How Long To Cook Salmon Fillet?

A Salmon fish without bones, guts, and skin is referred to as a salmon fillet and is best used for cooking salmon dishes using different cooking methods ranging from baking, poaching, grilling, broiling, air, and pan frying.

The cooking methods require different procedures with different cooking duration, and you do not have to be scared of trying all the methods out as the cooking isn’t time-consuming.

Before embarking on your cooking adventure, check out the cooking duration for each method.

How Long To Cook Salmon Fillet?

Based on different methods, a  broiled salmon fillet takes 5 to 8 minutes to get cooked perfectly; the cooking duration for a  baked salmon fillet is 15 minutes, while it will require you to fry a salmon in a skillet for 10 minutes.

Poaching is another method for cooking salmon, and it will require 10 minutes of your time to get it perfectly cooked; a salmon fillet cooked on a grill will spend up to 15 minutes on the grill with the sides flipped at the appropriate time( if needed).

To have a well-cooked salmon on your dining table, your foil-wrapped salmon will take 10 to 12 minutes to cook when placed on a grill.

Is It Better To Bake Salmon At 350 or 400 Degrees F?

It depends on the product you desire. A Salmon baked at 400 degrees F gives the fish a brown color and makes the skin crispy, while one baked at 350 degrees F gives the salmon a milder flake. However,400 degrees F is the recommended cooking temperature for your salmon.

How To Skin A Salmon Fillet?

You do not have to stress yourself in getting a salmon fillet if you have a whole salmon fish at home, as the following procedure is a perfect guide to skinning your fillet.

• Ensure your knife is sharp with a long and wide blade, such as a chef’s knife.
• Place your salmon fish on a kitchen board with a skin side facing down.
• Start separating from the tail side by sliding a sharp knife between the skin and flesh.
• You can also cut the salmon into fillets before separating the skin from the flesh.
• You can maintain the skin on the other side except if you want to poach the fillets, as the skin protects against the flesh.
• Pluck the pin bones off the fillet center with a tweezer or plier.
• Wrap in a plastic bag or foil and keep in the fridge.

How To Bake A Salmon Fillet?

Salmon fillet can be baked in your mini oven at home following the step-by-step procedure using the following basic ingredients;

• Salt
• Pepper, garlic, or other seasonings.
• Olive oil or melted butter

Step One: Preheat  Your Oven

Preheat your oven to the standard temperature,400 degrees F, or desired temperature ranging from 350 to 400 degrees F.

Step Two: Prepare Your  Baking  Pan and Salmon Fillet

Rub your roasting pan with olive oil or line it with a baking sheet or aluminum foil well-rubbed with olive oil. Then, oil your salmon fillets but dry them with a paper towel if you are using a frozen fillet.

Rub your salmon fillets with a few drops of oil to enable the seasonings to stick well to the surface of the fish. Ensure that the oil is just a few drops, as excess oil will not give your meaty fish the crispy texture desired, as salmon contains high levels of oil.

Step Three: Put  Salmon  Fillets In the Oven

Place your salmon fillet in the oil-rubbed roasting pan with the skin facing down before putting it in the oven.

Step Four: Allow To Bake

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, but check after 10 minutes to ensure your salmon fillets do not overcook, as the cooking duration also depends on the size and thickness of the fillets.

Check the state of your salmon fillets by checking the color and the temperature using a thermometer.

How Do I Cook Salmon Fillet Using a Poaching Cooking Method?   

The poaching method allows you to achieve a perfectly cooked salmon fillet with desired moisture easily.

All you have to do is to boil your well-seasoned salmon fillets in a skillet with one cup of water and one cup of white wine for 10 to 15  minutes or until well done. You can determine your salmon fillet’s taste by adding various flavors such as lemon, garlic, or other herbs.

How Do I Cook Salmon Fillet With An Air Fryer?

Salmon fillets can be cooked in an air fryer using basic ingredients such as

•  Salt.
• Pepper
• Garlic
• Olive oil.

Procedures

• Preheat your air fryer to the standard temperature
• Rub olive oil on each side of your salmon fillets.
• Season your salmon fillets with the available seasoning.
• Place in the air dryer with the skin side down and allow it to cook for 10 minutes. 
• Check after 10 minutes, either by checking the temperature or the color and texture of the salmon.

What Temperature Signifies That My Salmon Fillet Is Well  Done?

The level of doneness depends on your preference; each temperature from 110 degrees F shows each level of doneness. However, the recommended temperature depicting the perfect level of doneness by the Food and Drug Administration is 145 degrees F.

How To Select The Best Salmon Fillet To Cook?

Choosing a bad salmon fillet will alter the cooking duration for each fillet, so you need to be able to identify a high-quality salmon fillet when you see one.

The first thing to check is the salmon’s color, which depicts the freshness level and the fish’s health. A good salmon fillet fit for cooking is usually a bright orange color with no brown edges and changes to a light peach color when cooked. 

The next thing to look out for is the smell of the salmon fillets.

The smell also reveals the state of the fish. Smell the salmon for a fresh sea smell; any smell apart from that means the fish is not best for consumption as bacteria have started acting on it.

However, you might have a semi-spoiled fish with a sea smell and a bright orange color, so you need to check further by doing a press check. Press the salmon with a finger; if the fillet comes back to its original position, your fillet is still fit for consumption, but if it does not, then do not consume.

If you find it difficult to identify a good fresh salmon, go for a frozen salmon. A frozen salmon fillet is always good, as ice inhibits the bacteria responsible for spoilage. You can be sure of getting nutrients from a frozen salmon fillet.

How Do I Identify A Cooked Salmon Fillet Through Colors And Texture?

Adequate information on the color and texture of a  salmon fillet from the raw state to the cooked state is another important means to identify a cooked salmon.

What To Serve With Cooked Salmon Fillets?

A well-cooked salmon fillet is best served with numerous side dishes ranging from vegetables, rice, and wines such as;

• Sautéed garlic green beans
• Sweet potato chips with ketchup
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Roasted Parmesan  Rosemary  Potatoes.
• Cilantro lime rice
• Coleslaw 
• Lemon butter broccolini
• Roasted brussels sprouts
• Asparagus with hollandaise sauce
• Cucumber and dill salad
• Noodle Salads

Conclusion

One thing you have to be conscious of when using salmon fillet for any of the cooking methods is the skin. Ensure the fillet has a skin covering on one end, as this will protect the layer when cooking, although you do not need the skin when using the poaching method.

Furthermore, the cooking duration depends on the cooking methods and the thickness of the salmon fillets.