How to Marinate Salmon: Easy Marinated Salmon Recipe

Marinated salmon refers to salmon that sits in a marinade, a mixture of mostly liquid, for a period of time prior to cooking. The marinade’s flavors soak into the salmon flesh, seasoning the entire salmon fillet. While marinating is not necessary to cooking salmon, it imparts much more flavor than seasoning alone. Salmon fillets are somewhat mild in taste and benefit from strong flavors, such as soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, lime juice, and orange juice.

Avoid cooking salmon at too high of direct heat or else the outside will burn before the inside fully cooks. Cook salmon just until it flakes easily, which is around the recommended temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Here are three methods you can use to cook marinated salmon:

1. 1. Grilling: Grilled salmon makes for an easy weeknight meal in the summer or any time of year you want to use your grill. Salmon is delicate, tender, and flaky, which makes cooking it directly on the grill grates difficult. A grilled salmon recipe usually calls for you to place the ingredient on a sheet pan or wood plank or in a cast-iron grill pan that you can set right on the grates.
2. 2. Broiling: If you prefer your salmon on the rare side, consider broiling it. The top of the salmon caramelizes, forming a nice crust, while the inside remains moist and flaky. For more indirect broiling, place the salmon on a baking sheet on a lower rack in the oven, so it’s farther away from the broiler grates.
3. 3. On the stovetop: To pan-fry salmon on the stovetop, heat a stainless steel or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Pan-sear salmon skin-side down first, so the skin gets crispy, then flip it to cook the other side. Using a nonstick skillet makes cleanup easy, although the skin will not get crispy.

Marinating salmon is similar to marinating other types of meat and fish. Here are four tips to keep in mind the next time you’re preparing a salmon recipe:

1. 1. Marinate for the right time. Marinating salmon for too long poses the risk of it “cooking” in the acidic marinade (such as with ceviche). This changes the texture and flavor of the salmon. If the marinade has acid in it, limit the marinating time to two hours.
2. 2. Balance the saltiness and sweetness. Salmon, like most fish, absorb salt well, so you should try to balance that with something sweet. Use brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey in the salmon marinade to also encourage caramelization during the cooking process.
3. 3. Select ground spices. Choose freshly ground spices or store-bought ground spices, which will penetrate the salmon more effectively than whole spices. Cayenne pepper, chili powder, paprika, onion powder, or a seafood seasoning blend are good options.
4. 4. Use fresh garlic. Instead of using garlic powder, opt for fresh garlic, which will release oils and a richer flavor. Mix chopped or minced garlic right into the marinade. Make sure the garlic pieces are evenly distributed on the surface of the salmon while it marinates.