What Side Do You Grill Salmon On First
Grill the salmon first skin side down. Whichever variety of salmon you choose, choose a filet or salmon cut with the skin on. The salmon skin provides a layer of safety between the grill grates and the fishs flesh as it cooks.
Keep a lid on it. Maintain a more consistent cooking temperature with the grill lid covering the fish as it cooks, creating the same environment as an oven.
Why Make Grilled Salmon
When it comes to picking a protein, we know you have choices. You can make grilled chicken, grilled steak, grilled pork, etc. But, grilled salmon trumps them all! Heres why:
Quick: this grilled salmon recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Easy Prep: no fancy gadgets or ingredients are needed for this grilled salmon recipe.
Healthy: salmon is high protein and packed with omega-3 fatty acids making it a healthy protein option.
Best Leftovers: leftover salmon is so delicious. Try our yummy salmon patties to mix things up on day 2.
Grilled Salmon Steaks Italian
I wanted to get more fish in our diet, so I experimented with different flavorings for salmon steaks. This combination seemed to always be especially delicious with a risotto and vegetable side.
Provided by Wolfman’s Bro
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Serving Up Savory Salmon
Salmon is already delicious and packed to the brim with flavor all on its own. But it can also be served up in all kinds of delectable ways and with all kinds of yummy sides! Maybe you and your family have a few favorite recipes in mind already, but here are a few more salmon serving ideas to consider:
- Serve alongside seasoned grilled veggies like zucchini, grill-roasted potatoes, or green beans.
- On top of leafy green salads or rice pilaf.
- With a cool pasta salad or a warm, lemon-based pasta dish.
- Top with spinach dip to make an easy and delectable Salmon Florentine.
- Or serve with a bowl of your favorite rice.
Grilled salmon steak, for obvious reasons, is one of the first recipes I think of when it starts getting warm outside. I know it will soon be time to start cooking outdoors and I want to prepare a meal as fresh as the summer air but with the ease of a summertime breeze. These salmon steaks are fresh, flavorful, and light- making them one of the perfect meals for celebrating the easy-going summertime.
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!
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Best Salmon For Grilling
There are over seven types of salmon that you would likely buy from the store. Some are in short supply, however, and may even be considered a delicacy.
While the names for each type vary , all are appropriate for grilling:
- Coho Salmon: Also known as Silver Salmon, it is a deep red fish with a mild flavor.
- Pink Salmon: This fish is the type you often find in the canned goods aisle. It is smaller, lower in fat, and also goes by Humpback Salmon.
- Sockeye Salmon: This fish is red-skinned, firm, and has a stronger flavor. It is higher in fat than most other varieties.
- Chum Salmon: Dont let the name fool you. While this fish is lean and can dry out while cooking, it has excellent flavor. Its also called Keta or Dog Salmon.
- King Salmon: This giant fish is full of fat and flavor. You can also find it under the name Chinook Salmon.
- Atlantic Salmon: While fishing this Atlantic-born fish is prohibited, its often farm-raised for commercial sale which means it may be higher in PCBs. It is also called the Salmo Salar.
- Masu Salmon : You wont find this fish native to the U.S., and getting it may be difficult. Its considered an imported delicacy with a high fat content.
Which of these can you grill successfully? The higher the fat content, the more forgiving the fish will be. You can cook it slightly longer without the fear of it drying out.
How To Season Your Salmon
The great thing about BBQ salmon is that its going to taste amazing even with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper. But, if you want to be more creative with your flavorings, you can also try the following savory seasoning combinations that are sure to make your mouth water.
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Lemon Salmon: lemon, kosher salt, pepper, butter.
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Cilantro Lime Salmon: chopped cilantro, lime, kosher salt, pepper, honey, chopped cloves.
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Spicy Sriracha-Glazed Salmon: sriracha, lemon juice, honey.
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Soy-Glazed Salmon: soy sauce, honey, mustard, and lemon juice.
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Salmon with Homemade Barbecue Sauce: lemon, garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, water, and olive oil.
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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.
Helpful Tips For Grilling Salmon Fillets
Weve talked about how to grill salmon steaks, but we also want to give you some pointers to help you make the perfect grilled salmon steak every time:
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What To Serve With Salmon
When the weather is warm, theres nothing like a piece of perfect salmon cooked on the grill with a drizzle of tahini green goddess sauce and a fresh salad .
But since youre firing up the grill anyway, why not grill some vegetables?! And if you need something starchy to serve along, try my potato salad or serve your salmon over a bed of bulgur wheat.
Does Salmon Steak Have Bones
Fillets have fewer of those smaller pin-like bones. When buying steaks I recommend having the store fishmonger remove the bone if you prefer a boneless steak. Removing the bone actually allows you to roll the steak into almost a ball for easier more even cooking. If you dont have the luxury or prefer to do it yourself then see this video on how to remove the bones. Note I leave the big bone in tact and only remove the thin small ones.
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Prep The Fresh Salmon
Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and place the steaks on paper towels. Use another paper towel to dry the top of each steak off. Then, brush each steak with a bit of olive oil or unsalted butter to keep it from sticking on the grill. Now is the time to toss some salt, pepper, and your other choices of seasoning onto both sides of each salmon steak.
How To Cook Salmon Steak
Salmon Steak v. Salmon Fillet
A fish steak is cut crosswise , cutting through the bone, whereas a fillet is cut lengthwise parallel to the bone.
Can you buy boneless salmon steaks?
Depending on your fishmonger, yes. But as a general rule, salmon steaks have more bones than fillets.
How do you cook salmon steaks?
You can pan fry, bake, or grill salmon steaks. We love pan-frying them in a skillet because they take only 10 minutes to cook.
salmon steaks
Kosher salt
crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly chopped parsley, for serving
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Essential Tools We Recommend
For starters, youll need to decide the right type of grill for your cooking stylegas or charcoal. You cant go wrong with the Napoleon 18-inch Charcoal Kettle grill if cooking over briquettes or lump charcoal is in your future. If you decided to go for gas grills, look to the Weber Spirit II E-310. Short on patio space? Go portable with the Weber Q 1200 portable gas grill.
Its also helpful to have a thin, long-handled spatula and a pair of long grill tongs for greasing the grill grates.
How Prep Salmon For The Grill
For even cooking, you’ll want to let the salmon come to room temperature for 20 minutes before grilling.
Set the salmon on a paper towel-lined pan and pat dry. A dry surface speeds up the searing process and prevents sticking. If it’s marinated, blot off as much marinade as possible before grilling.
Right before placing it on the grill, lightly rub the salmon with olive oil on both sides, and sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Always season fish just before grilling to avoid moisture loss and flare-ups.
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How To Store And Reheat Salmon Steaks
- For storing: If youve got some leftover salmon steak, it will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. You can store it whole, or flake it to use in other recipes.
- How to freeze: Make sure your salmon is completely cool before freezing. Then top it on parchment paper in a storage container to prevent it from sticking to the sides.
- How to reheat: Reheating salmon can be tricky since its already cooked. So the key here is to reheat it low and slow, either in the microwave or oven, to prevent it from drying out. And if its frozen, make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What To Serve With Grilled Salmon
Since salmon is a meatier fish, many people pair it with a lighter side such as a salad, rice pilaf, or a steamed veggie. Salmon is particularly healthy, making it a guilt-free way to cook on the grill that goes well with many options.
Side dish ideas include grilled mango coleslaw, smoked 3-bean salad, and roasted sheet pan vegetables.
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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.
Tips For Grilling Salmon Steaks
- Dont remove the big bone, but you can ask your fishmonger at your local market to help remove the smaller pin bones.
- Make sure to pat the salmon steak completely dry before oiling and grilling. If theres additional moisture, it will likely stick to the grill.
- Salmon steak will continue to cook as it cools, so remove it a smidge before its about done.
- The cook time will depend on how thick your fillet is and how well-done you like your fish. So just keep an eye on it as it grills, because it does cook fast!
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How To Prepare Salmon For The Grill
Salmon is typically sold ready to cook, but if you bought the fish from a fresh market or ordered it through some of the online suppliers, your salmon may come with skin and pin bones.
The pin bones can be found by running your fingers along the surface of the fish. Youll feel tiny little bones sticking up that you can pull out using a pair of pliers or a special pin-bone puller found at a specialty kitchen store.
Your salmon may have skin on it, which youll want to leave on if you’re going to grill. The skin makes it easier to hold the fish together, and it adds some moisture to it as well. If your salmon didn’t come with skin, you can remove it, but you’ll need to cook it with extra reinforcement in the next steps.
Do not rinse salmon. As the USDA cautions, washing raw fish could lead to cross-contamination across your kitchen appliances and surfaces, spreading bacteria. You can pat it dry with a paper towel.
Make The Grill Hot For Grilled Salmon
Preheat the grill. Once the coals are in place, top with the lid to preheat the grill grates, similar to preheating an oven. This takes about 10 minutes.
How long will charcoal briquettes last? Plan on a batch of 80 to 100 briquettes to last about an hour, adding more briquettes as needed to increase the heat as you cook.
MY HUSBANDS TIP: Carefully place your hand 3-4 inches above the grill grates. When you can hold your hand in place for one-one thousand counts, the grill is the right temperature to start grilling. Be very careful, you never want to touch a grate to see if its hot! Or, be like me and just look at the temperature gauge on the lid, looking for it to read 450°F.
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How To Grill Blackened Salmon
The goal is to have a high heat and then to sear both sides. Starting with the flesh side, and finishing on the skin side until the salmon reaches your desired doneness.
Direct Heat is the best way to grill salmon.
You can also visit our full run-down on how to grill salmon.
