The depth of information you have on a task determines your success in that task, so it is when it comes to cooking. One of the frustrating aspects of cooking is overdoing it, which is why you need to be well informed on the steps for each cooking method and cooking duration.
Salmon is one of the dishes you need to cook with strict timing, especially when grilling, as the cooking duration for salmon on a grill spans between 10 to 15 minutes.
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How To Cook Salmon On The Grill?
Cooking salmon on the grill involves a lot of preparation and carefulness as you need to master your charcoal and be conscious of the type of salmon to use. If you are a fish lover, a farmed salmon might not give you the juicy and crispy taste you desire when grilled, but a wild salmon will do.
However, you can use any salmon for your grilled salmon. Before you start grilling, the next thing to do is to get familiar with your charcoal grill; this might not be needed if you use a gas grill.
A charcoal grill is the best for your salmon as it brings out its flavor and aroma; this can only be achieved if you use paper to light up the charcoal. The taste of naturally lighted charcoal will be different from that of charcoal fluid, so avoid using it.
Once the coal is covered with ash, empty the chimney and distribute the charcoal evenly before placing the grill grates on it to preheat for a few minutes.
Make sure the grill temperature is up to 400 degrees F by checking the temperature gauge if your grill has one, but if it does not, use a thermometer to check it.
Ingredients For Grilled Salmon.
- A salmon fillet with skin
- Salt
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Ground black pepper
Procedure.
- Wash your salmon and cut it into the desired shape but ensure the skin is maintained as it protects the salmon from unnecessary burnt or change of taste.
- Rub the oil on the salmon, sprinkle your ground black pepper with salt, then place it on the grill with the skin facing down.
- Cover with lid
- Open the lid after a few minutes and flip the salmon to the other side to allow for even cooking. (Flipping might not be necessary if a high-quality grill is used).
- Remove the fish from the grill and allow it to cool once it is properly cooked.
- Peel away the skin after a few minutes and serve with a preferred side dish.
How Long To Cook Salmon On The Grill Using Foil Packs?
The cooking duration for grilling Salmon with foil packs is between 15 minutes to 20 minutes due to the indirect heat applied to the salmon.
However, the cooking duration might be faster than cooking it without foil if the salmon is marinated before placing in the foil.
How To Cook Salmon On The Grill Using Foil Packs?
This method is best used when using a salmon without skin as it will help protect the flesh from direct heat and burn. The salmon will come out well when marinated before grilling.
- Make a quick Honey Mustard Salmon Marinade by mixing the mustard, oil, lemon juice, and honey before grilling the salmon.
- Soak your salmon in the marinade for 60 minutes before grilling it.
- Preheat your charcoal or gas grill to 400 degrees F.
- Spray your heavy-duty aluminum foil with oil, and place your marinated fish on the foil pack before folding it.
- Place the foil on the grill grate and cover the lid.
- Allow it to grill for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Once it is properly cooked, remove the foil and allow it to cool before serving it.
How Long To Cook Frozen Salmon On Grill?
Frozen salmon takes more time to get cooked on a grill, unlike fresh ones, as the cooking duration to grill a frozen salmon is within 15 to 20 minutes.
How Do I Cook Frozen Salmon On Grill?
Frozen salmon can be cooked directly without thawing, but it is necessary to be careful when grilling it.
Ingredients Needed For Grilling Frozen Salmon.
- Salt
- Garlic
- Black pepper
- Lemon/lemon juice
- Butter or olive oil
Procedure To Get Your Grilled Salmon Ready
- Preheat your grills to 400 degrees F.
- Melt your butter, and brush both sides of the salmon with it. You can also make use of olive oil.
- Chop your garlic and mix it with lemon juice.
- Add the mixed lemon to the salmon or soak the salmon in the mix; you can also add a bit of honey to improve the taste.
- Place your salmon on the grill with the skin facing down and allow it to grill for a few minutes, add salt, then keep turning it to prevent the skin from burning.
- Instead of placing the salmon directly on the grill, you can wrap it in heavy-duty foil before placing it on the grill grate.
- Check the salmon’s temperature after 15 minutes to confirm if it is perfectly cooked.
How Often Do I Flip Salmon On The Grill?
It depends on the type of grill you have. Flipping salmon on the grill is not necessary if your grill is a standard one of high quality and is mainly used for that purpose, but if not, you might need to flip it once the grill marks are formed, signifying that the side facing down is done.
Therefore, the skin should be the one facing the grill and not the flesh of the salmon.
How Do I Keep Salmon From Overcooking On The Grill?

It is a very easy task as all you have to do is to marinate your salmon for 1 hour in your desired marinade mix and place it in the middle of a heavy-duty foil well brushed with olive oil or melted butter. Then, wrap the fish up with the foil paper, ensuring the end is perfectly sealed.
Ensure you set the grill’s temperature from 380 degrees F to 400 degrees F, the standard cooking temperature for salmon, and allow it to grill for 10 to 15 minutes before checking it out.
Instead of marinating the salmon, you can oil it and sprinkle your ingredients on it after placing it in the aluminum foil.
Moreover, an overcooked salmon is above 145 degrees F, so you need to be conscious of the temperature of the salmon. You do not have to wait for your salmon to reach that temperature, as cooked salmon is evident from 120 degrees F.
How Long To Cook Salmon In The Air Fryer?
A salmon’s cooking duration depends on the type of air fryer you are using. A basket air fryer is faster than a conventional oven air fryer and requires 10 minutes to get salmon cooked.
However, you might spend more time cooking salmon if you wrap it in foil before placing it in an air fryer.
How Do I Cook Salmon With An Air Fryer?
The ingredients in this article are flexible so that you can come up with yours depending on your flavor taste. However, you can try out these ingredients as they give the salmon a brown color and a crispy taste.
Ingredients
- Salmon Fillets
- Salt
- Paprika
- Peper
- Garlic.
- Preheat your air fryer.
- Rinse your pre-cut salmon fillets properly but ensure the skin remains intact, preventing it from burning the flesh.
- Rub olive oil on each side of the meaty fish.
- Add adequate garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper to season it appropriately. (You can also add your flavor).
- Place in the air dryer and allow it to cook for 10 minutes.
- Check the temperature after 10 minutes to confirm it is perfectly cooked.
- You can also use a fork or knife to confirm the cooking state; once the skin flakes off at the point of being scraped with a knife or fork, it is done.
- Allow cooling before serving.
What Temperature Signifies A Cooked Salmon?
The standard temperature for a cooked salmon is 145 degrees F. However, it would help if you did not wait for your salmon to reach the temperature before removing it from the grill because salmon is a good conductor of heat and will keep cooking for a few minutes after being removed from the heat source.
You can remove the salmon from the grill grate once its temperature is between 125 to 135 degrees F, allowing it to finish its cooking process by leaving it to cool down for a few minutes.
The temperature of your grill is also important, so you must ensure the temperature remains between 390 to 400 degrees F.
What To Serve With Grilled Salmon?
A Grilled salmon can either be served with wine or side dishes, and they include;
- Chardonnay
- Dry Rose
- Pinot Noir
- Riesling
- Malt whisky
- Vodka
- Torrontes
- English Sparkling wine
- Honey Greyhound Cocktail.
Side dishes include;
- Thai Noodle Salad with Peanut sauce
- Bok choy
- Lemon Butter Broccolini
- Roasted Parmesan Rosemary Potatoes.
- Cilantro lime rice
- Coleslaw
- Roasted Parmesan Baby Potatoes.
- Noodle Salads
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Garlic butter green beans
- Basmati rice
- Grilled Carrots
- Mushroom Risotto
- Lemon Herb Couscous
- Honey Glazed carrots
Conclusion
Cooking salmon on a grill gives the fish a browny color, juicy taste, and a crispy texture, but this can only be actualized if the cooking duration is strictly adhered to.
Therefore, the cooking duration for a salmon with or without foil on a charcoal grill differs from that of a gas grill.