How to Cook Salmon

Did you buy salmon at the store, and now you don’t know what to do with it? Learn more about how to cook salmon!

I love salmon.

But I didn’t always love it, because poorly cooked salmon is just not good.

And over the past few years, I’ve learned that a lot of you want to like salmon, but you just aren’t sure what in the world to do with it.

And so– today we’re going to learn how to cook salmon.

Hint– there’s more than one way!!

How to Air Fry Salmon

Air fryers work like tiny, extra-powerful convection ovens.

Air frying salmon is a great way to get a crispy skin and a tender fish, plus it’s just a tiny bit faster than most other methods on this list.

How to Cook Salmon: Bake (or Roast) It

As a rule, bake (or roast) salmon at 450°F for about 10 minutes per inch of salmon.

You can wrap it in parchment paper or foil before cooking if you want to, and add in some lemon slices and herbs for extra flavor.

Personally, I like to smother it in basil pesto before cooking, because it helps seal in all the juices.

Slow-Roasted Salmon

Another easy way to cook salmon is to bake (or roast) it for a little longer at lower heat.

This is called slow-roasting.

To slow-roast salmon, set your oven to 275°F, and cook the salmon for 15 minutes per inch of salmon.

When I slow-roast salmon, I like to rub it with spices and serve it on a sandwich.

How to Cook Salmon: Pan-Sear it

This is my favorite way to cook salmon. It’s juicy, fatty, and all-around delicious.

To pan-sear salmon, let your salmon fillets come to room temperature for about 10-20 minutes. Pat them dry, and season them.

Heat a heavy pan with oil or butter over medium heat, until oil shimmers or the butter melts.

Set the fish in skin-side down (if it has skin), and don’t touch it. Pan-sear the salmon until the salmon is cooked halfway through, and then flip and finish cooking.

Tip: You’ll be able to watch the salmon cook, and know exactly when it’s half-way done, because the flesh changes from bright pink or red to a paler, opaque color as it cooks.

Need more help? Learn how to pan-sear fish.

I like to pan-sear salmon and then make a salmon Caesar salad, or add it to a salmon sandwich!

Pan-Roasted Salmon

If you love the idea of pan-seared salmon, with its crispy skin and tender meat, but don’t want to flip the fish over, you can also pan-roast the salmon.

For this technique, you start by searing the salmon until it’s about halfway cooked (just like with pan-searing).

Next, you slide the entire pan into the oven and cook it at 350°F for 5-6 more minutes.

Want to try it? Check out this pan-roasted salmon recipe from Bon Appetit.

How to Cook Salmon: Grill It

One of the most delicious ways to cook salmon is on the grill!

Plus, salmon is easy to grill because it’s oily, and doesn’t stick to the grill as easily as lean fish.

If you want to make grilling salmon fool-proof, try using a fish grilling basket!

Learn more about how to grill fish!

When I grill salmon, I especially love to pair it with an acidic fruit– like this grilled side of salmon with pineapple or grilled salmon with plum sauce.

How to Broil Salmon

This is one my favorite methods for cooking fish.

Your oven’s broiler acts a lot like a hot grill, but it’s easier and faster. This method is very hands-off, which allows you to prepare the rest of your meal.

Just don’t forget to set a timer, because broilers cook very quickly!

how to Poach salmon

Want to try poaching your salmon? It’s easy, and is hard to over-cook.

Start by making a flavorful poaching liquid (I like to use wine, water, and herbs), and then bring it to a simmer. Add the fish, and simmer for about 5 minutes per one inch of salmon.

Don’t Cook Salmon– Eat it Raw!

And of course, you can also buy (or make) salt-cured salmon (lox).

Buy lox near the seafood counter in sealed, refrigerated packets, or learn how to make lox at home!

Did you try one of these methods? Do you have another way that you love to cook salmon? Let me know in the comments!