 4 more minutes (the skin will get crispy).
Poaching
Start by seasoning your filet on both sides. Allow one cup of water plus one cup of white wine to come to a boil in your skillet. Now lower heat and reduce to a simmer, add your salmon, and cover. Cook approximately 10 minutes.
Poaching will ensure you end up with moist salmon.
Poaching will ensure you end up with moist salmon.