The Easiest Way To Grill Salmon Is This Foil Packet Method
- Summary: · Start by placing the salmon skin side down on a large piece of foil. You need enough foil to fold the sides over to make a packet that keeps all
- Matching search results: The first step to making great grilled salmon is to make sure you purchase a salmon fillet with the skin on one side. There is a slim layer of fat between the meat and skin that crisps up nicely on the grill. It also acts as a handy binder, keeping
Place Half Of The Herbs And Citrus On The Foil
- Most often, I do a simple grilled salmon: a few sprigs of herbs and lemon slices. I like dill, but you can use any mix of fresh herbs and citrus that you like.
- If you use a stronger herb like rosemary or dill, be more sparing on the herbs. Herbs like parsley or cilantro are more delicate, so you can be more generous.
- For citrus, use lemon, lime, or orange . Of these, lime is the strongest.
- Of course, you dont have to use lemon and herbsyou can use salmon thats rested in your favorite marinade, or a different blend of herbs and seasonings.
Grilled Salmon Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video to make this Grilled Salmon Recipe below that I hope will help to make a perfect dish easily at home.
Grilled Salmon Video
Amount Per Serving
Calories 495Total Fat 30gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat0gUnsaturated Fat 22gCholesterol 143mgSodium 430mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 50g
Disclaimer: Nutrition information comes from third-party apps and calculators. The information is purely an estimate and provided for information purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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What Is The Best Way To Cook Salmon Fillets
Salmon is a fatty fish that can be cooked in many different ways. The best way to cook salmon fillets depends on the type of salmon, the thickness of the fillet, and how you want it to taste.
Here are four methods for cooking salmon fillets:
-Broiling: Broil salmon fillets over direct heat, making sure they do not overcook or they will become dry and rubbery. Placethem skin side down if you want them to stay moist.
-Grilling: Grill salmon on a medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side, or until slightly pink in the center.
-Pan frying: Pan fry salmon fillets over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side, or until lightly browned and crispy.
How To Marinate Salmon
It isnt necessary to marinate salmon before grilling it, but doing so can impart extra flavor and moisture to your finished fish. And you dont have to let your salmon marinate for long just 10 minutes will do. Make a simple marinade from a fat and acid in a 3:1 ratio, then add salt and an aromatic. We love Ina Gartens Asian Grilled Salmon, which has hundreds of five-star reviews and leans on a marinade made from olive oil , Dijon mustard , soy sauce and garlic . Drizzle the marinade on the salmon while you preheat the grill.
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What Type Of Salmon Is Best For Cooking
Youll need 1 pound of salmon in this recipe. You can choose wild or farmed, its up to you.
- Farm-raised salmon tends to be milder in flavor and more fatty/buttery in texture
- Wild salmon can be a little more spendy but is leaner, pinker, and higher in minerals such zinc and iron. Both are delicious!
Cuts Of Salmon To Grill
- Whole Salmon Filets- are a whole side of salmon, deboned, typically with the skin left on. The best way to grill these is to oil, salt and pepper the skin side really well, and grill on a greased grill with the skin side down so it crisps up. The skin can be eaten and is actually one of my favorite parts, if crispy. The flesh can be treated with a dry rub or marinade. Do not marinate the skin side, or your skin will get soggy. Typically, when grilling a whole filet, only grill the skin side, unless you are very adept at flipping and have two extra large metal spatulas. Try adding wood chips to infuse the salmon for even more flavor.
- Cut Salmon Filets- are smaller cuts of one side of the salmon. These can be grilled with the skin removed or left on. Both sides of the salmon can be grilled, unless very thin, then I usually just grill the skin side.
- Salmon Steaks are slices of the salmon straight through both sides of the salmon, right through the backbone, typically an inch thick, with the skin on and bone in. Both sides of the salmon can be grilled.
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Setting Up Your Grill For Success
Before youre ready to start grilling, you should know how to prepare your grill to cook the very best salmon it can. You can use either a charcoal or gas grill, but its challenging to replicate the smoky flavor you get when you grill salmon on a charcoal grill. Still, its your choice.
Before starting, read this article on the most common grilling mistakes to avoid.
Whatever grill you choose, youll want to prep the grill by making sure the grates are cleaned well from your last grilling adventure. Then, add some olive oil to the grates to prevent sticking. You can even salt and pepper them for seasoning if youd like. Then, fire up the grill and allow it to reach at least 450 degrees for a couple of minutes before putting your salmon on the grates.
Some people choose to cook salmon on a wood plank to both get extra flavor infused into the fish and keep it up off the grates to avoid sticking. This isnt necessary, especially if you season the fish well before cooking and oil your grates and salmon. However, if you have an old grill with worn-down grates that have become nearly impossible to keep clean, it might be best to try a cedar plank salmon or a salmon in foil recipe, both of which well talk more about below.
Can I Make Salmon Ahead Salmon
The salmon should only be marinated for 30-45 minutes then grilled right away. If you want to prep the recipe in advance, you can:
- Prep salmon: add the salmon to the lightly greased foil, seal and store in the refrigerator.
- Prep marinade: whisk the marinade ingredients together and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator WITHOUT the salmon for up to 3 days.
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Prep The Grill For Salmon
Make sure your grill is preheated before you put your salmon on it. High heat will help caramelize the fish and add smoky flavor as well as make attractive grill marks. A hot grill will also make for quick cooking so your salmon doesn’t dry out, and will prevent the fish from sticking to the grates.
To further ensure non-stick grilling, give your grates a good scraping with a grill brush to remove any debris from the last cookout, and finish it off with a light swipe of vegetable oil. See Top Tips for Grilling to brush up on your grilling know-how.
Salmon Grilling Tips And Techniques
Grilling fish may be challenging, but once you master it, you wont want to cook salmon and other fish any other way. Not only do you get to enjoy smoky, chargrilled flavor you can only get from grilling, you keep the smell and the mess outside.
A clean, lightly oiled grill grate is especially important when grilling fish. Rub the grate with a thin layer of oil and heat the grill to 400° to 500°F. A properly heated grill will help keep the fish from sticking to the grate and falling apart while cooking. Wait for your grill to preheat all the way to your target temperature before loading your salmon.
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Tips For The Best Grilled Salmon Recipe
- Keep a close eye on the salmon while it cooks, since the total cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your fillet, as well as the temperature of your grill. You’ll know that the fish is done when the flesh flakes easily with a fork. You don’t want to overcook it or the salmon will become dry.
- While the FDA recommends cooking fish to 145°F, for a flakier, more moist and tender salmon filet, many chefs find that it’s best enjoyed when it’s cooked to medium 125°F. We don’t usually use a thermometer, but instead look to see that the texture of the fillet flakes easily with a fork and the inside changes from translucent to opaque .
- Grilling the salmon over medium heat gives it that delicious, charred exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender.
- Leave the skin on the salmon when grilling. This adds flavor and moisture, and helps hold the fillets together. It will peel off easily before serving.
How To Keep Salmon From Sticking To The Grill
First make sure your grill is very clean. Scrape down the grill grates thoroughly with a grill brush. Then oil the grill grates very well. Drizzle some vegetable oil on a clean paper towel or dip a paper towel into a little bowl of oil. Use your grilling tongs to rub the oiled paper towel over the grill grates until they are shiny. If you are using a grill basket or grill grate , oil that as well.
Also, lightly oil the salmon itself before grilling it! If the salmon is in an oil or mayo-based marinade, that serves the same purpose. Otherwise, brush the salmon with a nice coating of oil. You can use olive oil or vegetable oil, whichever works best with the flavors of the fish recipe. Vegetable oil is more neutral, and olive oil works well with any Mediterranean style fish dish. Mayonnaise is another option it is neutral in flavor, and you wont be able to detect it once the fish is cooked.
Salmon firms up enough that you might be able to use tongs to turn the filets. If the fish releases from the grill easily and you can flip it with tongs instead of a spatula, you can probably get a nice and clean surface, without tearing the fish. But a flat wide spatula and a steady sure hand can also work.
I also like to use two spatulas for slipping fish. I use one to lift up the edge a bit, and then slide the second one underneath, which allows for a smother motion, and prevents tearing the bottom of the fish.
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Herbs And Spices That Pair Well With Grilled Salmon
Salmon has a flavor all its own thats intensified on the grill. Still, tossing on a few herbs and spices can never hurt! Like most meats, grilled salmon gets even more flavorful with a little black pepper and salt added to both sides. Minced fresh ginger and garlic are also delicious choices depending on your recipe.
What other tasty additions can you sprinkle on salmon before you cook it? Try:
What Temperature Is Grilled Salmon Done
How to tell when grilled salmon is done. Grilled fish is cooked when it is 145°F, but remember about carry-over cooking, where food will continue to cook once youve pulled it from the grill or oven. To ensure your fish isnt overcooked, transfer it from the grill when it is 125°-130°F, then let it rest for a few minutes before stripping away the skin and serving.
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Sauce And Other Ingredients That Pair Well With Grilled Salmon
When it comes to a sauce for salmon, light and buttery is usually best. While a rich, creamy sauce can overwhelm your dish, a buttery, thin sauce can elevate it just enough for delicious flavor without outshining the salmon.
Think unsalted butter mixed with a little minced garlic or a sweet brown sugar and honey sauce drizzled over your salmon steaks. Honey mustard drizzle, lemon butter sauce, or a spicy lime chipotle sauce are perfect choices for grilled salmon steak.
More Easy Salmon Recipes To Try
- Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Prepare the Salmon:
- Rub each piece of salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with house seasoning, to taste .
Grill the Salmon:
- Heat coals, gas grill, or grill pan to medium heat. Place salmon on the grill. Cover and grill over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side . The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
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What Is Salmon In Foil
Salmon in foil is essentially a large-scale version of salmon en papillote, or salmon steamed in a parchment paper packet but in foil! This classically French method of cooking salmon in a packet boasts many benefits which make for an easy summer meal: the fish is super easy to grill, cooks evenly, and cleanup is a breeze, just to name a few. Here are more reasons to love salmon in foil:
How Long Does It Take Salmon To Cook At 350
Cooking salmon can be tricky, but there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your meal comes out perfectly. One important thing to keep in mind is that salmon cooks quickly and easily at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The general rule of thumb is that it takes about 12-15 minutes per pound for
salmon to cook through. However, this time will vary depending on the thickness of the fish and how hot your oven is. Ultimately, just make sure that your salmon is cooked through before removing it from the oven so that it remains juicy and flavorful.
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How To Master The Charcoal Grill
Gas grills are popular for their convenience and ease in heat control, but a charcoal grill is where youll really find that smokey flavor and aroma that makes the neighbors noses twitch with envy, wishing they were invited over for dinner.
Setting the standard, Webers kettle BBQ grills have come a long way from the classic Weber. With a heavy duty steel cart, side table, and propane starter, our Weber Performer Premium Charcoal Grill also comes with a built in thermometer, LCD timer and a handy bin attached underneath the cart to keep charcoal within reach but out of the elements.
What To Serve With Grilled Salmon In Foil
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms. Grilled mushrooms are a delicious, easy side dish that offers a meaty flavor. Try my Grilled Portobello Mushrooms recipe.
- Grilled Sweet Potato Fries. Serve your Grilled Salmon in Foil with these Grilled Sweet Potato Fries for a fun and easy summer dinner!
- Grilled Asparagus. Most often, we do Grilled Salmon in Foil with asparagus. You can cook it right alongside the salmon. See this Grilled Asparagus for a recipe.
- Broccoli. Grilled Broccoli and Roasted Broccoli are stellar ways to make it.
- Carbohydrates. Serve your Grilled Salmon in Foil on top of a bed of rice like Lemon Rice, alongside Healthy Potato Salad or Grilled Potatoes, or with Grilled Corn.
- Roasted Vegetables. Roast a hearty side dish of vegetables in the oven to serve with your Grilled Salmon in Foil. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic and Roasted Zucchini would all pair nicely. Or a a mix of Oven Roasted Vegetables.
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How Do You Know When Grilled Salmon Is Cooked
There are a few ways to tell if your salmon is fully cooked or not, and once you get the hang of cooking and grilling salmon youll become more and more comfortable with judging it based on the look.
As I mentioned, its better to undercook rather than overcook your salmon, and remember that it will continue to cook as it rests after you grill it!
How To Make Grilled Salmon Easy And Perfect Every Time
While you can grill salmon without foil , I find that the best way to grill a fish is with a foil packet.
- Using foil to make a packet around the salmon keeps the salmon moist when grilling. It ensures the salmon turns out perfectly tender and flaky, not dry.
- With the foil method, you also dont need to worry about the salmon falling apart or sticking to the grill grates.
Avoid sad, stuck-on, dry salmon: use foil to grill!
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How To Make The Best Grilled Salmon
Follow these easy grilling tips for THE BEST, easy grilled salmon recipe thats about to become your new favorite healthy summertime dinner.
This recipe is brought to you by Weber Grills
There may not be another summertime recipe that hits our grill more often than this one, and that alone has made my husband the master of his domaine: cooking salmon on the grill.
My main man GDawg has years of experience perfecting the recipe for grilling a simple, bare-bones salmon. Although to be honest, it isnt as much a recipe as it is method. Either which way, this salmon truly is the best because its easy, fast, healthy and flavorful.
No matter what skill level of griller you claim to be, my mans tips make it easy to take command of the charcoal and serve up a moist and silky salmon dinner that wont turn chalky and overcooked or leave half your fillet stuck to the grill.
Heres how he does it.
