At first, we thought it was just personal preference, but it turns out salmon is a favored fish choice all over the US. It’s flaky, light, and unlike tuna, in between the flakes, there is plenty of moisture and healthy fats. These are already enough reasons for us writers to shamelessly woo when any salmon dish emerges from the test kitchen.
That’s not to mention the fish can be cooked in a plethora of ways. Searing, grilling, baking, broiling, broiling in foil, making patties, poaching, soups, etc. the list goes on. They just turn out delicious every single time and never disappoint.
What we have for you today, however, is a collection of easy recipes. All you have to do is season the filet and let it cook effortlessly, with or without your supervision. They’re simple and practical must-tries you need to include in your busy routine.
Easy Ways to Cook Salmon
This is not a cooking method, but if you just want your salad with cooked salmon, there’s canned salmon. Drain it well and it’s ready just like that. You can also make some at home by poaching salmon in shallow water for around 10 minutes, breaking it up with a fork, and using it to top your salad.
To enjoy salmon filets whole, pan-searing is our foremost recommended method. It takes just 7-10 minutes over high heat (flipped halfway through) and comes out moist on the inside and caramelized on the outside.
If you prefer to lie back while things cook, slide your seasoned filets into the oven. Place them into the air fryer, on the other hand, and your fish will finish slightly sooner. Both these hot boxes can cook up several servings at once, and you need not lay a finger once the knobs are turned.
Best Easy Salmon Recipes
If you’re looking for more ideas, these easy salmon recipes are what we have to recommend:
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Poached Salmon Recipe
There’s an abundance of easy recipes out there, but none like this one for Poached Salmon. Fresh fillets simmer in a pool of white cream sauce until they’re tender and flaky. Next, you serve them with mashed potatoes and enjoy the creamiest, most buttery dish of your life. What more can you want?
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Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe
Two opposing flavors reconcile to form a magical dining experience in this Honey Garlic Salmon recipe. So sit down, dig in, and prepare yourself for an assault of heavenly flavors. While treading the spectrum of sweet to sour, this dish will take your taste buds for an exciting joy ride you’ll appreciate.
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Maple Glazed Salmon Recipe
This Maple Glazed Salmon will make you rethink that takeout order. Even busy nights are no excuse - this dish takes just 20 minutes to prepare. Salmon filets are seared in a thick, syrupy glaze that leaves them deliciously glossy. They’re then served with cooked broccoli and rice for a healthy, better-than-takeout meal.
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Broiled Salmon Recipe
Rev up your menu with this simplistic Broiled Salmon. All you need is 20 minutes to get a glossy, restaurant-esque meal to drool over. Start by brushing each filet with an herbed butter glaze and then broil them in the oven until cooked and tender. Serve with crunchy asparagus and quinoa to complete.
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Salmon Salad Recipe
This Salmon Salad is so texture-rich and tasty you’ll want to eat it all week long. Salmon, by itself, is easily enjoyable, and including it in a salad is a simplistic way to make its flavors shine through. Here we added lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and radish to accompany salmon with crunchy textures that complement it flawlessly.
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Pan Fried Salmon Recipe
There are a few reasons why this Pan Fried Salmon is a dream come true. First, there’s no pile of dirty pots after cooking this dish — only one pan. Second, you’ll spend just 15 minutes preparing it from start to finish. And third, it tastes like a delicious dream you won’t forget.
Get the recipe.What Does Cooked Salmon Look Like?
When it comes to salmon, the look is indeed deceiving. The fish remains orange-pink from start to finish, with a tint of saturated hue that’s very hard to notice.
Hence, it’s best to rely on the cooking time called for in the recipes. On medium heat, the filet should take about 10-12 minutes depending on the thickness. In a preheated oven at 350, it can take anywhere from 18-23 minutes to cook. All of these are estimates that apply to room-temp salmon only.
If you’re still quite unsure, even with the recipes opened nearby, a thermometer should be your bestie. Stick it into the thickest part of the filet, and if it reaches 145 °F, it’s ready.
Best Seasonings for Salmon
‘Best’ is different for everyone, so we wouldn’t claim these go-to combos of ours ‘the best’. They are, however, simple and work every time, we find:
- Garlic, butter, and salt.
- Chili powder, smoked paprika, and salt, with a squeeze of lemon when served.
- Honey, mustard, Worcestershire, and soy sauce.
- Sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, and pepper, topped with toasted sesame seeds.
A writer and entrepreneur, Luna’s day doesn’t start at the computer keyboard, but in the kitchen.
Half of her working hours are spent on mixing ingredients for her recipes. The other half involve working with the tech team to research and test the tools and appliances that promise to make kitchen work effortless and mess-free. From a kitchen knife or water filter to the Instant Pot, if it can help save time and effort for the home cook, Luna and her team are on it.
Luna’s extracurricular pastimes include camping, travel, and photography.