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    Home » Recipes » Easy Dinner » Easy Salmon Recipes: Fast & Fabulous Ways to Prepare Salmon

    LAST UPDATED: December 16, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: March 17, 2019 By Toni Dash 68 Comments

    Easy Salmon Recipes: Fast & Fabulous Ways to Prepare Salmon

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Easy Salmon Recipes title image

    Easy Salmon Recipes are perfect for fast, fabulous meals any night of the week! Sharing lots of delicious, fast cooking methods and recipes!

    Easy Salmon Recipes title image

    It seems ‘eat more fish’ is something we are told constantly.

    Many people aren’t sure HOW to cook fish or if they even like it.

    I have a solution: Easy Salmon Recipes!

    Salmon can be prepared so many ways and they are all fast and easy.

    It’s great any night of the week, and being a more mild flavored fish, salmon is adaptable to multiple flavors.

    You’ll surely find at least a few new favorites in this collection of easy salmon recipes!

    Why Eat Salmon

    Salmon, as with most fish, is very nutrient dense.

    It is a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals as well as Omega-3 fatty acids.

    All of these nutrients are associated with positive effects on different aspects of health and wellness.

    Salmon is a more desirable fish for many due to its meatier texture and pleasing flavor which is not ‘fishy’ in the same way stronger flavored fish can be.

    It can be prepared very quickly in multiple ways making it a perfect choice for easy salmon recipes.

    Before diving into the collection of easy salmon recipes, here are a few more helpful pieces of information about salmon.

    full salmon fillet with lemon and herbs

    Types of Salmon

    There are 7 types of salmon.

    Most are Pacific salmon species (in the United States) with one species of Atlantic salmon which has become extinct in the wild and is now virtually all farm-raised.

    More than the species of salmon, most consumers are more aware of the wild vs farm-raised distinction.

    My suggestion is to always buy salmon at a quality seafood market or grocery store with knowledgeable fish mongers who can guide on the salmon options for your needs.

    Types of Salmon cuts

    There are two main cuts of salmon used in most easy salmon recipes: a fillet or a steak.

    salmon fillets

    Salmon Fillet

    The fillet is a side cut usually having skin on one side, few if any bones.

    It can be cooked in a large fillet and sliced into smaller portions.

    Or individual fillets may be cooked and served directly.

    salmon steaks uncooked

    Salmon Steak

    The steak is a cross-cut of the salmon that includes the backbone.

    It looks like horseshoe shape and serves one person.

    The skin covers the sides of the salmon steak.

    How to Remove Salmon Bones

    Larger bones in salmon extend from the backbone and are often removed before buying salmon at the store (unless buying a whole salmon).

    However, there can be ‘pin bones’ which are tiny bones that can remain in a cut of salmon.

    It’s always good to look for pin bones before cooking a piece of salmon or when eating it.

    The best way to remove salmon bones at home is with a set of long nose pliers.

    how to remove salmon bones

    I keep a dedicated pair of long nose pliers in my kitchen dedicated for food use only.

    Once locating a pin bone, grasp it with the needle nosed pliers and pull it out.

    Can Salmon Skin Be Eaten?

    Yes, salmon skin is considered safe to eat!

    Salmon skin contains many of the same Omega-3 oils and nutrients as the salmon. It’s mild in flavor too.

    Salmon skin tastes best when it has been grilled, pan-seared or fried over steamed or baked (a method that does not crisp the skin).

    It’s also very easy to remove from cooked salmon should you prefer not to eat it.

    Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon and Capers

    What is the Doneness Temperature of Salmon?

     Salmon is fully cooked at 145 degrees F according to the U.S.D.A..

    The best way to determine this is with an Instant Read Thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the salmon, not touching the pan.

    Easy Salmon Recipes

    I love cooking salmon in multiple ways. It’s flavorful, my whole family loves it, and it cooks very quickly making it perfect for a weeknight or weekend.

    Following are a number of ways to cook salmon with easy salmon recipes for each!

    Sheet Pan Maple-Mustard Salmon with Roasted Carrots and Potatoes

    How to Bake Salmon

    Baking salmon is probably the most common way to cook salmon and the easiest.

    A quick brush of oil, a bit of salt and pepper and the salmon can be cooked in 12-15 minutes in a 425-degree oven.

    Adding a squeeze of lemon juice, sprinkling of herbs (dill is fantastic) changes up the flavor nicely.

    Salmon can also be brushed with a marinade, or marinated before cooking.

    Sheet Pan Maple-Mustard Salmon with Roasted Carrots and Potatoes
    Sheet Pan Maple-Mustard Salmon with Potatoes and Carrots
    This simple recipe is absolutely as delicious as it is pretty. The salmon marinates in the irresistible sweet, tangy marinade for only 20 minutes, starting just before the vegetables are put in the oven to begin roasting. After 15 minutes the salmon is added to the sheet pan for an additional 20 minutes.
    Check out this recipe

    Charred cedar plank salmon cooked with dill and lemon slices

    How to Grill Salmon

    Grilling salmon is another great choice for easy salmon recipes.

    Being both a thicker fish and with more oil, it does not dry out like thinner fish.

    Do not overcook salmon as it still CAN dry out losing its delicious flavor.

    One of my favorite ways to grill salmon is on a cedar plank.

    The plank infuses flavor and protects the salmon from the direct heat of the grill. I have a little tip too that doesn’t require the cedar plank to be soaked first!

    Cedar Plank Salmon with Lemon and Dill
    This easy grill recipe for Cedar Plank Salmon makes moist, flavorful salmon fillet thanks to charring a cedar plank before cooking. The need for soaking is eliminated cutting down on the prep time by a few hours. 
    Check out this recipe
    Grilled Salmon in Foil on plate with rice title image
    Grilled Salmon in Foil
    This is the easiest way to grill salmon! The individual foil packets include salmon and vegetables that grill in 10 minutes for a delicious, light meal!
    Check out this recipe

     

    Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon and Capers

    How to Pan Sear Salmon

    Pan searing salmon is cooking it in oil or butter in a skillet on the stove top.

    It’s another delicious 15-minute start-to-finish cooking method.

    The oil or butter add extra flavor along with any other ingredients adds.

    Pan Seared Salmon with capers and lemon
    Pan Seared Salmon with Capers and Lemon
    This easy pan-seared salmon recipe is ready in a flash and allows the flavor of the salmon to sing. The delicious sauce of butter, lemon and capers is the crowning glory of the 15 minute recipe!
    Check out this recipe
    Salmon Tostadas - BoulderLocavore.com
    El Tovar Salmon Tostada
    A signature recipe from the iconic Grand Canyon lodge El Tovar. This recipe is several in one, all combining to make a simply mouth-watering dish of toasted corn tortillas, dressed organic greens topped with a salmon fillet, corn salsa, sour cream-lime with a side of Poblano Black Bean Rice. Don't let the recipe scare you. Though there are several components, each is very easy and not time consuming to prepare. The components will quickly give you ideas of where to use them in other dishes as well. The recipe is naturally gluten-free.
    Check out this recipe

    How to Poach Salmon

    Poaching is a popular way to prepare salmon and is usually a lean way to cook it.

    Poaching is a wet method of cooking the salmon in liquid. It can be water, wine, broth or a mixture.

    Poached salmon is a fast way to cook too.

    Check out this recipe>>Poached Salmon with Mustard Dill Sauce 

    How to Steam Salmon

    Steaming salmon is a great way to prepare it without extra oils or fats. It’s top on the easy salmon recipes list taking under 10 minutes to cook.

    Steam the salmon with fresh herbs, wine, or broth (or a combination) for the steaming broth for even better flavor.

    Check out this recipe>>How to Steam Salmon

    How to Broil Salmon

    There are many easy salmon recipes for broiling salmon which are fast and easy.

    A one pan preparation, broiling is a fast higher heat way to cook salmon.

    Broil salmon simply with just oil, salt and pepper or add a flavor-packed rub!

    Check out this recipe>>Healthy Broiled Salmon with Sweet Spicy Rub

    Check out this recipe>>Broiled Salmon with Lemon

    How to Microwave Salmon

    Arguably the fastest and easiest way to cook salmon is in the microwave!

    Four minutes is all it takes when sealing the salmon before cooking.

    Check out this recipe>>How To Microwave Salmon

    Cooking Salmon in an Air Fryer 

    Air fryers are the latest cooking ‘rage’ and there are easy salmon recipes perfect for the air fryer too!

    Check out this recipe>>Perfect Air Fryer Salmon (with video)

    Check out this recipe>>Easy Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Salmon

    What is YOUR favorite way to prepare salmon? Leave a comment below!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Suzy says

      January 22, 2020 at 9:03 am

      Salmon is easily one of our favorite go to meals! Love all of the different options here!

      Reply
    2. Eileen M Loya says

      January 19, 2020 at 9:04 am

      These are all great ways to cook salmon. Salmon is my husband’s favorite fish. Oh, and I did not know you can eat the skin. I just find it too tough. But I will try crisping it in the oven!

      Reply
    3. Michelle says

      January 17, 2020 at 11:06 pm

      I’m always looking for great salmon recipes. These all look wonderful.

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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