This simple salmon marinade adds a lot of flavors, whether it’s grilled, pan-seared, broiled, baked, or popped in an air fryer.
Salmon has a lot going for it. Salmon is a go-to for nutritious dinners and lunches since it is high in protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. And it’s now so widely available nationwide that you can eat it several times a week. Whatever sort of salmon you love, whether fresh, frozen, wild-caught, farm-raised, Atlantic, sockeye, or king, you don’t need much to make the tasty fish taste even better. However, a delicious marinade will suffice!
Marinades for salmon are quick and easy to make, frequently using items you already have. A good marinade should provide flavor through citrus, vinegar, sugars, herbs, spices, and other aromatics but not overshadow the fish. You can either remove the skin from the salmon before marinating it or leave it on. Salmon fillets and salmon steaks both benefit from a good marinade.
How to Make a Marinade for Salmon
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp orange juice
- 2 tbsp of lemon juice
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 4 teaspoons soy sauce (reduced sodium)
- 2 tbsp. lime juice
- 3 rings of red onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 spring fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf 2 tsp minced ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground fennel
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, finely ground
- 4 salmon fillets (each 6 ounces)
Tools
- Prep Bowls
- Olive Oil Bottle
- Electric Grill
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the marinade.
Mix the first 12 ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and turn to coat the salmon. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, rotating once.
Step 2: Drain and discard marinade
After removing the salmon from the bag, place it on a plate or baking dish. Make sure to dump the marinade after contacting the raw fish: it’s not safe to use.
Step 3: Grill or broil the salmon
Wet a paper towel with cooking oil to grill the salmon and lightly grease the grill rack with long-handled tongs. Place the salmon on the grill rack, skin side down. Grill, covered, for 10-12 minutes over medium heat. The fish should be firm and flaky to the touch when done. Broil the salmon for 10-12 minutes, 4 inches away from the flame.
Step 4: Serve immediately
Serve with your favorite side dishes after removing from the grill or broiler. There’s no need to rest salmon!
Tips for Marinated Salmon
How long should you marinate salmon?
Allow the fish to marinate for no more than 30 minutes if the marinade contains lemon or other citrus juice. If you leave it for too long, the citrus acid will change the texture of the flesh from complex to mushy.
Do you rinse off the marinade for salmon before cooking?
Before cooking the salmon, do not rinse it. You worked hard to add that flavor and want to use it wisely. However, after removing the fillets, discard the marinade. The marinade is no longer safe because it came into touch with raw fish.
What other marinades can you use for salmon?
When considering a salmon marinade, avoid overpowering the fish. Ginger and honey complement each other perfectly in this Gingered Honey Salmon. More ideas can be found in our marinade guide. While most are suitable for various proteins, the Northwoods, honey-garlic, and orange-spice marinades would all be excellent for salmon.
Can you bake marinated salmon in the oven?
Without a doubt! Here’s a quick tutorial on how to bake fish. One method is to cook the seasoned fillet on a hot skillet in a 450°F oven. Because the pan has already been hot, the first contact will help sear the skin, giving it an enticing, crispy feel. The flesh will readily peel away if you want to remove the skin.
What do you serve with marinated salmon?
Salmon goes well with roasted potatoes, asparagus, lemon risotto with peas, and fruit and spinach salad.
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