Do you grill salmon skin side up or down first?

First of all—skin is tasty! So when you’re cooking salmon, keep that skin on: It provides a safety layer between your fish’s flesh and a hot pan or grill. Start with the skin-side down, and let it crisp up. It’s much easier to slide a fish spatula under the salmon’s skin than under its delicate flesh.

Which side of fish do you grill first?

When you’re ready to grill the fish, place the skin-side down first directly over the hottest part of the grate. Let it cook in peace. Do not disturb it for a good 4 to 5 minutes. To test its done-ness, gently lift a corner of the fish with a metal spatula.

Do you grill salmon on both sides?

Place the salmon skin side down on the grill. There is no need to flip. Unless you have a well seasoned cast iron grill or one of the really cheap portable grills with thin grates, the flesh of the salmon will most likely stick. To avoid the “sticking panic” cook salmon skin side down and don’t flip.

How do you grill fish with skin on one side?

If searing is not on your grilling game plan, simply place the fish skin side down directly on the grate. Per inch of fish, the general rule is to allow 8-10 minutes of grill time. So, if your fish is two inches in thickness, grill each side for about six to eight minutes.

Do you cook salmon on high or low heat?

To get that delicious skin, make sure to cook your salmon skin side down on the stovetop over medium to medium-high heat. Also, make sure the fish is patted dry and comes to room temperature before placing it in the pan, both of these will help ensure that the skin gets super crispy.

How do you know when salmon is done on the grill?

Salmon will change from translucent (red or raw) to opaque (pink) as it cooks. After 6-8 minutes of cooking, check for doneness, by taking a sharp knife to peek into the thickest part. If the meat is beginning to flake, but still has a little translucency in the middle, it is done.

Do you bake fish skin side up or down?

Drizzle fish with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place on a rimmed baking sheet, skin side down if you’ve left the skin on. Roast fish for 10 minutes per inch of thickness, until the fish is opaque and tender when pierced with a fork but before it starts to flake.

How long does salmon need to be on the grill?

Salmon cooks quickly on the grill (usually no more than 12 minutes total), so don’t walk away or get distracted. The salmon will be medium-rare when an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion reads 120 degrees F. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow for some carryover cooking.