My Favorite Salmon Recipes
Salmon is a wonderful fish to make for dinner. It’s easy to cook, juicy, moist and tender. In this collection, you will find so many wonderful flavors and ways to cook it for dinner. The best part is that all these salmon recipes take no more than 30 minutes to cook.
What Is Salmon Like
Salmon is always my go-to fish. It’s so easy to cook and with its mild flavor, it goes with so many seasoning, sauces, and side dishes. Cook it any way you want because it stands up to any cooking method be it baking, grilling, pan searing, or air-frying.
Flesh of salmon is moderately dense, thick, and meaty, which is why it can stand up to many different cooking methods and retain its shape and moisture. As long as you don’t over-cook it, it will be a very juicy fish. Luckily, because of the denser flesh, it’s not as easy to overcook as a delicate fish like flounder or trout.
Salmon has a good amount of fat to keep it moist, juicy, and flavorful but for the best texture, cook it no more than medium-well.
How To Tell When Salmon Is Done
If you’ve cooked a lot of salmon if you life, you can tell if its’ done just by touch. When you press on the center of the thickest part of the fish, you can feel how firm or squishy it is. The more firm it is to the touch, the more done the fish will be.
Of course, the most accurate way to tell is salmon is done is to use a digital instant read thermometer. If you cook at home even a little bit, you should have one to check temperature of meats.
USDA recommends to cook salmon to 145°F internal temperature, which is when it is considered fully done. Personally, I prefer salmon at either medium or medium-well temperature, which is around 125°F-135°F. I usually cook my salmon to 135°F.
Types of Salmon to Choose From
When it comes to seafood, quality always matters! Better quality salmon gives you the best flavor and texture. Look for sustainably farmed or wild-caught fish, and don’t hesitate to ask your fishmonger about the source.
If fresh salmon isn’t available, opt for flash-frozen, it’s often frozen right on the boat shortly after being caught, making it the best frozen option.
Here are the three main types of salmon you’ll commonly find:
- Atlantic Salmon – Wild Atlantic salmon is endangered and is now rarely commercially harvested, so all Atlantic salmon is mostly farm-raised. It’s the most affordable option, with a mild flavor and a good amount of fat. Quality can vary, so always consider the source.
- Sockeye (Red) Salmon – Known for its vibrant red color and bold, full flavor. It’s more affordable and widely available than king salmon, and typically leaner while still packing plenty of flavor.
- King Salmon – The most premium (and expensive) option. It’s rich, buttery, and high in healthy fats. Not as widely available, but well worth it, especially for special occasions or holiday meals.
BAKED SALMON RECIPES
COOKING SALMON IN THE PAN
GRILLED SALMON
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All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
Thank you for all the great recipes!
Your very welcome, Carol! Thank you for stopping by! 🙂