How Long Do You Cook Salmon On The Grill
- A large piece of salmon like the one I grilled in these photos will take around 15-20 minutes on a HOT grill. Or the same amount of time in the oven if you are baking it.
- Smaller salmon fillets might take a little less time, around 10-15 minutes. Either way, resist the temptation to open the foil packet while the salmon is cooking to see if it is done.
- Again though, dont over cook the salmon! Salmon is best when it is juicy and tender, and cooking it too long dries it out and can easily ruin a beautiful piece of fish.
When the salmon is done, slice it into individual portions for your family. The leftovers are wonderful scrambled into eggs , added to pasta or used in a salad the next day.
Why I Choose Wild Alaskan Salmon
Of course, I recommend starting with Alaskan salmon because all Alaska salmon is wild caught, never farmed.
Why is this so important to me? Wild salmon is higher in omega-3s, lower in fat, and contains less toxins than farmed fish. So if I dont see it clearly labeled, I always verify that the salmon at my local grocery stores is Alaska salmon.
Like I did today when I didnt see it in the fresh fish caseAlaska salmon season is winding down, so its becoming harder to find it on display. But the butcher behind the counter was kind enough to point me in the direction of some bagged frozen Alaskan salmon.
This actually turned out to be really convenient, because the salmon fillets had all of the pin bones already removed. Not a huge deal, but definitely a nice perk!
NOTE: If youre looking for an excellent source for wild Alaskan salmon, I highly recommend ButcherBoxs high quality sustainably-harvested wild-caught Alaskan sockeye salmon!
Temperature To Cook Salmon
Just like with meat, I recommend taking the internal temperature of salmon. While the possibility of food borne illness isnt quite as risky with salmon as it is with beef or chicken, I still like to take the temperature because it takes out the guess work and youre less likely to overcook the salmon.
Note that the USDA recommends an internal temperature in the thickest portion of the fish to 145 degrees for food safety.
Heres a breakdown of temperatures for salmon doneness:
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Mistakes To Avoid When Preparing Salmon
Leaving the Pin Bones In It
Pin bones are hard to spot physically until they get stuck in ones throat. To prevent this scenario, its worth taking a few extra minutes to run your hands over the fillet to locate and gently remove them before cooking.
Tweezers come in handy in helping you remove the pins. Or better yet, if you plan to buy fresh salmon, ask your fishmonger to remove the pin bones for you.
Removing the salmon skin before cooking .
If youre poaching salmon, then yes, its okay to go ahead and remove the skin this is your one exception. Otherwise, if youre baking, roasting, broiling, pan-searing, or grilling, that tough, fatty skin is one of the best protection against overcooking.
Leaving the fish in the heat for too long.
Make this error and the telltale signs will be in your face the super-fishy aroma, dry, flaky texture, and white albumen oozing out the sides. Overcooked simply isnt enjoyable, but the good news is that you can easily avoid it.
Cooking the fish skin-side up.
It doesnt matter how you place the fish in the pan, right? Wrong! This matters big time and can be the difference between a well-cooked and overcooked piece of fish.
Whether youre pan-searing, roasting, or grilling, always start by cooking the salmon skin-side down. The skin works to protect the more delicate flesh from overcooking. And depending on the cooking method, most, if not all, of the cooking will happen this way.
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How To Grill Salmon In Foil
- I like to do one large piece of salmon when Im making this for my family, but you can use salmon fillets if you prefer.
- After making your super simple soy brown sugar salmon marinade and letting the salmon marinate for 1-2 hours, use heavy-duty aluminum foil to wrap the salmon tightly. I place the salmon in the middle of the foil, bring the long sides up, then fold them two or three times down over themselves, repeating on the shorter ends, to create a sealed packet so nothing can get out.
- Make sure the grill is heated all the way before placing the wrapped salmon over indirect heat .
- Close the grill lid and let the salmon cook until opaque through the center, being careful not to overcook the salmon. It only takes about 15 minutes for the salmon to cook on the grill this way.
- This last step is optional but if you want gorgeous grill marks on your salmon, just before the salmon is done when it is still a little bit darker pink in the center, unwrap the salmon from the foil and brush the side of the grill over direct heat with a little oil, then flip the salmon over and grill for 2-3 minutes to finish the salmon and get those nice grill marks. I always make sure to have two large spatulas and my serving plate handy so I can transfer the entire piece of salmon over as soon as it is done.
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How To Cook Cedar Plank Salmon On The Grill
So you dont HAVE to grill this salmon recipe on a cedar plank But its certainly a fun and different way to cook fish, as well as being one of the easiest ways to prepare it. My kids were so curious to try it!
Be sure to use an untreated cedar plank for grilling. Ive seen them on clearance at almost all of the grocery and hardware stores Ive visited lately, so this is the perfect time of year to give it a try for cheap.
It does add a distinct cedar flavor to your salmon, so if you find its not for you, just use a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil next time and decrease the grilling time slightly.
Want to learn how to cook cedar plank salmon on the grill? Theres really just two things you need to know: 1) Be sure to soak your cedar plank in water for at least an hour before grilling to prevent it from going up in flames. And 2) After soaking it, pat it dry, and then brush the side that youre going to place the salmon fillet on with a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking.
BTW, this cedar planked grilled salmon technique will work on both a gas grill or a charcoal grill. Both will produce delicious salmon thats perfectly cooked. This really is the best salmon recipe for the summer months!
AND it will even work in the oven if you want to make baked cedar plank salmon during the colder winter months. Check the notes in the recipe card for instructions on how to make cedar plank salmon in the oven.
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How To Grill Brown Sugar Salmon
Grilling is such a great way to prepare salmon fillets. The smokiness of the grill is perfect for contrasting the rich taste of the fish, and bringing out the earthy spices from the rub.
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Helpful Tips For The Baking Salmon
- Use fillets that are close in thickness so they finish baking at the same time.
- Dont forget to grease the baking sheet or salmon sticks.
- To cut out extra work, you can leave the skin-on individual fillets then just remove after baking. You can do this before serving or we usually just flake it away from the skin as eating with a fork.
- Check internal temperature of salmon for doneness so salmon doesnt end up dry.
- I prefer salmon cooked internally to medium doneness for a tender flakey texture thats moist .
- Keep in mind once salmon is removed from heat the internal temperature will continue to rise about 5 degrees.
How Do You Make Grilled Salmon
This recipe starts with a simple marinade that includes olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, herbs and spices. Whisk all the ingredients together, then add the salmon to the bowl. The salmon should marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours. The salmon can then be removed from the marinade and placed on the grill. Grill your fish until its done, then serve with lemon wedges and enjoy.
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How To Make Salmon On The Grill
- Once your salmon has the bones and the scales removed, dry them with paper towels. You want dried salmon on the outside so the seasonings and marinade adhere to the salmon.
- Cut the salmon into 3 inch portions for the perfect serving size.
- For an easy clean up, its best to dump your ingredients into a large Ziploc bag, remove the air, and gently rub the salmon with the brown sugar marinade.
- Let your salmon sit for 10-15 minutes while you preheat and oil the grill.
- Once your salmon has marinated and your grill has preheated over medium heat, its time to grill it.
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What Are Pin Bones
While pin bones are soft and flexible, they arent edible and you want to remove them if present in your fillet. Fortunately, these are not true bones, but the calcified tips of the fishs nerves, so they are not connected to anything and can be pulled right out.
If your grocery or butcher has not already removed the pin bones , youll want to remove them. To see if there are any pin bones in your fillet, simply run your fingers along the surface to feel if there is a line of bumps. If so, take a look at this tutorial to watch a video of how to pull them out before marinating
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How To Make Brown Sugar Salmon
Salmon has become one of my favorite things to cook, simply because its SO easy to make, no matter how you do it. It doesnt take long to cook, and you can really change up the flavor with different marinades, glazes, seasonings, etc. This bourbon brown sugar salmon recipe is a favorite because it really is FULL of flavor. I almost cant believe how simple it is to make something this tasty!
How to Make Bourbon Brown Sugar Salmon:
Ingredients For Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon
This glaze is so simple and compliments salmon perfectly. Its sweet and savory with a hint of spice from the mustard. The splash of fresh lemon juice balances the flavors. Dont worry, its more sweet than spicy and the kids never once complained about it being too spicy.
- Brown sugar we used packed light brown sugar which adds sweetness and caramelizes in the glaze
- Dijon mustard adds depth of flavor and we love Grey Poupon brand.
- Lemon juice use freshly squeezed lemon juice to add some acid and balance the glaze.
- Salt and black pepper we add this right to the sauce to save a step seasoning the salmon.
- Salmon use 2 lbs of skinless or skin-on salmon, cut into 6 filets
Pro Tip: Sourcing salmon can be tricky depending on your location. Wild-caught is best, but get the best salmon you can afford and or access. I have found that thicker, fattier fillets are juicier and more forgiving if you accidentally overcook the fish.
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Place Salmon On Preheated Grill
Place salmon on the preheated grill, and discard marinade. Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
The easiest way to see if your salmon has finished cooking is to gently press down on the top of the fillet with a fork or your finger. If the flesh of the salmon flakesmeaning, it separates easily along the white lines that run across the fillet its finished cooking.
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How Long To Grill Salmon On Cedar Plank
Lay each of your salmon fillets skin side down on the oiled face of a soaked plank. Brush the fillets with olive oil and press the brown sugar salmon rub all over the top. Lay the cedar planks directly on the hot grill grates. Cover grill and cook over indirect medium-high heat for about 15 minutes.
Salmon cooks quickly, so check frequently to see if its cooked through and flakes easily as you get close to the 15-minute mark. If you prefer to use the internal temperature as your guide, salmon is cooked through when it reaches 145 degrees internally in the thickest part of the fish.
When its done, you can serve this flaky salmon right on the cedar plank or transfer it to a platter! A few lemon slices on the side are always a nice touch.
Cuisine:Category:
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What Kind Of Salmon Is Best For Grilling
Sockeye and King salmon are great for the grill. It isnt just the thickness of the meat, but also the amount of fatty fish oils too. Those fats help keep the salmon moist even with the high heat of the grill.
Wild salmon tastes more fishy, but these days farm raised is much easier to find. I know there are many reason people are against farmed salmon, but lets face it. Sustainability is critical too.
After a week chasing Salmon in Alaska with local harvesters, I may be convinced that it is the perfect seafood. These recipes will keep you coming back for more!
Preparing My First Soy Sauce And Brown Sugar Salmon Marinade
When I made this Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar Salmon Marinade, I was a little disappointed when I opened the foil packet after baking and could understand wanting to grill it. It was sort of pale and icky looking.
It kind of baffled me because the pin said to wrap it in foil but the salmon in the picture had grill marks. Maybe it was grilled after baking? Then I flipped the salmon over and found that each slice had a beautifully caramelized crust on the bottom.
The time for baking depends on how big a slice of salmon you are using. My whole family liked it and felt there was not enough. So next time, I will have made bigger slices and MORE of them!
The original pin is from allrecipes.com and calls for grilling. Baking it in a foil packet is an idea that came from one of the comments. I am confident it would be delicious either way.
If you are looking for an easy to prepare and cook salmon, this Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar Salmon Marinade is a solid recipe. It is simple and its presentation is elegant. Give it a try!
This Pin Rocks!
- lemon pepper to taste
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