How to Cook Frozen Salmon

Cook Frozen Salmon Step 19 Version 2.jpg

Having a bag of salmon fillets in the freezer guarantees that you can throw together a fast meal. Since most fillets are thin, you can safely cook them without defrosting them first. Just decide if you want to make them on the stove, in the oven, or on the grill. While the salmon is cooking, you can prep flavorful sides. Dinner will be on the table before you know it!

[Edit]Ingredients

  • 2 frozen salmon fillets, about each
  • of melted butter or olive oil
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons (4 to 6 g) of your favorite spice mix

Makes 2 servings

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Roasting Frozen Salmon in the Oven

  1. Preheat the oven to and rinse 2 salmon fillets under cold water. Remove 2 frozen salmon fillets from their packaging and rinse them under the tap just until pieces of ice melt off.[1]
    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 7 Version 2.jpg
  2. Pat the salmon dry and brush each side with melted butter. Use a paper towel to pat the moisture off of the fillets. Then, melt of butter into a small dish and dip a pastry brush into it. Brush each side of the salmon with the butter.[2]

    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    • If you prefer to use a different cooking fat, you could use regular olive (also called light), canola, or coconut oil.
  3. Put the fillets skin-side down into a pan and season the fish. You can use any herbs or spices you like. For a simple seasoning, sprinkle 1 teaspoon (5 g) of kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of dried thyme over the fillets.[3]

  4. Cover the baking dish and cook the salmon for 10 minutes. Cover the baking dish tightly so no steam can escape as the fish cooks. Put the dish in the preheated oven and cook the salmon until it releases liquid.[4]

    • Covering the pan as the fish starts to cook will help it stay tender and prevent it from drying out.
  5. Uncover the salmon and bake it for another 20 to 25 minutes. Wear oven mitts to peel the sheet of aluminum foil off of the dish and ensure that the escaping steam doesn't burn you. Roast the uncovered salmon until it reaches with an instant-read thermometer.[5]

    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 11 Version 2.jpg
    • If your fillets are thin [under ], check them after 20 minutes. Wait until closer to 25 minutes if the fillets are over thick.
  6. Remove the salmon and rest it for 3 minutes before serving. Set the baking dish on a rack and leave the fish to rest. The fillets will finish cooking and will reabsorb some of the liquid. Then, transfer the fillets to plates and serve the fish with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, steamed rice, or a garden salad.[6]
    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 12 Version 2.jpg
    • Refrigerate leftover salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.

[Edit]Pan-Searing Frozen Salmon

  1. Heat a skillet over medium-high and rinse 2 salmon fillets under cold water. Set a heavy skillet on the stove and turn the burner on while you get the salmon out of the freezer. Remove it from the packaging. Run cold water in the sink and hold the fillets under the tap until pieces of ice melt off of the fish.[7]

    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • You can use a nonstick or cast-iron skillet.
  2. Pat the salmon fillets with a paper towel and brush them with oil. Dry each side of the salmon with the paper towel and set them on a plate. Then, brush each side with olive oil. This will season the salmon and prevent it from sticking to the skillet.[8]

    • Drying the salmon will help the skin crisp in the skillet.
  3. Place the fillets in the skillet and cook them for 3 to 4 minutes. Lay the salmon into the hot skillet so they're flesh-side down. Keep the lid off of the skillet and cook the salmon over medium-high heat until the flesh has browned.[9]

    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • You can carefully shake the pan a few times as the salmon cooks to loosen the salmon and keep it from sticking.
  4. Flip the fillets and season them. Use a spatula to carefully flip each fillet over in the skillet. Then, sprinkle the fish with 2 teaspoons (4 g) of equal amounts of onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper if you'd like a smoky, spicy flavor.[10]

    • Alternatively, you could use your favorite spice blend, such as Old Bay, cajun seasoning, or dry barbecue rub.
  5. Cover the skillet and cook the salmon for 5 to 8 minutes over medium heat. Set the lid on the skillet so it traps moisture and prevents the fish from drying out. Then, turn the burner down to medium and cook the fish until it's flaky in the center. To ensure the fish is done, you can insert an instant-read thermometer to see if the fish reaches .[11]
    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 5 Version 2.jpg
  6. Rest the salmon for 3 minutes before you serve it. Move the fillets to serving plates and get out side dishes while the fish rests. Try serving the pan-seared salmon with stir-fried vegetables, roasted potatoes, or wild rice.
    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    • Refrigerate leftover salmon in an airtight container. You can store the fish for up to 3 to 4 days.

[Edit]Grilling Frozen Salmon

  1. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to high. If you're using a gas grill, turn the burners to high. If you're using a charcoal grill, fill a chimney with briquettes and light them. Dump the briquettes onto the grill once they're hot and lightly covered with ash.[12]

    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 13 Version 2.jpg
    • If you'd like your salmon to have a smoked flavor, add a handful of soaked woodchips to the grill.
  2. Rinse 2 frozen salmon fillets under cold water. Get out 2 fillets that are about each and remove them from their packaging. Run cold tap water and hold the fillets under the water so ice on the surface of the fish melts.[13]

    • You can also use salmon steaks that are around the same size.
  3. Pat the salmon dry and brush it with olive oil. Take a paper towel and pat each side of the salmon with it to remove moisture. Pour of olive oil into a small dish and dip a pastry brush into it. Brush each side of the salmon with the oil.[14]

    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 15 Version 2.jpg
    • If you don't have olive oil, use vegetable, canola, or coconut oil, since these can withstand the high heat of the grill.
    • The oil will prevent the salmon from sticking to the grill grate.
  4. Season your salmon with 1 tablespoon (6 g) of a dry rub. You can use your favorite seasoning rub or mix up a barbecue dry rub. Combine 1 teaspoon (4 g) of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon (2 g) of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of garlic powder, and a pinch of ground black pepper.[15]

  5. Lay the salmon on the grill and cook it for 3 to 4 minutes. Place the fish skin-side down on the grate and put the lid on the grill. Leave the salmon to cook without turning it or lifting the lid.[16]

    • The skin shouldn't stick to the grill because you oiled it.
  6. Flip the salmon and grill it for another 3 to 4 minutes. Wear oven mitts to lift off the lid and use a spatula to carefully flip each fillet over. Put the lid back on the grill and let the fish finish cooking.[17]

    • You should see definite grill marks on the salmon skin once you flip it over.
  7. Remove the salmon once it reaches and rest it for 3 minutes. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a salmon fillet. You can transfer the fish to a serving platter once the fish reaches and let it rest a few minutes while you get side dishes ready.[18]
    Cook Frozen Salmon Step 19 Version 2.jpg
    • Store leftover grilled salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.


[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

  • If you'd like to cook a long salmon fillet instead of individual fillets, increase the cooking time by at least 5 minutes before you check the fish.

[Edit]Things You'll Need

[Edit]Pan-Seared Salmon

  • Heavy skillet
  • Paper towels
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spatula
  • Serving plate

[Edit]Oven-Roasted Salmon

  • Paper towels
  • Baking dish
  • Aluminum foil
  • Pastry brush
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spatula
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Serving plate

[Edit]Grilled Salmon

  • Paper towels
  • Measuring spoons
  • Pastry brush
  • Grill
  • Spatula
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Serving plate

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

  1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-frozen-salmon-247238
  2. ↑ https://healthyrecipesblogs.com/baked-salmon/
  3. ↑ https://healthyrecipesblogs.com/baked-salmon/
  4. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-frozen-salmon-247238
  5. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-frozen-salmon-247238
  6. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-frozen-salmon-247238
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/pIv16QYUIMs?t=29
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/pIv16QYUIMs?t=48
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/pIv16QYUIMs?t=61
  10. ↑ https://www.africanbites.com/oven-baked-salmon/
  11. ↑ https://youtu.be/pIv16QYUIMs?t=84
  12. ↑ https://youtu.be/vFE1DSYjVTc?t=106
  13. ↑ https://www.top40recipes.com/Frozen-Salmon-Cooking-Time-Instructions-For-Grilling-Baking.html
  14. ↑ https://www.top40recipes.com/Frozen-Salmon-Cooking-Time-Instructions-For-Grilling-Baking.html
  15. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a15720/bbq-rub-salmon-recipe-ghk0614/
  16. ↑ https://www.top40recipes.com/Frozen-Salmon-Cooking-Time-Instructions-For-Grilling-Baking.html
  17. ↑ https://www.top40recipes.com/Frozen-Salmon-Cooking-Time-Instructions-For-Grilling-Baking.html
  18. ↑ https://www.top40recipes.com/Frozen-Salmon-Cooking-Time-Instructions-For-Grilling-Baking.html

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