Broil salmon skin side up or down

There are two schools of thought on the best way to prepare salmon, one that says it’s better skin side down and the other that says it’s better skin side up. Which is correct?

First, you should decide whether to keep the skin on in the first place – this depends on which cooking method you use. Baking salmon? You’ll want to read our article on whether to keep the skin on at all! 

If you pan fry the salmon then keeping the skin on makes perfect sense – not only does this lock in all of those wonderful juices but it also prevents your fillet from falling apart during cooking. Plus you can get it crispy!

So should salmon be cooked side up or side down?

The answer depends on three things: the thickness of your salmon, whether you are cooking in a frying pan or baking it, and what else is going into your meal.

When to Cook Salmon Skin Side Down

Side down: Best for Pan Frying or BBQ

If you want crispy skin, then cooking salmon with the skin side down for the majority of the cooking time will give you crispier results. This works best if you’re pan-frying it.

If your salmon fillet is particularly thick, or is cut into steaks rather than fillets, then you should flip it to skin side up right at the end. Towards the end of your cooking time, flip the fish skin side up for a few minutes to color and seal it and let the residual heat cook the other side of the fish.

Keeping the fish skin side down for the majority of the cooking time helps prevent overcooking as well, since the skin acts as a barrier to the high heat of the pan. It’s a natural heat diffuser!

On a BBQ or grill, you should flip the fish halfway, but keeping it skin side down at the start will help keep the fish in one piece before the midway flip. If you’re using a lid on your BBQ or grill, there’s no need to flip at all.

When to Cook Salmon Skin Side Up

Side up: best for baking or broiling

If you’re baking salmon and you want moist flesh, then flipping over so the top of the fish skin is exposed to heat will help seal in moisture more effectively. Since the oven will (usually) bake the fish evenly, there won’t be any hot spots.

This doesn’t work as well when you’re using thinner cuts of salmon because they tend to dry out faster. If you have thin pieces of salmon, which side up it is won’t really matter, but skin side up might end up being more moist. 

This is because the majority of the fat in salmon is next to the skin. When the fish cooks, the fat melts and seeps down into it – this can make your flesh more moist and tender. Bear in mind, though, that baked salmon skin will never get crispy – though it will make the flesh moist. 

If you’re putting salmon under a broiler then sometimes it’s best skin side up. Otherwise, the flesh may burn or overcook before the rest of the fish has had its chance to cook through.

In conclusion, skin side up is best for more even-heat methods like baking, broiling or for keeping the fish in one piece on a grill. Skin side down is the go-to method for a fillet that you’re pan-frying.

All of these methods are delicious and entirely down to personal preference in the end. What’s most important is that you don’t overcook the salmon!

This easy and quick broiled salmon with skin is marinated with simple lemon pepper seasoning, honey, and olive oil. The fish is tender and delicious and it's perfect for a healthy and delicious weeknight meal, more importantly, it comes together in under 30 minutes.

In fact, if you are not cooking salmon in the air fryer then the other fastest way to get it from the kitchen to the table is to cook it under a broiler (grill). Let me show you how to make this quick fish recipe for dinner in easy steps.

Salmon can be prepared in many different ways. You can grill it, bake it, or even fry it. But one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook salmon is to broil it.

Broiling salmon is a great way to get that perfect sear on the outside while keeping the inside nice and moist. I have seasoned my salmon with simple storebought lemon pepper seasoning, honey, and lemon with olive oil to help seal all the flavors from the seasoning into the fish.

This is a very simple recipe and a quick way to get dinner to the table using any seasoning you have in your pantry. The fish is marinated for just 15 minutes and it cooks for under 12 minutes too. This broiled salmon is a recipe you will love, salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients that are great for your health.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients for your quick broiled salmon recipe. Feel free to use any fish seasoning of choice if you don't have lemon pepper on hand.

Salmon fillets: I used salmon with skin on it as that is how I prefer to cook my salmon. I believe the skin helps keep all the juice that makes the fish tender. It is easy to remove the skin of salmon once it is cooked, but that being said, you can use skinless salmon if you prefer.

Lemon pepper seasoning: I used store-bought but you can use homemade if you prefer.

Olive oil: substitute with any other cooking oil of choice.

Fresh lemon juice

Honey: substitute with maple syrup or omit if you prefer.

PS: I haven't listed salt and pepper on the ingredient list because the lemon pepper seasoning I am using today already contained salt and black pepper. That said, if you will be using store-bought seasoning, make sure you read the ingredients so that you can season the salmon accordingly.

How to broil salmon with skin

Pat the salmon dry with a kitchen paper towel and transfer it to a bowl

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, lemon juice, and lemon pepper seasoning (add salt and pepper if using) until combined.

Pour the marinade over the salmon and carefully mix until the fish is well coated. Leave the salmon to marinate for at least 15 minutes, there is no need to place the salmon back in the fridge at this point.

Turn on the broiler to a high. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with oil.

Arrange the marinated salmon fillets skin side down on the baking sheet and place it under the broiler about 5-6 inches away from the heat.

Broil the salmon for 6-8 minutes or until browned and the internal temperature of the fish registers 140-145F.

When the salmon is cooked through, please remove it from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes (about 3 minutes) before serving.

Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy.

What can I serve with this recipe

Some of my favorite sides to serve with this easy and delicious fish recipe include roasted vegetables, orzo, seasoned rice, or a simple tomato cucumber salad. More sides to go with your fish are

Cucumber apple salad

Homemade oven chips

Air fryer gnocchi

Gorgonzola gnocchi

Lemon orzo salad with feta

If you are looking for the perfect fish sauce then you should try the following

Creamy dill sauce

Parsley sauce

Lemon butter sauce

How do I store leftovers

Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you would not be using the leftover up within 4 days, you can store it in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 4 months.

What are some tips for cooking salmon

Here are a few of my favorite tips for cooking salmon:

• Make sure your salmon is at room temperature before cooking. This will help ensure even cooking. Bring the fish out from the fridge about 15-20 minutes before cooking.

• Preheat your oven or grill before cooking the salmon. This will also help with even cooking.

• Do not overseason the salmon as it is quite a flavourful fish on its own. While salmon is able to handle a good amount of seasoning, it's best to keep it simple so that the flavor of the fish can shine through. That being said, don't forget to season first with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

• Cook the salmon skin-side down if possible. This will help the salmon stay moist and prevent it from drying out.

• Use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon. Salmon is best cooked to an internal temperature of 145F/60C. Whatever you do, make sure you do not overcook the fish.

Ajoke

This easy and quick broiled salmon is marinated with simple lemon pepper seasoning, honey and olive oil. The fish is tender and delicious and it's perfect for a healthy and delicious weeknight meal, more importantly, it comes together in under 30 minutes.

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 8 mins

Total Time 13 mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, British

Servings 4

Calories 322 kcal

• 4 Salmon fillets
• ½ Tablespoon Lemon pepper seasoning
• 2 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• salt and pepper if needed

• Pat the salmon dry with a kitchen paper towel and transfer it to a bowl

• In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, lemon juice, and lemon pepper seasoning (add salt and pepper if using) until combined.

• Pour the marinade over the salmon and carefully mix until the fish is well coated. Leave the salmon to marinate for at least 15 minutes, there is no need to place the salmon back in the fridge at this point.

• Turn on the broiler to a high. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with oil.

• Arrange the marinated salmon fillets skin side down on the baking sheet and place it under the broiler about 5-6 inches away from the heat.

• Broil the salmon for 6-8 minutes or until browned and the internal temperature of the fish registers 140-145F.

• When the salmon is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes (about 3 minutes) before serving. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy.

Calories: 322kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 34gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 75mgPotassium: 850mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 72IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

Keyword broiled salmon recipe, broiled salmon with skin, how to broil salmon

FAQs

How do you know when broiled salmon is done

The easiest way to know if your salmon is cooked is to use a digital meat thermometer. Salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145F/62C. Other ways include checking to see if the salmon is opaque all the way through or flakes easily with a fork.

Can I make this recipe without skin-on salmon?

Yes, you can use skinless salmon for this recipe. The cooking time will be the same.

Is it better to bake or broil salmon

Both methods are great for cooking salmon. Baking is a bit more gentle and slow, while broiling is quicker and gives the salmon a nice sear on the outside.

What temperature to broil salmon

This is dependent on the type of oven and the settings you have. The highest temperature of most broilers is 500-550F/260-288C. That said, if you feel the fish is cooking too quickly or burning then you can move the baking tray to a lower rack.

How long do you broil salmon

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon. For this recipe, I like to broil my salmon for 6-8 minutes. Cook A little longer if cooking salmon steak. If your salmon is on the thicker side, you may need to cook it for a minute or two longer.

More salmon recipe for you

Baked salmon in foil

Pesto butter salmon

Salmon coconut curry

Air fryer salmon with skin

Creamy Tuscan salmon

Parmesan crusted salmon

I hope you enjoy this broiled salmon with skin recipe. Please let me know how it turns out for you if you try it! Kindly rate the recipe 5 star and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox

Do you cook salmon skin side up or down?

Is it better to broil or bake salmon?