Along with halibut and cod, salmon is one of the most common fish options, being used in nearly every country’s cuisine. There are many different ways to add them into a dish. One of the best and simplest ways is to grill or barbecue salmon steaks, which can be eaten plain or put into a sauce base. With the different kinds of salmon available, the fish is quite versatile as well.
Even simply grilled with little seasoning, salmon can be made in many different ways. Whether it’s seasoned with just salt and pepper or lemon and herbs, a good salmon dish can be simple yet elegant. However, grilling a fish steak can seem quite hard due to how flakey salmon can be.
Thankfully, it doesn’t look very easy. With the right tools and grills from a BBQ store, you can make a great salmon dish by following these tips on how to grill a salmon properly.
Best way to grill salmon
Regardless of what type of salmon you choose, always keep the skin on the fish. This ensures that the fish does not fall apart as you move it around the grill while cooking. The salmon’s skin also acts as a barrier between the meat of the fish and the metal grate. Any stickiness from the fish will release and the skin will become crispy with enough heat and time.
When it comes to flavour, the overall fattiness of the salmon can also play an important role. Farm-raised salmon is frequently fatter, resulting in a more creamy or buttery flavor when cooked. Leaner salmon, on the other hand, is typically fished in the wild, emphasizing the meat’s fishier flavor. As a result, the fat content alters the taste depending on whether you or your family favor milder flavors.
How to cook a salmon
To make a simple yet great grilled salmon dinner, you need to pick a section of salmon with the skin still on. After that, season each side of the steak well, rubbing the seasonings into the skin and flesh. A simple recipe only calls for salt and black pepper but you can also use any other dry rub that you could use on other meat.
Once your fish has marinated properly, fire up the grill as per usual. Pellet grills and charcoal grills are both excellent choices for cooking fish because they impart a smokey flavor. Place the salmon pieces on the grill with the skin on the grate and brush oil over the fish itself once the grill is hot and smoking.
Cover the salmon and let it cook for anywhere between six to eight minutes. This allows the skin to cook and crisp up well, holding the flesh together as well. When you go to turn the fish, the skin should remain intact. However, do be aware that most of the cooking you do will need to be done skin side down. You only need to flip the salmon once to get a nice sear.
Foil grilled salmon
There is another way to grill salmon on your BBQ if you don’t have access to skin-on salmon or don’t want to consume the skin. While this method does not provide the same grill lines as directly grilling the fish, the salmon retains its juiciness throughout the cooking period.
The first step with this method is to marinate it. Since the salmon steak will later be wrapped in foil to cook, using marinades is a great option for this method, thanks to the fact that any leftover juice and seasonings will cook onto the fish as well. Once the salmon is seasoned, leave it to rest for an hour in the fridge.
Gas or propane grills are best used for foil grilling since you aren’t aiming to get the charcoal or wood pellet taste. Start the grill to begin preheating, and prepare the foil packs if you choose not to marinate the salmon inside them. Add a layer of oil before setting the fish inside and sealing it, making sure to poke holes into it gently. Then simply put the foil pack onto the grill, cover and let it cook for 14 to 20 minutes at roughly 450 degrees fahrenheit, depending on the thickness.
What seasonings pair well with salmon?
Sometimes, a simple salt and pepper seasoned salmon doesn’t sound that appealing. Thankfully, there are a number of different options for seasoning your salmon steaks for lunch or dinner.
A lipid like oil or buttermilk, an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, and seasonings are popular elements in marinades for a variety of meats, including fish. Making your own marinade or paste with just three ingredients is simple, especially because oil is virtually always utilized.
Lemon Herb Grilled Salmon
A lemon and herb marinade is a classic and straightforward way to season salmon. Lemons are a must-have when it comes to shellfish and fish, especially because their tanginess may cut through any overpowering buttery flavors. The flavors become light and pleasant when combined with a little garlic, oregano, and parsley. You can also give the lemons a brief grill or roast alongside the fish to make them even more juicy.
Takeaway
Salmon is an incredibly versatile type of fish that can be prepared and cooked in many different ways. You may make a fantastic dinner with the fish in any type of cuisine and with any seasonings. However, often the most basic approaches and flavors are the best. When barbecuing a salmon steak, it’s crucial to preserve the skin on the fish to avoid it splitting. It also gives a crisp texture to the meal and has the ability to hold a lot of flavor.
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