How to Tell if Salmon is Cooked

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Are you tired of overcooking or undercooking your salmon? Do you want to learn the secrets to perfectly cooked salmon every time? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide on how to tell when salmon is cooked will give you all the tips and tricks you need to become a salmon-cooking pro.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner cook, you’ll be able to cook up a delicious and perfectly cooked salmon dish in no time.

How to Tell if Salmon is Cooked

• Temperature: Use a meat thermometer and ensure the fish has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the fish.
• Appearance and Touch: Perfectly cooked salmon will have a light pink color and will be opaque throughout. The flesh will also start to flake when pressed with a fork. If the salmon has a bright pink or red color, it may be undercooked, while a pale color can indicate overcooking.
• Fork Test: Use a fork and try to flake the salmon. If the salmon flakes easily and the flesh is opaque, it is fully cooked.

How Long to Cook Salmon

The cooking time for salmon can vary depending on a few factors, including the size and thickness of the fish, as well as the cooking method used.

Here are some general guidelines for cooking salmon:

• Baking: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, skin side down. Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish.
• Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the salmon with a little oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the salmon on the grill, skin side down. Grill for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the fish is cooked through.
• Pan-searing: Heat a little oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon in the skillet, skin side up. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then flip the fish over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
• Air Fryer: Cook for 10-12 minutes at 370 degrees.

Dry Overcooked Fish

When salmon is overcooked, it can become dry, tough, and chewy. The flesh may be firm and rubbery, rather than flaky and tender. Overcooked salmon can also have a grayish-white color, rather than a slightly pink color. It may also taste bland, with a dry and mealy texture.

Overcooking can cause the natural oils in the fish to evaporate, resulting in a lack of moisture and flavor. In addition, overcooked salmon may have a slightly burnt taste or smell, especially if it was cooked at a high temperature for too long.

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How to Tell if Salmon is Cooked

Are you tired of overcooking or undercooking your salmon? Do you want to learn the secrets to perfectly cooked salmon every time? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide on how to tell when salmon is cooked will give you all the tips and tricks you need to become a salmon-cooking pro.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 13 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 249 kcal

Equipment

• 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

  

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• 2 salmon fillets 5-7 oz each
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

Pan Seared Instructions

• If the salmon has been refrigerated, allow it to come to room temperature for 15 minutes and dry the salmon completely using paper towels. If the salmon is added to the skillet cold, it is more likely to stick to the skillet.
• Brush the salmon with olive oil. Sprinkle the spices over the fish and rub them into the flesh.
• Place a cast iron grill pan or cast iron or stainless steel skillet on medium-high heat.
• Spray or drizzle the skillet with olive oil. Be sure the skillet is nicely coated. This will prevent the salmon from sticking to the pan.
• When the pan is hot, add the salmon to the pan with the skin side up.
• Allow the salmon to cook for 4 minutes. Do not move the salmon after you have placed it in the skillet.
• Monitor the sides of the salmon to determine the perfect time to flip. When the color of the side of the salmon has lightened about 3/4ths of the way up, it’s time to flip. This usually only takes 3-4 minutes.
• Flip the salmon.
• Cook skin side down for 4 minutes.
• Remove the salmon from the pan. Allow the salmon to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Baked Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Brush the salmon with olive oil. Sprinkle the spices over the fish and rub them into the flesh.
• Line a baking sheet (mine was 9×13) with parchment paper and add the salmon. Cover with another piece of parchment paper.
• Bake for 8 minutes.
• Remove the parchment paper and bake for another 2-5 minutes. Use a meat thermometer and ensure the fish has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the fish.
• Allow the salmon to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Air Fryer Instructions

• Pat salmon dry completely using paper towels.
• Brush the salmon with olive oil. Sprinkle the spices over the fish and rub them into the flesh.
• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the salmon in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry the salmon for 10-12 minutes at 370 degrees. Mine was ready right at 10 minutes. Use a meat thermometer and test that the inside of the salmon has reached 145 degrees.
• Allow the salmon to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1filletCalories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 34gFat: 13g

Keyword how to tell when salmon is cooked, how to tell when salmon is done

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