What’s The Best Way To Grill Salmon

Optional Toppings For Salmon

Grilled Salmon with Veggies on the Blackstone Flat-Top Griddle

Now that you know how to grill salmon, you can enjoy it on its own or try one of these toppings if you want to take it up a notch:

  • Hollandaise sauce This creamy sauce is buttery and citrusy and not just for brunch! This one is made easy in the blender.
  • Creamy Avocado Salsa Youll get your dose of healthy fats with this creamy salsa. Its a fresh and zesty topping.
  • Pesto Sauce Pesto is delicious on everything. Drizzle a bit on the salmon and finish it with a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • Lemon Garlic Aioli Serve a dollop of this garlicky aioli over the salmon if you love lemon and garlic.
  • Lemon Butter Sauce For Fish If you prefer a lemon butter sauce, this one is made for fish. Super easy, too.

Steaks Fillets And Other Cuts

In addition to a wide variety of salmon available, there are many different options when it comes to cuts of this versatile fish.

Fillet: A fillet is the meaty part of the fish taken from the side of the salmon. This cut usually has the skin and bones removed, but they may still have some tiny bones.

Steak: A steak is a thick cross-section cut around the fish and across the spine. Usually one-half to one-inch thick steak cuts are available, either with skin or scaled with skin removed.

Supreme Cut: Considered the best and choicest cut of fish, the supreme cut is a slice of fish with all bones removed thats cut on a slant from the fillet.

Butterfly or Cutlet: The side of the fish is sliced from behind the head, around the belly and tapered toward the tail on both sides of the fish keeping the flesh over the tail connected, producing a double fillet.

Whole Fish: When grilling whole salmon, remove the fins, tail and internal organs. Make several angled cuts or slits into the salmon along both sides without cutting all the way through. Salt and season the inside and outside, including the slits on the sides.

Dressed and Pan-Dressed: A dressed fish is a whole fish that has been scaled and gutted of all internal organs. A pan-dressed fish also has its fins, tail and head removed.

Why Use Danish Creamery Butter

My husband and I both LOVE Danish Creamery Butter! Butter is all about flavor and luxurious creaminess and no one does that better than Danish Creamery you can literally taste the velvety, rich difference!

Danish Creamery butter is made with high quality cream from pasture-raised cows since 1895. Their European Style Butter boasts an 85% butterfat making it a dream in sauces, baking, or even just to spread on toast.

Add Danish Creamery Butter to this grilled salmon in foil recipe and instantly elevate your cooking!

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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.

Do You Cook Salmon On Both Sides

What

Whether you cook salmon on both sides is really about personal preference. When grilling salmon with skin, always start with the fillets skin-side down and theres no need to flip. The skin is more durable than the flesh and can withstand more time on the hot surface of the grill without overcooking while protecting the tender flesh from the direct heat of the grill.

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Can You Grill Frozen Salmon

Grilling frozen salmon is not recommended, as frozen meats and fish do not cook evenly and so you may end up with some raw parts and some overcooked parts.

Its pretty quick and easy to thaw salmon fillets in a bowl of water, or you can do so in the fridge overnight. Do not thaw the salmon in the marinade.

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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When Is Grilled Salmon Done

A common recommendation for fish is that its done when it flakes easily with a fork, but its also easy to overcook it this way. For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked salmon and check the internal temperature every couple of minutes after you flip it:

  • Medium rare 125 degrees F
  • Medium 130 degrees F
  • Medium well 140 degrees F

Let the salmon rest for 3-5 minutes before serving, as the internal temperature will rise 3-5 more degrees while resting.

If you dont have a meat thermometer, though, you can use my time estimates above and flake the edge of the fish with a fork to test for doneness.

Helpful Facts For Grilled Salmon In Foil

How to Make Oven Baked Salmon-The Best Salmon Recipe

Is it safe to grill fish in aluminum foil?

We ingest a small amount of aluminum every day through food, water and/or medication. However, the aluminum content of food and medication isnt considered to be a problem because the body can only actually absorb a small amount. Grilling fish in foil can increase the amount of aluminum in your food, however, the amounts are very small and likely insignificant, and deemed safe by researchers.

Can I cook grilled salmon in the oven?

Yes! Simply prepare the recipe per instructions and place on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven to 400ºF for 10-15 minutes for 1-inch salmon and 15-20 minutes for 1 1/2-inch salmon.

Does salmon cook faster in foil?

The purpose of grilling salmon in foil is to create a steam trap to create super moist salmon. It doesnt necessarily cook faster, but it does cook more evenly, retains more moisture, keeps the grill clean and makes it more flavorful as the marinade seeps back into the fish as it cooks.

Will aluminum foil burn on the grill?

Nope! It may char against the grill grates but you can safely use it on the grill without worrying about it burning.

Do you poke holes in foil when grilling?

No, please dont! Please take care when handling the foil packet that you dont accidently poke a hole in the foil, otherwise the marinade and the juices will seep out and youll be left with a mess and less juicy salmon.

Do I have to rinse my salmon first?How much salmon does one fillet serve?Do you eat salmon skin?

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How To Bake Salmon In The Oven

If you want an easy, fancy main dish, it doesnt get much better than roasted salmon fillets. It can be a midweek date night, an al fresco meal with friends, or dinner with the in-laws salmon will rise to any occasion. I particularly like baking salmon in the oven, as its more hands-off than cooking salmon on the stovetop.

Today were showing you the easiest, simplest way to bake salmon in the oven. Its the kind of recipe to keep in your back pocket . Make it once and youll never wonder what to do with salmon again.

How Long To Grill Salmon

Salmon cooks quickly on the grill , so don’t walk away or get distracted. The salmon will be medium-rare when an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion reads 120 degrees F. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow for some carryover cooking.

And there you go! Perfect grilled salmon, every time.

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How To Tell When Salmon Is Finished Cooking

The eternal question! The greatest of salmon crimes is overcooking. Here are the best tips to tell when your salmon is done.

  • You can check for doneness by taking a sharp knife and peeking into the thickest part of your Grilled Salmon in Foil. If it is beginning to flake, but still has a little translucency in the middle, it is done.
  • You can also quickly insert a butter knife into the thickest part of the salmon after about 6 minutes of cooking. Then, remove it and check the temperature of the knife by feeling it. If the knife is lukewarm, the salmon needs more time, but if the knife is medium warm, the salmon should be ready to remove .
  • If your piece is thinner check several minutes early to ensure your salmon does not overcook. If your piece is very thick , it may need longer.

What To Serve With Grilled Salmon

RECIPE OF THE DAY: Grilled Salmon with Peach Salsa

Do you have a favorite grilling recipe, or a tip youd like to add? Leave a comment in the section and share below.

This post is sponsored by Weber Grills. As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There are affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.

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How To Know When Salmons Done Cooking

Much like tuna, salmon can be cooked depending on your preference: rare, medium-rare or cooked through. Color is a great indicator of how well done your salmon is. As it cooks, the flesh turns lighter pink. A paring knife is your best friend when checking for doneness slide the tip into the center of the fish to look at the color between the layers. When you remove it, feel the side of the knife. If its cool to the touch, the fish is rare if it feels warm, the fish is medium-rare and hot means the fish is cooked through.

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Ingredients Youll Need For This Grilled Salmon:

I told you, this is a basics recipe so youll need minimal ingredients to make this salmon.

  • Salmon Fillet: I like to buy a salmon fillet with skin on and then cut my own portions but to make it easier you can buy them pre-cut. Either way make sure they have skin on.
  • Tasteless Oil: Oils that are tasteless and can handle high heat are key. Avocado oil is what I normally use but peanut oil, grapeseed oil or vegetable oil would do.
  • Salt & Pepper: These are must to anything you make.
  • Grilling Utensils: I love using my fish spatula or tongs to flip so I dont break the salmon up when I flip.

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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

Serving Size 1 piece

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.

How Prep Salmon For The Grill

How to Grill Fish

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 Clean And Heat The Grill For Salmon

Start with a clean grill while it’s still cold, brush any food residue from the grates. Then lightly coat a bunched-up paper towel with olive oil. Using tongs, wipe the oil onto the grill grates. Dont use too muchdripping oil can cause flare-ups and excess smoke.

Make two cooking zones: a hot zone for searing and another for lower, gentle cooking. For a gas grill, turn the burners on one side to high and the other side to low. If you’re cooking with charcoal, push the hot coals onto one-half of the grill. The two zones will allow you to sear the salmon on the high-heat side, then transfer it to the cooler side to finish cooking. Close the lid and preheat for 15 minutes. This will burn off the oil and make the grill nonstick and very hot, about 500 degrees. For a charcoal grill, keep the lid vents open for air circulation.

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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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 To Make Grilled Salmon In Foil Easy And Perfect Every Time

15 Mind

While you can grill salmon without foil, I find that the foil option is by far the easiest, most effective way to grill salmon.

Using foil to make a packet around the salmon traps moisture. 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.

Avoid sad, stuck-on, dry salmon: use foil to grill!

Heres how this recipe breaks down:

  • To Make the Best Grilled Salmon in Foil, Start by Selecting The Best Fish
    • Look for salmon that is bright pink in color, that smells fresh but not fishy, and, if possible, is wild caught.
    • For Grilled Salmon in Foil, I like to ask the seafood counter to remove the skin for me. Again, since the foil holds the fish together, so you dont need the skin to keep it from falling apart.
    • For more information on how to pick salmon, see this Spicy Baked Salmon. I go into more detail about the different types of salmon and which I recommend for various reasons.
  • Lay a Large Sheet of Foil on a Baking Sheet
  • Flavor Layer 1: Place Half of the Herbs and Citrus on the Foil
  • Arrange the Salmon on Top
  • Add Butter, Garlic, and Season
  • Flavor Layer 2: More Herbs. More Citrus.
    • Again, the stronger the herb, the less you will need.
  • Seal the Foil Packet and GRILL!
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    How To Grill Salmon On A Gas Grill

  • More Grilling Goodness:
  • 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.

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