Written by After you have gone king salmon fishing, it’s time to cook your catch to perfection. You know your salmon is perfectly done when it’s moist and flavorful. If it’s dry, then you probably overcooked it. There are many ways to cook salmon, but no matter which you choose, an important step is to remove it from the heat before it looks fully cooked. If you’re new to cooking fish, it’s important to know that fish continues to cook for several minutes after removing it from the heat.
It doesn’t take long to cook salmon – in most cases, it takes less than ten minutes. With butter and the right seasoning, you will have a healthy dish in minutes. Let’s look at the different ways you can prepare your salmon and the benefits of each.
Pan-fried
You have already done the “difficult” part by catching the fish while you were on Action Alaska’s fishing charter. Alaska fishing is fun but takes skill and patience. Once your fishing technique has paid off, it’s time to cook a delicious meal. Pan-fried is a popular way to cook salmon because it’s easy to prepare and can fit perfectly into your busy weeknight. It exudes flavor from the fat you add to the frying pan, such as oil or butter.
When pan-frying, it should only take 6-8 minutes to cook. For crispy skin, it’s recommended that you first cook your salmon skin side down for three minutes before flipping it. If you’re not a fan of the skin, no worries. You can easily pan-fry without the skin. It just won’t be as crispy afterward. If you don’t finish your meal in one night, salmon can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days.
Grilled
Grilling is one of the healthiest ways to prepare salmon because it doesn’t require any fat during cooking. Salmon is one of the best fish to prepare on the grill because it won’t fall apart. You can place the salmon directly on the grill or wrap it in foil. A lot of people prefer the foil method, as it ensures the fish will be moist, flaky, and tender. The foil also locks in flavor. If you want a boost in flavor, you can dress your salmon in herbs, lemon slices, and spices before placing it on the grill. It should be ready in about 15-18 minutes.
This is a fast, healthy way to prepare salmon. It involves some extra steps and takes longer than pan frying, but it’s still a perfect meal to prepare on a busy weeknight. If you don’t have a grill, you can also broil it.
Baked
Another way to prepare your fresh-caught salmon is to bake it in the oven. You can bake it using a pan or parchment paper – both ways yield fantastic results. Baking is another healthy form of preparing your salmon, as it doesn’t require additional fats to cook. It takes longer to prepare than other methods, so it’s not exactly a quick dish to prepare on a weeknight. It takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes to bake. That isn’t long, but considering you have other dishes to make alongside your salmon, you may easily spend over an hour cooking.
In addition to a healthier dish, baking allows the salmon to get perfectly crisp on the outside, but moist and tender on the inside.
Poached
If you want a dinner that’s quick and healthy, nothing compares to poached salmon. Poaching involves cooking salmon in a deep fry pan or saucepan with simmering liquid. Many people use water infused with their favorite herbs and spices for calorie control. Others use broth or wine. Whichever liquid you use, it will be healthy and delicious. After 6-8 minutes, the result is a perfectly soft and delicate dish that can be eaten either hot or cold.
Visit Action Alaska
There’s no telling why fresh caught is better than store-bought fish. What we do know is when you’re ready for an Alaska fishing adventure, there’s no better fishing charter to book than ours. We offer a personalized sportfishing experience in Sitka, giving you a front-row seat to the magnificent beauty of southeast Alaska. For king salmon fishing, contact Action Alaska. Call 907.202.8923 to book your trip.