Using foil while cooking fish is one of the most innovative methods for cooking it. Especially if you’re a newbie in the kitchen that’s looking for fool proof ways to cook your fish. Cooking salmon in foil just makes things easier. It creates a buttery, fresh, evenly cooked fish without having to be as precise. Moisture is preserved while flavor is exploded! Your fish won’t have any char marks either! The foil helps cook the fish faster and just all around better.
Another reason is that it’s a healthy way to cook fish. Yes, salmon is already a very healthy fish. But if you cook it in foil, you don’t have to use a lot of oil or butter to cook it. Just add herbs, a small slice of butter, and you’ll get a perfectly cooked fish packed with nutrients and flavors!
So below we’re sharing a few of our absolute favorite ways to cook salmon in foil. Try these easy, delicious foil cooking methods for any of your favorite salmon recipes and let us know what you think!
3 Ways to Cook Salmon in Foil
Again, cooking salmon in foil can be healthier compared to other methods. Whenever we talk about cooking salmon, in any method really, we always have to mention the importance of choosing quality, sustainable, salmon. It really goes without saying that the quality of your fish impacts everything from taste to the nutrition you receive. We 100% recommend Oshēn Salmon for those of you cooking at home. It’s sustainable, ocean raised, ocean loved, fresh, and absolutely delicious. Here are some of the best ways and a few tips for doing it!
How To Bake Salmon In Foil
So, the first thing we love about baking salmon in foil is that it keeps the moisture in. The foil seals in moisture and boosts the flavor even with very little seasoning! Also, we love to bake our Salmon because it requires little attention from the chef. You simply throw the salmon in, set the timer, and off you go. You’re free to prep other parts of your meal or sit back, relax, and pour yourself a glass of wine!
To bake salmon in foil all you need to do is know the cooking time and prep the fish before baking. Of course, not all recipes follow the same cooking time. However, as a general rule of thumb, you only need to bake a salmon in foil between 15 – 20 minutes.
Our favorite recipe for baked salmon is this Salmon Baked in Foil with Smoked Cranberry Chutney! It’s super easy and SO delicious.
How To Grill Salmon In Foil
We can all agree that fish can sometimes be a little difficult to grill compared to other meat. Especially salmon, because of its tenderness. If you’re a true salmon lover, you’ve totally experienced that sad moment when you go to flip your fish and it breaks apart. And no, we’re not complaining because that tenderness is one of the reasons we love it, right?
So, grilling salmon in foil reduces your chances of that tender deliciousness from breaking apart. The foil keeps it all wrapped together. In order to grill salmon in foil, we recommend that you wrap the salmon in foil with all your desired flavors. Use heavy duty foil, make a little pocket for your salmon, don’t wrap it too tight. Make sure there is room for the aromas to work into the moisture inside the foil and cook into your salmon. Also, make sure you preheat your grill. Wrapping it in foil also ensures that all parts are cooked equally – nothing is too dry or too soft. This makes the salmon fillets retain their juiciness and keeps the flavors infused.
Our favorite flavors for this can be found in this post on seasoning salmon fillets for grilling.
How To Steam Salmon With Foil
It’s common to hear baked and grilled salmon in foil, steaming your salmon in foil is somewhat new. Is steaming salmon in foil even a thing? The answer is a big, yes! Remember that aluminium foil is non-flammable and it keeps all the moisture in! So steaming salmon in foil is really taking that moisturized way of cooking to the next level.
Some recipes call for steaming your salmon in foil for 10 – 20 minutes, while others recommend only 5 – 6 minutes, which is when the water passes its boiling point. It really depends on your fish cut and size. Use your best judgement here.
Honestly, this method is also applicable to a lot of salmon recipes, and our favorites can quickly be found here: salmon cooked in a rice cooker!
Will you try cooking salmon in foil?
With the versatility of the salmon fillets already put to the test, the assistance of your handy dandy, trusty foil always makes cooking salmon even easier. And let’s be real, the clean up is easier too! No mess when everything is wrapped up in foil. Surely you will not regret the convenience of cooking salmon in foil. Also, for more salmon recipes and cooking tips follow us on Pinterest.
FAQs
However, some people may prefer the texture of pan-fried or grilled salmon over steamed salmon en papillote. Some of the healthiest methods of preparing salmon are pan-frying (searing), roasting, grilling, poaching, and baking in parchment paper.
What are the different ways to cook salmon? ›
You bet. Salmon tastes great when baked, broiled, or tossed on the grill; smoked, poached, or cast into stews; fashioned into fish cakes and burgers, added to salads or whipped up into dips and spreads.
What cooking method is best for salmon? ›
One of the easiest ways to cook salmon is in the oven, on a baking sheet. Simply lay the filets out on a sheet, rub them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them skin-down at 425°F. They'll cook quickly too - take a look after 8 minutes, and if the flesh is opaque and flakes easily, it's done!
Is it better to cook salmon in foil or not? ›
Cooking salmon in foil just makes things easier. It creates a buttery, fresh, evenly cooked fish without having to be as precise. Moisture is preserved while flavor is exploded! Your fish won't have any char marks either!
What are the three methods of cooking fish? ›
Broiled, poached, grilled, baked, raw – just a few of the many ways you can enjoy fish. First of all, when cooking fish, it helps to know what types of fish are better for certain preparations. For example, fatty and meaty fish (like salmon) are good for roasting and pan-searing.
Which way is better to cook salmon? ›
So, you want skin that is super crisp and flavorful, just as you would want with chicken. Starting your salmon skin-side down, and cooking it until it is well rendered, lightly browned, and crisp, and then turning the salmon to finish the cooking, will make for a terrific dining experience.
What is the best way to cook salmon without drying it out? ›
Wrap your salmon in a parchment packet with aromatics, citrus, veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil. The steam trapped in the packet will infuse the fish with flavor and cook it gently, making it tender and juicy. Bonus: The parchment packets only take about 15 minutes at 425°F and the cleanup is minimal.
What not to do when cooking salmon? ›
5 Common Mistakes That We All Make When Cooking Salmon
- Not removing pin bones. Fact: Most salmon fillets have pin bones in them. ...
- Mistreating the skin. ...
- Using the wrong pan. ...
- Overcooking your fish. ...
- Reheating leftover salmon.
Salmon does not need much seasoning to be flavorful. You can season it with just salt and black pepper or with a combination of lemon juice, fresh herbs, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, butter, minced garlic, and any other flavors you desire. 3. Dry the salmon to ensure crispy skin.
How is salmon traditionally cooked? ›
To know when salmon is cooked, insert a sharp knife into the thickest part of the flesh – if it's cooked through the knife will come out hot to the touch. Traditionally, a whole salmon is gently poached in a little fish stock or water in a fish kettle or a large roasting tin.
Flip the salmon over and top with the lemon slices, dill, and garlic. Pour the white wine into the skillet and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Serve the salmon hot with the pan juices spooned over the top.
What brings out the flavor of salmon? ›
Marinating salmon can add additional flavor and help the fish stay moist during cooking. Most marinades include an acidic element like lemon or vinegar which add a pleasant tanginess to the fish. Salmon is considered by some to be a "fishy" tasting fish because it is firm and high in fat.
How do you keep salmon from sticking to foil in the oven? ›
Coat the bottom of the foil with butter so the salmon doesn't stick to the foil. Add some lemon and squeezes, salt, and pepper to the foil as well.
Do you need to flip salmon in foil? ›
Using indirect heat*, place foil packet skin side down on the grill. Cook fish for 12 to 18 minutes, thickness of the fish will determine cooking time. Do not flip the packet! To check doneness, carefully open packet and check the thickest part of the fish, it should flake and have little translucency.
Do you cover salmon when you bake it in the oven? ›
Baked salmon is best when cooked at 425°F in the oven.
Even thicker fillets don't take long. We recommend baking the salmon uncovered. Simply rub the fillets with a little oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then place them in the roasting pan skin-side down before popping them in the oven.
What are the healthiest ways to cook fish? ›
Grill, broil, or bake the fish. Let the fat drip off during cooking. Avoid using the fat for gravy or sauces. See our fish fillet demonstration and get more tips on reducing exposure to contaminants in fish.
What is the healthiest salmon to cook? ›
There are many different types of salmon — specifically, five types of Pacific salmon and two types of Atlantic salmon. These days, Atlantic salmon is typically farmed, while Pacific salmon species are primarily wild-caught. Wild-caught Pacific salmon are typically considered to be the healthiest salmon.
What is the best way to cook salmon without losing nutrients? ›
Poached Salmon is the healthiest way to cook salmon and will be ready in just 10 minutes!
Is salmon healthier baked or fried? ›
If you're baking fish, use minimal amounts of a heat-stable healthy oil, like olive oil. Summary: By baking your fish, you'll likely lose less healthy omega-3 fats than if you fry or microwave it.
