How to Broil Salmon Recipe

Broiling Salmon Is Quick, Easy & Efficient

You may be asking yourself, did he say “broil” salmon?  Who broils anything anymore?

There are many great ways to cook salmon - roast, poach, steam, grill but why broil? I like to think of broiling salmon as upside-down grilling. There are a few differences, but each uses high, direct heat to cook the fish quickly.

So broiling is a good alternative if you don’t have a grill, it’s covered in 4 feet of snow, or you are short on time and don’t want to wait for the charcoal briquettes to heat up.

Basic Recipe

This is the most basic recipe you’ll find on how to broil salmon. I adapted it from a recipe I found online.

This is a good reference for those needing to become more familiar with this classic technique.

I say classic because I remember, as a kid, my mom broiled lots of our meals, although I wouldn’t say she had her technique down. Most of those meals were overcooked and dried out, which is easy to do if you are not careful and pay attention.

Nine Steps for Broiling Salmon

1. Preheat your broiler to high heat.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray or oil.
3. Rinse the salmon fillets under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
4. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Brush the salmon with oil or melted butter to avoid sticking and add flavor.
6. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper and any other seasonings you prefer, such as garlic, herbs, or spices.
7. Optional: You can also add a marinade or sauce to the salmon before broiling. Some popular marinades for salmon include honey mustard, soy sauce, and ginger, or lemon and herb.
8. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook for 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon fillets. Keep an eye on the salmon to avoid overcooking or burning it.
9. When the salmon is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

By following these steps, you can quickly and easily prepare delicious and flavorful broiled salmon that is crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Quick cooking time: Broiling is a fast cooking method that takes only a few minutes to cook the salmon.
• Crispy exterior: Broiling salmon gives it a nice crispy crust on the outside while keeping the inside moist and tender.
• Easy cleanup: Broiling salmon requires only a baking sheet and foil, making it an easy and low-maintenance cooking method.
• Versatile: Broiled salmon can be seasoned with various flavors and served with a range of side dishes.

Cons:

• Risk of overcooking: Salmon can quickly become overcooked and dry when broiled, so it's important to keep a close eye on the fish while it's cooking.
• Uneven cooking: Broiling can lead to uneven cooking, with the thinner parts of the fish cooking faster than the thicker parts.
• No control over temperature: Broiling requires the use of high heat, which can be difficult to control and can lead to burning if not carefully monitored.

How Long Does It Take?

Broiling salmon is a quick cooking method that takes only a few minutes to cook the fish. As with all cooking methods, the cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon fillet or steak. As a general guideline, salmon fillets that are about 1 inch thick should be broiled for 7-10 minutes, while thicker fillets or steaks may take up to 12-15 minutes to cook.

It's important to keep a close eye on the salmon while it's cooking to ensure that it doesn't overcook and become dry. A good way to test for doneness is to use a fork to gently pull apart the flesh in the thickest part of the fillet. If the flesh flakes easily and is opaque, it's done. If it's still slightly translucent in the center, it may need a few more minutes under the broiler.

What Temperature?

Most home oven broilers typically have a temperature range of 500°F to 550°F (260°C to 290°C). However, the exact temperature may vary depending on the make and model of the oven. It's important to preheat the broiler for several minutes to ensure it's hot enough to cook the salmon properly. When broiling salmon, it's important to position the oven rack close to the broiler element to allow for quick and even cooking.

Can You Control the Temperature in a Home Oven?

In most home ovens, it is impossible to control the broiler element's temperature separately from the oven temperature. The broiler element is designed to provide intense heat from the top of the oven to cook food quickly and create a crispy, browned exterior.

However, some high-end ovens may have broiler settings that allow you to adjust the intensity of the broiler element, which can affect the temperature. It's always a good idea to refer to the owner's manual for your specific oven to learn about its features and settings.

If you want more control over the temperature when cooking salmon, consider other cooking methods like baking or grilling, which allow for more precise temperature control.

How Close to the Flame or Heating Element Should You Place the Salmon?

When broiling salmon in the oven, the distance between the fish and the flame (or broiler element) is important to get the desired result. A general rule of thumb is to place the salmon about 6 inches away from the heat source. However, this can vary depending on your broiler's strength and the salmon's thickness.

If the salmon is too close to the heat source, it can burn and become dry. On the other hand, if the salmon is too far away from the heat source, it may not cook evenly and may take longer to cook.

To ensure even cooking and avoid burning, it's a good idea to keep an eye on the salmon while it's broiling and to adjust the distance as needed. If you find that the salmon is cooking too quickly or browning too much on one side, you can move the pan further away from the heat source or turn the fish over halfway through cooking.

Do You Flip the Salmon or Cook On One Side Only?

When broiling salmon, it's generally a good idea to flip it over halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and cooking. This also helps to prevent the salmon from sticking to the pan and breaking apart.

However, some recipes may call for only broiling the salmon on one side, especially if it's a fillet or a smaller piece of fish. In this case, the skin side is usually placed down on the broiling pan.

Ultimately, whether or not you flip the salmon during broiling depends on the recipe and personal preference. Just remember that flipping the salmon can help ensure even cooking and prevent burning, especially if you're broiling a thicker piece of fish.

If you start skin side down and flip it, will it crisp the skin?

Yes, flipping the salmon over and finishing it with the skin side up can help to crisp up the skin. This is because broiling salmon with the skin side up exposes the skin directly to the broiler's heat, which can help to achieve a crispy and slightly charred texture.

More Tips for Crispy Skin

• Make sure the salmon skin is dry: Pat the skin of the salmon dry with a paper towel before cooking. This helps remove any excess moisture, preventing the skin from getting crispy.
• Brush the skin with oil: Brushing the skin with oil before broiling can help to create a crispy texture. Use a high smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed oil, and lightly coat the skin with a thin layer.
• Season the skin: Season the skin with salt and pepper or other desired seasonings before broiling. This adds flavor and helps to enhance the crispy texture.
• Preheat the broiler: Allow the broiler to preheat for several minutes before cooking the salmon. This ensures that the broiler is hot enough to create a crispy texture.
• Place the salmon skin-side up: Place the salmon skin-side up on a broiler pan or a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the skin to crisp up and prevents it from getting soggy.
• Monitor the salmon closely: Salmon can cook quickly under the broiler, so it's important to keep a close eye on it to prevent overcooking or burning. Check the salmon after a few minutes and adjust the broiler temperature or the distance between the salmon and the broiler if necessary.

However, it's important to ensure the salmon is cooked before serving, so it's recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F (63°C).

What Type of Pan to Broil In?

The recipe and video show preparing the salmon in a cast iron pan, which is a fantastic cookware for broiling, but any ovenproof pan will do. We like to use a baking pan covered with aluminum foil in our house. It makes cleanup a lot easier.

Please be careful when you remove the pan from the oven. It’s going to be hot, so use an oven mitt.

As I said earlier, this is the most basic of recipes, but don’t let that stop you from coming up with ideas using some of your favorite fresh local ingredients. Below is the recipe. I’ve listed some alternative ideas for adapting this simple broiled salmon recipe that should give you some ideas.

And please visit my Pinterest page for more Cooking Techniques.

Great Sides Ideas for Broiled Salmon

There are many great side dishes that can be served with broiled salmon. Here are a few ideas:

1. Roasted Vegetables: Broiled salmon pairs well with roasted vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or carrots. Toss the vegetables with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast them in the oven at 400°F until tender and slightly caramelized.
2. Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables are another great option to pair with broiled salmon. You can use a grill pan or an outdoor grill to cook vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, peppers, or onions. Drizzle them with some balsamic vinegar or lemon juice to add some extra flavor.
3. Rice or Quinoa: A simple side of rice or quinoa can be a great accompaniment to broiled salmon. You can flavor the rice with herbs, lemon juice, or even coconut milk to add some extra flavor.
4. Salad: A light salad can be a refreshing and healthy side dish to serve with broiled salmon. A simple green salad with some cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a vinaigrette dressing can be a great option.
5. Sweet Potatoes: Roasted or mashed sweet potatoes can be a delicious and nutritious side dish to serve with broiled salmon. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and their natural sweetness pairs well with the richness of the salmon.
6. Fruit Salad: A fruit salad can be a refreshing and colorful side dish to serve with broiled salmon. You can use seasonal fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, or mango and dress them with a honey-lime dressing.
7. Sautéed Spinach: Sautéed spinach is a quick and easy side dish that pairs well with broiled salmon. Sauté the spinach with some garlic and olive oil until wilted and season with salt and pepper.

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

How to Broil Salmon

Let me show you my way to broil salmon

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: salmon

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 fillets salmon 6 to 8 ounces each
• 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 lemon quartered
• 4 sprigs dill for garnishing

Instructions

• Place the top rack of your oven high enough so when you place a heat proof skillet like a cast iron pan with the salmon fillets on it there will be 2-inch distance from the heat for every ½ inch thickness of salmon.

  So if your fillets are 1-inch thick, you’ll want them 4 inches from the heat. This prevents thicker cuts from overcooking on the outside before the center is completely cooked.
• Drizzle some of the oil on the pan and spread it around with the salmon fillets, skin side down. This will spread the oil around on the pan as well as coat the bottom of the fish.

  Use the remaining oil to coat the top of the fillets.
• Season with salt and pepper and place the pan on the top rack of the oven right under the broiler and broil for about 6 to 8 minutes per inch of thickness.

  One factor that will change the cooking time is when you take the salmon out of the refrigerator. If it comes right out of the fridge and into the pan, it could take a little longer so I recommend you try to take it out 10 - 15 minutes before you start cooking.
• Carefully remove the pan from the oven using an oven mitt*. The pan is HOT and I have made the mistake of grabbing a hot pan out of the oven without a mitt and it hurts, really hurts. So be careful.
• Check for doneness by looking at the color and checking for flakiness. It's not the same flakiness you find with white fish like fluke or flounder but as you can see in the photo above, there is a separation in the meat.
• Transfer the fillets to serving plates and sprinkle a little lemon & extra virgin olive oil on top of each fillet.
• Normally I would say let them rest for a couple of minutes before plating but I’m guessing it will take a minute or two to get them from the oven to the plate to the table.

Additional Ingredients For Broiled Salmon

Broiled Salmon with Herb Mustard Glaze - blend some garlic, rosemary, and thyme with a bit of Dijon mustard and oil and spoon it over the fillets in the last 2 - 3 minutes of broiling.

Garlicky Broiled Salmon - Drizzle with olive oil, garlic slices, thyme, and broil.

Honey and Soy Broiled Salmon - Combine some soy sauce with a bit of honey, then some rice wine vinegar, lemon juice, and a little minced garlic, and you have another great alternative.

Broiled Salmon with Tarragon Butter - Melt some butter, add some fresh lemon juice and fresh tarragon, and spoon over fillets after 2 - 3 minutes of broiling. Very elegant.

Broiled Salmon with Truffle Oil - Substitute one tablespoon of truffle oil with olive oil; you now have an entirely new dish.

Broiled Salmon with Blue Cheese, Lemon, and Dill - how about mixing some blue cheese with fresh dill, shallots, wine, and a little lemon juice that you can add to the salmon fillets during the last 2 - 3 minutes of roasting? Be careful not to burn the cheese.

Some of My Favorite Seafood Recipes