How long to broil salmon in oven

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Timing Salmon in the Oven
How to Broil Your Salmon
Checking for Doneness
Avoid Overcooking
Healthy and Easy
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Delicious Quick Easy Broiled Salmon Recipe
Is wild salmon better?
What is the best temperature for broiled salmon?
What is that white stuff that comes out of salmon?
Should I remove the skin from the salmon before cooking?
Do you have to flip broiled salmon?
How do you know when salmon is fully cooked?
How do I store and reheat salmon?
More Salmon Recipes to Try:
How long does it take for salmon to cook in oven?
Is it better to broil or bake salmon?
How long does it take to boil salmon?
How do you know when salmon is done broiling?

Karen Frazier

Karen is a freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience writing for an array of publications, including authoring several books.

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Contributor: Deidre Dykes

Deidre Dykes

Deidre is an avid writer with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature. She's worked as a freelance copywriter and fiction writer for over a decade.

Learn about our Editorial Policy.

Broiling is an extremely healthy way to cook salmon. Introducing additional fat into the fish by using a little extra virgin olive oil or a pat of butter is an option, but it is not necessary for the success of the dish. Broiled salmon cooks quickly, evenly, and has a simple, delicious flavor.

Timing Salmon in the Oven

It takes an average of 6 to 12 minutes to broil a piece of salmon, but this time will change depending on the thickness of the fillet or steak. A larger, thicker salmon portion (8 to 10 ounces) will take longer to cook through than a smaller one (6 ounces) might. A good rule of thumb is that a fillet will take about 6 to 8 minutes to cook per inch of thickness. The FDA recommends cooking all fish to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Broil Your Salmon

Measure the salmon fillets at their thickest point. For every 1/2 inch thickness of salmon, place the fish 2 inches from the broiler. So, for a 1-inch thick fillet, place the rack 4 inches from the heat source.
Before pre-heating the oven, place the rack the appropriate distance below the broiler in the top of the oven (in some gas ovens, the broiler is in a drawer below the main oven).
Place the fish, skin side down and rounded pink side up, on lightly greased foil for easy clean-up. If placing the fish directly on a pan, be sure it is oiled or sprayed with nonstick spray.
Drizzle the fish with olive oil and rub it in with two fingers. Sprinkle with herbs (such as dill, thyme, or tarragon) and a little salt and pepper for flavoring.
Place the fish in the oven.
Broil according to the thickness of the fish as outlined above - about 6 minutes per inch of thickness - and check for doneness at this point.

Checking for Doneness

Check the internal temperature of the salmon filets with a digital thermometer. If no thermometer is available, it is possible to check the salmon visually, but it involves sticking a fork into the filets and pulling them apart to check the texture of the fish. It should be flaky if it is done. If appearances don't matter, this is a perfectly acceptable option. If the salmon has to stay pretty, use a thermometer.

Start checking the temperature of the salmon 4 to 5 minutes before it is supposed to be done, according to its size. For instance, begin checking a 1-inch thick fillet at about 4 minutes or a 1/2-inch thick fillet at about 2 minutes. The fish will be done when the pink has changed from translucent to opaque with a little golden brown along the top where the element has caramelized the flesh. Remove the fish from the oven and let rest for 3 to 4 minutes.

Avoid Overcooking

Overcooked fish - even fatty fish such as salmon - becomes dry and extremely unpalatable. Adding fat or moisture by drizzling some olive oil or placing lemon slices atop the salmon can help somewhat to keep the fish from drying out, but it is still essential to watch the salmon closely so that it is not overcooked.

Healthy and Easy

Salmon is a rich source of the long-chain fatty acids called omega-3s as well as B vitamins, protein, and antioxidants. Studies link the regular consumption of salmon to a decrease in heart disease. Mustard, herbs (preferably fresh), or even honey can be added for additional flavoring, but aren't necessary. Sometimes, the simplest preparation is the best.

Broiled salmon is a fast way to get a nutritionally dense dinner on the table. This recipe will become your favorite way to eat salmon. It only requires four ingredients and you will have a delicious and perfect heart-healthy meal for your busy weeknights.

Love salmon love like me? How about trying more salmon recipes? I’ve got lots of delicious salmon recipes here on Primavera Kitchen such as Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe, How to Cook Salmon in the Oven and Easy Chopped Salmon Salad.

If you are looking for a quick and easy broiled recipe, you are definitely at the right place. I don’t know why I’ve never posted this recipe before. Broiling salmon is my favorite way to cook it and I’ve been making this recipe for years.

Salmon fits in to nearly any diet. It is keto and paleo friendly. It’s naturally gluten free, nut free and dairy free. We lightly season it to bring out the naturally rich flavors of the wild salmon so it’s low carb and Whole30 approved.

This broiled salmon is a highly nutritious choice with all the omega-3 fatty acids from this fish, making this recipe a heart-healthy option for you during your busy weeknights. This super fast method of cooking will help you get the recommended amount of fish every week.

I am sure you will love this recipe too because it is one of the fastest, easiest ways to prepare this healthy fish.

Delicious Quick Easy Broiled Salmon Recipe

The high heat cooks it quickly and evenly, giving the fish a crispy texture. Oh, and there’s no need to flip the fish! The secret here is to place a cast iron skillet under a pre-heated broiler for about ten minutes. When the cast iron is fully heated you place the salmon.

The contact of the cold salmon skin with the skillet will sear the skin and make it crispy and delicious. But if you don’t enjoy eating fish skin, you can easily remove it when you are eating.

It’s extremely important to use a well seasoned, good-quality pan. This ensures that the fish won’t stick to the pan. The cast iron skillet is oven safe so you can safely place it under the broiler. If you don’t have a cast iron, you can line a sheet pan.

Is wild salmon better?

I encourage you to make an effort to choose wild salmon when you are shopping. It has more omega-3s and fewer omega-6s (which are inflammatory). The calorie and fat content is lower and the overall nutrition is better in wild salmon compared to farmed salmon.

In addition, there is a lower environmental impact when you purchase wild salmon. A cheaper alternative is purchasing frozen wild-caught salmon instead of fresh. All you have to do is thaw it overnight in the fridge.

What is the best temperature for broiled salmon?

Most ovens have a broil function. This is the setting you want to use for cooking this broiled salmon.

When you press broil, the oven will heat to 500-550F. Ovens do vary by about 50 degrees. But at that high of a temperature, you don’t have to worry about the difference. It may mean cooking the salmon for 30 seconds more or less.

Because the temperature is so high, the salmon will only take eight to ten minutes to cook completely. When you broil fish, you will get a similar result as pan frying, with browned edges in a short amount of time.

What is that white stuff that comes out of salmon?

Sometimes while salmon cooks, a white liquid will come out of the salmon fillets. It might look concerning but not to worry, it’s perfectly safe to eat. The white liquid is called “albumin” and it’s just protein that solidifies as salmon cooks. If it bothers you, you can scrape it off.

Should I remove the skin from the salmon before cooking?

There’s no need to remove the skin before you cook it! The salmon skin gets so crispy and is quite tasty! For the crispiest skin, cook the salmon skin side down first.

Do you have to flip broiled salmon?

Another factor that makes this dish so easy is that you don’t have to flip it. You put it on the pan and season it, then let the broiler do the cooking.

It’s so fast and easy to make perfectly broiled salmon.

Put your cast iron skillet in the oven under the broiler for ten minutes. The cast iron will evenly cook the salmon and give it a great flavor.
Put the salmon in the skillet skin side down. Keeping the skin on will create a barrier between the tender meat and the hot skillet.
Season the salmon. You want to pour on some olive oil to keep it moist and then sprinkle with seasonings. I like red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, but you can choose others. Do not put fresh herbs under the broiler. They will incinerate at such a high temperature.
Cook for eight to ten minutes. Keep an eye on the salmon. At this temperature, it can quickly go from perfect to overdone. The flesh will turn pink and start to flake when it is done.
Splash with lemon juice and add any fresh herbs.

You can make it a complete meal serving with some delicious green salad or maybe you prefer to have it along with some roasted crispy green beans, roasted butternut squash, and Mushroom Cauliflower Rice Skillet. Either way, you end up with a complete meal, full of healthy nutrients to fully satisfy you and your family.

You will see that main courses simply do not get any easier, tastier, or more elegant than that. This quick easy broiled salmon recipe only requires four simple ingredients: red pepper flakes, dry parsley, salt, pepper, and a squish of fresh lemon juice.

The best part of this recipe is that you probably have all the ingredients on hand, but the seasoning of this dish is totally up to you. It doesn’t take much to make this dish perfect since salmon is already very tasty on its own.

How do you know when salmon is fully cooked?

The FDA states that once the salmon has reached an internal temperature of 145°F as its thickest part, it is fully cooked. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, look for the following:

Salmond flakes easily: Insert a fork at an angle just below the surface into the thickest part of the fish and twist. The layers of the salmon should easily separate from each other once it has cooked through.
Salmon looks opaque: Raw fish has a translucent and somewhat transparent appearance. When cooked, the meat becomes less see-through but should still glisten.

How do I store and reheat salmon?

Leftovers: Transfer leftover salmon to an airtight glass container and keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Or, portion them out into meal prep containers to have for lunches throughout the week. If you’ve got leftover salmon, you can use it in my Easy Salmon Salad Recipe, Easy Chopped Salmon Salad, and Low-Carb Salmon Burgers with Avocado Coleslaw. Simply chop it up roughly and add it to the recipes! Such an easy and delicious way to repurpose leftovers.
Freezing: You can freeze cooked salmon by placing completely cooled salmon in an airtight freezer-friendly container or freezer bags. Keep in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating: You can heat the leftover salmon in the microwave. Add a splash of water if you’re worried it will dry out. You can also reheat this on the stovetop. Add some olive oil to a hot pan and add the salmon to it. Cook until heated through.

More Salmon Recipes to Try:

Easy Cedar Plank Salmon: This has tons of flavourful!
Foil Baked Salmon Recipe: It is baked over a bed of asparagus. You infuse your salmon with lemon, onion, and dried oregano for a richer flavor.
4-Ingredient Pomegranate Glazed Salmon: The pomegranate glazed is amazing.
Spicy Butter Salmon in Foil: Easy, quick and delicious.
Salmon Chopped Salad: Perfect if you have salmon leftovers.

Preheat the oven on high broil. Place a cast iron skillet under a pre-heated broiler for ten minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and put the salmon fillet skin-side down on the heated cast iron pan.
Pour olive oil on top of the salmon and season it with red pepper flakes, dry parsley, salt, and pepper. Place the cast iron back in the oven on high broil and cook for about 8 or 10 minutes.
Before serving the salmon, top with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

HERE is a full list of salmon recipes that are great for eating healthier with good quality protein. And HERE is a list of delicious side dishes to go with this salmon recipe.
It’s important to pay dry the salmon so it browns nicely instead of steaming in the oven.
If you do not have a cast-iron skillet, use a sheet pan.
To check if the salmon is cooked through, use an instant read thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 145°F at its thickest part.
To store: Store leftover salmon in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
To reheat: You can reheat salmon on the stovetop or microwave.
To freeze: Freeze in a freezer-safe bag once the salmon fillets have reached room temperature. Freeze for up to 4 months.

Serving: 1/3Calories: 283kcal (14%)Carbohydrates: 4g (1%)Protein: 18g (36%)Fat: 19g (29%)Saturated Fat: 4g (25%)Monounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 62mg (21%)Sodium: 454mg (20%)Potassium: 481mg (14%)Fiber: 1g (4%)

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.

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How long does it take for salmon to cook in oven?

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place salmon, skin side down, on a non-stick baking sheet or in a non-stick pan with an oven-proof handle. Bake until salmon is cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes.

Is it better to broil or bake salmon?

Broiled salmon gets crispier on top than baked salmon, since the salmon is positioned closer to the oven's upper heating element, and that heating element is intense. Broiled salmon cooks fillets more quickly. A 6-ounce portion of salmon needs to broil for 7 to 9 minutes only (check it at 6 minutes, just to be safe).

How long does it take to boil salmon?

Bring slowly to the boil, uncovered, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes to bring out the aromatics. Reduce the heat a little more, until the liquid is barely simmering. Gently add the salmon fillets and cook for 5-6 minutes depending on thickness, until the fish is completely opaque.