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Easiest Ways to Cook Salmon for a Perfect Meal Every Time

Posted by Mary Watson | Published on 27th Nov 2025

Easiest Ways to Cook Salmon for a Perfect Meal Every Time

Salmon is a versatile and flavourful oily fish that can be prepared in many different ways, but if your cooking’s a little too enthusiastic, it’s also very easy to dry your salmon out and overcook it. Whether you’re trying salmon for the first time, or you’re just looking for fresh ideas, we’ve got you covered.

We’ll walk you through how to cook salmon perfectly every time, from grilling to baking or pan-searing, we’ll share simple tips to ensure your fish dinner is always juicy and delicious.

How to Cook Salmon: 3 Easy Methods

No matter which cooking method you prefer, there are a few essential tips to consider first. We recommend starting with fresh salmon. Frozen salmon works too, as long as you make sure it’s fully thawed before you start cooking. This will help you not overcook it, which is the biggest mistake people tend to make when cooking this oily fish.

How to Pan-Sear Salmon

Pan-searing salmon doesn’t take long at all, but it provides a crispy skin and tender, moist centre. Here’s how to do it:

Steps:

· Heat a pan to medium-high then add a tablespoon of oil.

· Pat the salmon fillet dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper (feel free to add extra seasoning if you’re going for something in particular, from sweetchilli salmon to lemon salmon).

· Place the salmon skin-side down in the hot pan (it’s important you wait for it to get hot) and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes, cooking until the skin is crispy.

· Flip the salmon and cook for another 2-3 minutes, depending on thickness. The salmon should flake easily with a fork but still be slightly translucent in the center.

This method is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cook salmon.

How to BBQ Salmon

Grilling salmon is perfect if you want a smoky flavour. Here’s how to BBQ salmon on the grill:

Steps:

· Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

· Brush the salmon fillets with oil and season them with your favourite spices or marinades.

· Place the salmon skin-side down on the grill. Grill for about 6-8 minutes.

· Flip the fillets and grill for another 3-4 minutes. The salmon should have beautiful grill marks and a flaky texture.

If you’re grilling the salmon already, we say grill everything! Nothing goes better than some grilled vegetables. Check out our youtube video on our seafood BBQ!

How to Bake Salmon

Cooking salmon in the oven is probably the easiest way, letting you actually leave the kitchen for a few minutes while it cooks itself. Perfect for family dinners!

Steps

· Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).

· Place the salmon fillets on a lined baking tray.

· Drizzle with olive oil and season with your choice of herbs, garlic, and lemon slices. Or check out our butters to add instant flavour and less faf!

· Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The salmon is ready when it’s flaky and opaque in the centre.

If you’re looking for a no-fuss method, baking salmon is definitely the way to go.

Our Final Salmon Cooking Tips

Cooking salmon doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re looking for more general tips rather than cooking methods, here are our top 3 things to consider:

· Avoid overcooking: Salmon cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to prevent it from drying out. The internal temperature of your salmon should be about 63°C.

· To Skin or Not to Skin: Cooking salmon with the skin helps retain moisture so we’d recommend it, but you can take it off before serving if you prefer.

· Experiment: Don’t be afraid to switch things up! Salt, pepper and lemon are classic choices, but you can experiment with glazes, spices and marinades to up your salmon game.

Buy in bulk and check out our collection of fresh salmon here.