A Simple Salmon Supper
As for accompaniments to the salmon, I admit to being a purist. No honey-mustard marinades or mango salsas allowed when the fish is this good. Instead, I reach for one of these simple garnishes:
- grilled lemon slices
- any flavored butter, like this nettle butter to melt on top
- any herb sauce, like this garlic scape pesto or chermoula to dollop on top
- a flavorful side dish, such as this roasted potatoes in vinaigrette
And of course, eat every bite with some of that crispy skin!
To make dinner even easier, grill some vegetables tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper. Asparagus, sliced zucchini, eggplant, red peppers, portabella mushrooms, carrots or even lettuce.
When wild grilled salmon is on the menu, there isnt much else you need.
Just add some good friends, a chilled bottle of wine and enjoy this easy meal in your own great outdoors. Summer is on.
- 1mediumlemon, sliced
How To Grill Salmon On A Gas Grill
Whats better than enjoying summertime with your family and friends? Youve got the ideal weather, the best company, and a grand feast of the tastiest grilled delicacies. Every American waits eagerly for summer because of how fun it is.
With a gas grill at their disposal, people can cook up a lot of mouthwatering recipes. If everything goes according to plan and the food is cooked with care, you will have all your neighbors at your door begging to join the barbecue.
However, the key to having great food at a cookout is using the grill properly for cooking, leaving nothing undercooked or raw. Grilling food is a very specific skill that goes beyond any recipe the work that goes before you grill the food adds to the taste of the food.
Of the many foods commonly found at backyard cookouts, grilled salmons are considered the healthiest. A perfect delicacy for all fish lovers, salmon is rich in omega 3. This constitutes essential fatty acids, making it a healthy choice for people who have high cholesterol or other heart problems.
Depending on the preference of the individual, salmon can be smoked, grilled, baked, poached, or fried. Regardless of the method you choose, the result will be a delicious meal that satisfies the taste buds of your guests.
How To Prevent Salmon From Sticking To The Grill
There are a few things you can do to prevent the salmon from sticking:
- Preheat the grill well. A hot grill will create a sear on the salmon flesh so that you can flip it without tearing.
- Keep your grill clean. Always scrape down and keep your grill clean so that what your cooking doesnt stick to burnt on food.
- Oil the salmon well. Just like if youre cooking salmon in a pan, youll want to put plenty of the oil on the salmon.
- Cook skin side down first. Its easier to flip the skin side of the salmon and get the spatula in between.
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How To Cook The Perfect Salmon In The Oven
I absolutely love cooking salmon in the oven so that its moist, flavorful and stays together well. Heres exactly how to bake this lemon garlic salmon so it comes out perfectly every time:
As a rule of thumb, its best to undercook rather than overcook your salmon so that it does not dry out.
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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Best Smoked Salmon On Pellet Grill
Last Modified: October 24, 2021 – Jeri – This site uses cookies – See the privacy policy linked in my footer – This post may contain affiliate links – This blog generates income via ads
This smoked salmon recipe turns an ordinary piece of fish into an extraordinary, delectable, melt-in-your-mouth, flavorful morsel that will become a new favorite with just your first bite. What is really amazing is how easy it ishardly any prep and utter deliciousness. I mean, seriously. It is so unbelievably easy!
For a quick overview of the recipe, check out my web story.
We absolutely love salmon around here. Plus, it is incredibly healthy for you. It is very low in saturated fat and a good source of protein. It’s also one of the best sources of vitamin B12, potassium, and other nutrients like iron and vitamin D.
I also love how quick and easy this salmon is to cook up on a wood pellet grill. You mix the rub, put it on the salmon, and place it on the grill. Set the temperature, set the timer, and that’s it! Super easy!
The Simplest Way To Make Crispy
Wild salmon is precious. While Ive known that in the abstract, its all hitting home while reading Langdon Cooks acclaimed new book Upstream.
Generally Im delighted to find flash-frozen wild salmon at a local grocer. But last week while vacationing on Vashon Island, I indulged in fresh sockeye salmon filleted to order.
Then, when I returned home, the headline on our local newspaper read, Chinook Salmon Harvest Cancelled this Year.
Precious has a taste. The fish we ate around the fire that night on Vashon was achingly good. Cooked just to succulent doneness with a crispy skin.
This, in itself, is a rare thing.
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Everything Youll Need To Make Lemon Garlic Salmon
The best part about this delicious lemon garlic salmon recipe is how such simple ingredients can create such amazing flavors. Heres everything youll need to make it:
- Wild or Farmed Salmon: 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, while on the other hand wild salmon can be a little more spendy, but is leaner, more pink, and higher in minerals such zinc and iron. Both are delicious!
- Butter: using a fat in the lemon honey garlic marinade is key. I love the savory flavor that butter adds.
- Sweetener: as I mentioned, I love adding a little sweetness to glazes and marinades. In this recipe I used honey, but you can use maple syrup instead if you prefer.
- Zing: yes, were adding some zing with the acidity from fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and a little tang from grainy dijon mustard. This takes it to the next level, trust me!
- Seasonings: youll also mix in garlic and plenty of salt and pepper.
Making This Recipe In Advance
Make ahead: You can leave the fillets covered, in the refrigerator before grilling.
Storing: Allow the grilled salmon to cool down, then refrigerate, covered, for up to 4 days. The leftovers are great for enjoying cold in a salad, sandwich, or wrap!
Freeze: Transfer the salmon to a freezer-safe airtight container and store for up to 3 months. Try to do this within a couple of hours of cooking them to prevent bacteria growth. Thaw in the refrigerator before re-serving.
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Does Salmon Take Longer In Foil
Yes, and for some reason. Salmon in foil needs more time to cook because, in this case, your fish cooks over indirect infrared heat. Aluminum foil doesnt let most of the convectional heat pass through. As a result of indirect infrared cooking, your salmons sealed juices dont escape and are retained in the fillets. Salmon is more yummy and delectable when cooked in foil.
Salmon Steak Recipe: How To Make The Perfect Grilled Salmon Steak
Not sure how to grill salmon steaks without ruining them? Dont worry were going to walk you through the process of making salmon on the grill from start to finish. Its not as complicated as you might think, but knowing the best techniques will help you get that perfect grilled salmon look and flavor.
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Why I Love This Grilled Salmon Recipe
This is a recipe that comes from Ina Garten. I saw it on Food Network a few years ago and finally got around to making it today.
The recipe had 752 reviews and it came in at 4.8 stars and for good reason, this grilled salmon fillet is unbelievably delicious! Its amazing what 5 ingredients and 5 minutes prep can do.
It has a well rounded flavor, it had just the right amount of saltiness and depth , and it had just enough tang and spice from the vinegar and mustard seed .
The only thing I changed was to take the olive oil down 2 tsp to 1/3 cup because its easier to measure vs. 6 Tbsp. Then I upped the garlic three times the original amount because I love garlic.
Dont do what I did and wait years to make this recipe. Its is one of those recipes that youll use time and time again and its easy enough to memorize. Aaaaand most importantly everyone loves it!
My brother doesnt even like salmon and he took one bite then asked for the rest of it! My kids loved it too. Win win.
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 Is The Best Salmon For Smoking
Larger pieces of salmon with a high oil content will be more flavorful and more tender when smoked.
- Chinook salmon: This has a high oil content and is one of the largest salmon.
- Sockeye salmon: This also has a high oil content but has a firmer texture than Chinook.
- Coho: This is lower in fat but is also super delicious. This is my husband’s all-time favorite.
Important Points To Remember
Remember, preparing the best grilled salmon is easier said than done. Slight carelessness can result in a salmon that is undercooked and not as good as the dish can be. Before you go about cooking a salmon, keep a few essential tips in mind.
- Avoid overcooking the salmon
- Frequent turning will tear the flesh
- Dont forget to purchase salmon with its skin on
Considering the factors mentioned above will help you in ensuring that the salmon is well-cooked and ready for consumption.
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Getting The Salmon Ready
While the gas grill is being prepared, brush the salmon fillets with your favorite dry rub or marinade. While marinating the pieces, you need to be wary of the time. Marinating the salmon long enough causes the fillet to lose its firmness and flavor.
Before you start grilling, estimate the cooking time for each fillet, a fillet that is a half-inch thick requires about 4 minutes of cooking i.e. 2 minutes of cooking per side.
Which Type Of Salmon Is Best For Grilling
A typical serving of salmon is 6 to 8 ounces per person. Look for steaks or center-cut, skin-on fillets. Center-cut pieces are thicker and more uniform, so they cook evenly. The skin will hold the fish together and protect it from drying out or sticking to the grill. It’s easy to remove after grilling if you don’t want to eat it.
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Make Sure Salmon Is Coated With Oil
It may be intuitive to coat your grill grates with oil, but its actually not necessary and much more effective to have your fish covered in oil instead.
The salmon marinade I use has plenty of oil and is perfect for this purpose, but if youre not marinating, be sure to coat your fish generously in oil before grilling.
What Is Indirect Heat Grilling
Most often at cookouts, people use direct heat grilling. Thats when you cook food right over the flames. But salmon is delicate and can very quickly dry out and overcook when its grilled that way. Indirect heat grilling to the rescue!
Indirect heat grilling is when you have flames on only one side of the grill and lay the food on the opposite side, which is cooler. Then close the lid. For much-loved barbecue favorites like ribs and beef brisket, hours of grilling low and slow over indirect heat transforms tough cuts of meat into something succulent.
Wait, low and slow salmon? Dont worry when you use indirect heat grilling for salmon, it takes mere minutes, not hours. The cook time for five-ounce fillets is 5 to 12 minutes, depending on how thick they are.
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Cooking Time For Salmon On The Grill
Grill the salmon skin side for around 6-8 minutes depending on your thickness.
Using a flat spatula , flip the salmon to cook the flesh side on the cooler cooking zone afterward.
If the salmon WON’T BUDGE from the grill, wait an additional 1-2 minutes BEFORE attempting to flip again.
Once flipped, let your salmon cook for an additional 2-4 minutes depending on your recipe and how well-done you want your salmon.
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.
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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.
Do You Have To Flip Salmon On The Grill
No, you dont have to flip the salmon if you are concerned about it sticking. Well seasoned grates cook fish really well without sticking, but if you have unseasoned grates or are concerned, simply cook the salmon skin side down without flipping. You wont get those beautiful grill marks, but the salmon will be able to cook through all the way with the lid of the grill closed.
If you like this recipe, check out these other great salmon recipes:
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How To Reheat Salmon On The Grill
Last but certainly not least you can use the grill to heat your favorite fish. Since your salmon is already cooked, it might be prone to breaking apart.
What Is The Best Salmon To Buy For Grilling
When it comes to buying salmon specially for grilling I recommend a few things:
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