Salmon Recipes

Salmon is a versatile and nutritious fish that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Here are three beginner-friendly recipes to get you started with cooking salmon at home.

1. Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Season the Salmon:
   • Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels.
   • Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the Pan:
   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook the Salmon:
   • Place the salmon fillets skin-side up in the pan.
   • Cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
   • Flip the fillets and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
4. Make the Sauce:
   • Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside.
   • Add butter to the same pan. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
   • Stir in lemon juice and cook for another minute.
5. Serve:
   • Pour the lemon butter sauce over the salmon fillets.
   • Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.

2. Baked Honey Mustard Salmon

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Marinade:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
3. Season and Marinate the Salmon:
   • Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish.
   • Season with salt and pepper.
   • Pour the honey mustard marinade over the salmon, ensuring they are well coated.
4. Bake the Salmon:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
5. Serve:
   • Garnish with fresh dill if desired and serve immediately.

3. Grilled Teriyaki Salmon

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 green onion, chopped (optional)
• Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Marinade:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
2. Marinate the Salmon:
   • Place the salmon fillets in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish.
   • Pour the teriyaki marinade over the salmon, ensuring they are well coated.
   • Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
3. Preheat the Grill:
   • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
4. Grill the Salmon:
   • Remove the salmon from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
   • Season with salt and pepper.
   • Place the salmon fillets on the grill, skin-side down.
   • Grill for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the salmon is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
5. Serve:
   • Garnish with chopped green onion and sesame seeds if desired.
   • Serve immediately.

Tips for Perfect Salmon:

• Freshness: Always use fresh salmon for the best flavor and texture.
• Cooking Time: Salmon cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking. It’s done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in the center.
• Flavor Variations: Experiment with different herbs, spices, and sauces to customize your salmon dishes.

Enjoy these simple yet delicious salmon recipes for a nutritious and satisfying meal!