Grilled Pesto Salmon Recipe in Foil | Easy Salmon Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long to grill salmon in foil temperature? ›

The foil helps cook the fish faster and just all around better. Another reason is that it's a healthy way to cook fish. Yes, salmon is already a very healthy fish. But if you cook it in foil, you don't have to use a lot of oil or butter to cook it.

This grilled-salmon-in-foil method is dependable and stress-free because there's no flipping required, and the foil keeps the fish skin from sticking to your grill grates and causing a mess that can also result in the loss of your precious protein.

Internal temperature: Use an instant-read meat thermometer; the salmon should register 145°F (63°C) at its thickest part. Flakiness: When gently pressed with a fork, the fish should easily flake apart. Avoid overcooking, as it can dry out the salmon.

The salmon skin provides a layer of safety between the grill grates and the fish's flesh as it cooks. Keep a lid on it. Maintain a more consistent cooking temperature with the grill lid covering the fish as it cooks, creating the same environment as an oven.

That liquid protein escaping is a sign your fish is being cooked at too high a temperature, which also means you are likely drying it out. Keep things stovetop to a medium low, or even better sear on the stovetop then transfer to a hot oven to finish cooking in a more steady, even-heated environment.

The white stuff that oozes out of salmon is called albumin, a type of protein in the fish (other foods with albumin include eggs, beef and milk). You can't see albumin when the fish is raw—it only appears when the salmon is exposed to heat. As salmon cooks, the albumin turns from its liquid state into a semi-solid one.

You rinse the salmon.

The USDA cautions: “do not rinse raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. Bacteria in these raw juices can splash and spread to other foods and surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill harmful bacteria.”

Coat the bottom of the foil with butter so the salmon doesn't stick to the foil. Add some lemon and squeezes, salt, and pepper to the foil as well.

There are three important things you'll need to keep your salmon from sticking to the grill: heat, oil and patience. With only these things, you'll be able to place your salmon (and other flaky fish) directly on the grill without needing anything between them like a cedar plank, aluminum foil or even a fish basket.

What temperature should I set the grill on for salmon? ›

Heat the grill to medium-high heat (375 to 400 degrees F). Arrange the fish in a large piece of foil. Spread a big piece of heavy-duty foil over a baking sheet so you can easily carry the salmon from the kitchen to the grill. Lightly brush the foil with extra virgin olive oil so the salmon doesn't stick.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place salmon, skin side down, on a non-stick baking sheet or in a non-stick pan with an oven-proof handle. Bake until salmon is cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes.

You only want to cook the fish on the fleshy side long enough to reach your desired internal temperature 110°F (43°C) in the very center for rare, 120°F (49°C) for medium-rare, or 130°F (54°C) for medium.

Brush the flesh side of each fillet with about 1/2 teaspoon oil. Grease the grill grates and grill covered for 3 minutes per side. Scrape the grill grates clean if needed, then lightly oil them (use a brush or towel dipped inoil).