Cooking fish can be intimidating, especially salmon. I love eating salmon but am always afraid I will ruin the beautiful, sometimes expensive, fish by cooking it incorrectly. Here are a few helpful tips to make cooking salmon less stressful. Also, these top 5 baked salmon recipes provide great options for dinner!
Tips for the Best Baked Salmon
Buy High Quality Salmon
Wild caught salmon is the best option if you can find it. Here are 4 types of wild caught salmon that taste great when baked. Figuring out what fish to purchase can be confusing since these fish are called by different names. The four most commonly sold salmon are Pink Salmon (humpback), Chinook Salmon (King), Sockeye Salmon (Red), and Coho Salmon (Silver),
Check for Freshness
Make sure that your salmon is a bright orange-pink color. If the edges are turning dark or the color is turning a brown-yellow shade, it is getting old. Another thing to do is smell the fish. Not always a pleasant thing to do but a strong indicator of freshness. If the fish has a strong fish smell it has been out of the ocean for a while. Fresh fish should remind you of the sea but not have an overpowering odor.
Don’t Season too Early
Salmon is very tasty when cooked with seasonings and marinades, but unlike other meats, the seasonings should be applied shortly before cooking. Some seasonings, like salt, will draw out moisture if left for too long making your fish overly dry when cooked.
Leave on the Skin
Not everyone likes to eat the skin, but leaving it on when cooking does keep the fish more moist. Bake the salmon skin side down to protect the fish from the heat of the pan and help it cook evenly. The skin should come off pretty easily once the fish is cooked.
How to Know When Salmon is Done
The simple answer is, get a food thermometer. The FDA recommends that fish reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Fish, like many meat products, continues to cook even when removed from the oven. Fish can be removed from the oven when it reaches 140 degrees and left in the foil, or covered with foil, until it reaches 145 degrees. Allowing the fish to “cook” while resting on the counter keeps it from over cooking and drying out. If you don’t own a thermometer, stick a fork in the thickest part of the fish and see if it flakes apart. If it is translucent pink it is not quite done.
How Long to Bake Salmon
As you will see from the recipes contained in this article, everyone has a different opinion. It really depends on how large a piece of fish you have, what you add to it, and if it is cooked in foil or a pan. In general, a 2 pound piece of fish, when wrapped in foil and cooked at 375 degrees will cook in 15-20 minutes and at 400 degrees will cook in 12-15 minutes.
Top Baked Salmon Recipes
Baked Salmon in Foil
This recipe is pretty simple, with very few ingredients, which makes it perfect for a beginner.
Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
No need to think of side dishes to go with your salmon. This recipe is for a complete meal of fish, potatoes, and asparagus.
Baked Garlic-Butter Salmon
This recipe is easily adaptable by exchanging the sweetener, herbs, and fat to whatever your taste preference or pantry allows.
Baked Salmon
Not sure what seasoning you want? Try this recipe. It gives three different seasoning options of Cajun, Lemon Dill and Garlic Butter. Three recipes in one is never a bad choice.
Baked Salmon with Garlic and Dijon
The marinade in this recipe would go well with other seafood which makes it a great addition to any kitchen. The author has also included air fryer directions which cuts the cooking time to 7 minutes.
Health Benefits of Baked Salmon
No matter what recipe you choose, adding salmon into your diet is a good thing. Besides being a tasty dinner option, salmon is extremely healthy. Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and lower blood pressure and lead to a healthier heart. A good source of protein, salmon also contains potassium and selenium, a mineral that protects bone health and improves thyroid function.
So, the next time you are at the store think about adding salmon to your cart. Not only is salmon healthy for you, the herbs and other ingredients in these easy recipes provide additional nutrients and lots of flavor.
