Ten Top Tips and Methods for Cooking Perfect salmon
By Ryan Taylor
Start with Quality Fish:
Choose fresh salmon with plump, moist flesh and shiny skin. If fresh isn’t available, high-quality frozen salmon is a good alternative.
Baked Salmon Fillets:
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until cooked through and easily flakes with a fork.
Pan-Seared for Crispy Skin:
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Place skin-side down in the skillet and cook for about 5-6 minutes until the skin is crispy. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Poached Salmon:
In a large skillet, bring water to a simmer. Add aromatics like lemon slices, garlic, and herbs. Place salmon fillets in the skillet, cover, and cook for about 5-7 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
Grilled Salmon:
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Season salmon with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill for about 4-5 minutes per side until grill marks appear and the fish is cooked through.
Slow-Roasted Salmon:
Preheat the oven to 275°F. Season salmon with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Roast for about 25-30 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
Broiled Salmon:
Preheat the broiler. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil. Broil for about 5-7 minutes until the top is browned and the fish is cooked through.
Smoked Salmon:
Prepare a smoker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Season salmon with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Smoke for about 30-45 minutes until the fish is cooked through and has a smoky flavor.
Marinated Salmon:
Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs in a bowl. Add salmon fillets and marinate for at least 30 minutes. Grill, bake, or pan-sear as desired.
Serve with Fresh Herbs:
Garnish cooked salmon with fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chives for added flavor and freshness.
