5 Easy Ways to Make Salmon Even More Delicious (2024)

Christine Gallary

Christine GallaryFood Editor-at-Large

Christine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, and she has worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW.com. She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. Follow her latest culinary escapades on Instagram.

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updated May 1, 2019

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5 Easy Ways to Make Salmon Even More Delicious (1)

Salmon is full of good fats and is easy and quick to cook, making it a great choice to have in your regular dinner rotation. But just having a plain piece of seared, baked, or grilled salmon can get boring quickly, so here are five easy ways to jazz it up!

1. Herbs

Herbs add a ton of fresh flavor that enhance the fish without overpowering it. Toss whatever herbs you have on hand with a little oil and citrus juice and you’re golden. Don’t have the time? A store-bought pesto is just fine too.

2. Breadcrumbs

A coating of crunchy breadcrumbs instantly makes salmon more like those guilty-pleasure frozen fish sticks. Dip salmon fillets in beaten egg or brush with a mustard-mayo mixture before coating in fresh breadcrumbs or panko, then pan fry or bake until golden brown. Feel free to add some of your favorite herbs and spices to the breadcrumbs too.

3. Compound Butter

Is there anything that butter doesn’t make better? Mix butter with lemon zest and black pepper or some Creole seasoning and place a pat on the salmon fillet after it’s cooked. This flavorful butter will melt and mingle with the salmon juices, creating an instant sauce to sop up with some bread or rice. In fact, make extra compound butter and freeze it in small portions to make life even easier.

4. Yogurt or Crème Fraîche Sauce

A creamy but slightly tangy sauce works really well with salmon, and it’s why sour cream-dill sauce over salmon is such a classic. Try mixing in curry powder, Sriracha, or scallions into yogurt or crème fraîche for an easy, elegant salmon topper.

5. Glaze or Marinade

Finally, a glaze or marinade made with condiments you probably already have in the fridge is a simple way to infuse the salmon with different flavors. If the glaze or marinade has sugar, it’ll help the salmon caramelize on the outside even more as it’s cooking.

How do you like to make your salmon more tasty? We’d love to know in the comments!

5 Easy Ways to Make Salmon Even More Delicious (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to salmon to make it taste better? ›

What are the best flavors for salmon? But like all fish, salmon is a little delicate and also works well with more subtle flavors like fresh herbs and citrus. If you're looking to go the simple route with your salmon, zest or juice a lemon to bring out the richness of your fish.

What is the tastiest way to cook salmon? ›

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.

How do you enhance the taste of salmon? ›

Spices: Dried spices, such as onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin, can add depth of flavor to salmon. Smoked paprika or sweet paprika can add smokiness to the salmon. To add heat, try chili powder, cayenne pepper, jerk seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or Chinese five-spice powder.

How do you get the most flavor out of salmon? ›

So the results were in—the fat in salmon oxidizes when it is exposed to the air as well as to heat, so the longer the cook (or re-cook), the stronger the flavor. For the mildest flavor, cook salmon and other fatty fish as briefly as possible (consider gentle poaching).

What seasonings go well on salmon? ›

Ingredients for Salmon Seasoning
  • Brown sugar. This is going to add a much desired layer of sweetness to your fish, and a nice texture to your final product.
  • Black pepper. I highly recommend cracking some fresh pepper when it's time to blend your seasoning.
  • Sea salt. ...
  • Dried basil. ...
  • Garlic powder. ...
  • Smoked paprika. ...
  • Lime zest.
Dec 26, 2023

What is the secret to the best 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.

Does salmon taste better with butter or oil? ›

Butter makes everything better, and the oil is key for helping create the crispy exterior. Make sure to use an oil with a high smoke point like canola, grapeseed, or avocado oil to avoid burning it. Lemon. A finishing squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds freshness and brightness.

What not to do when cooking salmon? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Salmon
  1. Not removing the pin bones. ...
  2. Seasoning the fish too soon before cooking. ...
  3. Removing the salmon skin before cooking (with one exception). ...
  4. Cooking the fish skin-side up. ...
  5. Leaving the fish on the heat for too long.

Is it better to bake or pan fry salmon? ›

For smaller, crispy, skin-on Salmon; a crispy pan sear is recommended. For bigger fillets, and succulent, skin-off King Salmon; the best method would be cooking in an oven.

What makes salmon so tasty? ›

It's rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and many essential vitamins and minerals. Salmon has a distinct, rich flavor that is often described as "umami." There are several different species of salmon, and each has its own unique taste and texture.

What flavors go well with salmon? ›

Citrus — I attest to the zest, because there are few things like the big and effortlessly sunny flavors of lemon, lime, grapefruit and orange to turn up the salmon flavor essence.

What kills the fishy taste in salmon? ›

Also, you can marinate the fish in a mixture of lemon juice, vinegar, and water for 30 minutes. This will help to neutralize the fishy taste. Cooking the fish using a cooking method that will not allow the fishy flavor to become pronounced, such as grilling, baking, or steaming can help as well.

What is the best way to cook salmon without drying it out? ›

Use a “barrier”: This tip will come in handy when you're baking fillets. Olive oil, butter, or even a sauce can serve as a protective barrier between the salmon and the heat, allowing it to cook without losing too much moisture. Herbs, vegetables, and lemon slices can also be used to to fillets as they cook.

Why cook salmon in milk? ›

Forget oil. Poaching your fish in milk will up your flavor, texture, and creaminess. You've most likely been poaching your fish in wine, butter, or oil.

How do you disguise the taste of salmon? ›

This can be done by cooking the fish in foil or by adding other ingredients to the recipe that will help to mask the strong fishy taste of the fish. Also, you can marinate the fish in a mixture of lemon juice, vinegar, and water for 30 minutes. This will help to neutralize the fishy taste.

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