27 Easy Salmon Recipes to Make in January (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to best salmon? ›

A dry brine gives you firmer, juicier fish fillets with kettle-chip-crisp skin. Credit... Gentl and Hyers for The New York Times.

Using your hands or a brush, rub a dollop of quality olive oil on the flesh side of your salmon filet. Next, season generously with kosher sea salt and pepper. For a classic flavor, try adding garlic powder, dried basil, dried parsley, and onion powder. If you want a smokier taste, use paprika, chile powder, or cumin.

Wrap your salmon in a parchment packet with aromatics, citrus, veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil. The steam trapped in the packet will infuse the fish with flavor and cook it gently, making it tender and juicy. Bonus: The parchment packets only take about 15 minutes at 425°F and the cleanup is minimal.

Apparently, the proteins present in milk can bind to the fatty acids that have been exposed to air and give salmon its fishy odor or taste and mitigate them to be more neutral. (Fishiness is caused by the oxidation of fatty acids.)

A typical serving size for salmon is between 3 oz to 4 oz for adults. The FDA and Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eating at least 8 oz of fish per week, which is around two or more servings of salmon or other fish. Salmon provides a good source of omega-3 fats.

Marinating salmon can add additional flavor and help the fish stay moist during cooking. Most marinades include an acidic element like lemon or vinegar which add a pleasant tanginess to the fish. Salmon is considered by some to be a "fishy" tasting fish because it is firm and high in fat.

Do you oil salmon before or after seasoning? ›

When seasoned too soon before cooking, the salt will start to break down the proteins in the salmon and draw moisture out of the fish. Follow this tip: No matter the method of cooking, season the fish just before it hits the pan, goes in the oven, or onto the grill.

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends against washing raw fish or meat as a way to remove bacteria. Therefore, washing salmon before cooking it will not make it “cleaner”; in fact, it may increase the risk of food poisoning. To produce delicious raw salmon, do not wash the cut pieces of salmon.

There's a reason this species is at the top of the list and earned itself the royal moniker: King salmon is considered by many to be the best salmon money can buy. It's rich, high in fat, and big. The average weight of a king salmon is 40 pounds, but they can weigh as much as 135 pounds or as little as 20-something.