This frozen salmon grill recipe will save the day if you forgot to defrost dinner. Grilled frozen fish is possible and delicious. This is one of our favorite Traeger recipes of all time.
If you’ve ever wondered how to cook frozen salmon grill style it is totally possible, and delish. As a healthy dinner idea this week, just make a quick tray out of foil to keep it moist on the grate. Use a charcoal or pellet grill to make it to perfection. THIS is how to cook frozen salmon you’re going to love. (affiliate links present).
Salmon is a very popular fish that can be cooked in many different ways. It tastes great, is full of omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your heart, and you can get it fresh or frozen all year. But we’ve all been there: you almost bought too many frozen salmon fillets at the store, but then forgot to defrost them in time for dinner tonight. Right now you’re wondering if it’s safe to just throw frozen salmon on the grill.
The good news is that you can grill salmon right from the freezer! You might need to make a few small changes to how you normally grill, but cooking frozen salmon on the grill is easy, safe, and makes a tender, juicy fish that’s great for any summer meal.
In this guide we’ll walk through everything you need to know to grill frozen salmon like a pro, including
- Is it safe to cook frozen salmon on the grill?
- Tips for grilling frozen salmon fillets
- How to grill frozen salmon in foil packets
- What temperature and cook times to use
- Signs your salmon is done grilling
- Delicious seasoning ideas
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Frequently asked questions about grilling frozen salmon
Plus we’ll share a simple foolproof recipe to help you get started grilling frozen salmon on your barbecue. Keep reading for everything you need to know!
Is It Safe to Grill Frozen Salmon?
Cooking frozen salmon directly on the grill is 100% safe, as long as you take a couple precautions. Salmon, and fish in general, can harbor harmful bacteria and parasites. Typically, the FDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F to kill any potential pathogens.
However, grilling utilizes high, dry heat that kills bacteria very effectively Most food safety experts agree that cooking frozen fish to medium or medium-well is perfectly safe on the grill This results in a tender, flaky texture without overcooking the delicate salmon.
The main precaution with grilling frozen salmon is to avoid thawing and refreezing. Partial thawing followed by refreezing causes “temperature abuse” that can encourage bacterial growth. So only grill salmon that’s completely frozen or 100% thawed.
As long as your fish fillets go straight from the freezer to hot grill, grilling frozen salmon poses zero safety issues. Let’s get into the tips and tricks for grilling up the perfect piece of frozen salmon.
Tips for Grilling Frozen Salmon Fillets
While grilling fully frozen salmon is safe, it does require a few modifications from grilling thawed fish. Here are our top tips for achieving gorgeously charred, tender and flaky salmon fillets straight off the ice:
Go for smaller fillets. Thinner, smaller fillet portions will grill up much more evenly than a thick salmon steak or filet. Aim for individual 4-6 oz fillets about 1 inch thick.
Brush with oil. Rub down each fillet generously with oil before grilling. This helps the fish release easily from the grill grates. Avocado, olive, or grapeseed oil all work well.
Use a dry rub or marinade. Frozen salmon needs plenty of flavor, so coat it with a dry spice rub or quick 15 minute marinade before grilling.
Go hot. Crank your grill up to medium-high or 400°F. The high, dry heat will help sear and cook the salmon perfectly.
Allow extra grill time. Figure about 1-2 extra minutes per side compared to grilling thawed salmon. Check for doneness early and adjust time as needed.
Watch for sticking. Frozen proteins are prone to sticking on the grill. Keep a close eye on the fillets and use two spatulas to gently release if needed.
Rest before serving. Allow the salmon to rest 3-5 minutes off heat before serving. This allows it to finish cooking gently.
Pick the right seasonings. Bold flavors like garlic, chiles, citrus and herbs pair excellently with rich salmon. Avoid subtle seasonings that will get lost.
Follow these tips and you’ll have tender, flaky grilled salmon – even when cooking it straight from frozen! Next up, we’ll cover one of the easiest methods – grilling frozen salmon in foil packets.
Grilling Frozen Salmon in Foil Packets
For fuss-free grilled salmon with tons of flavor, try the foil packet method. Here’s how it works:
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Place your frozen salmon fillets in the center of a large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil.
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Top with sliced lemon, veggies, herbs and pat of butter. Easy options include lemon slices, baby potatoes, onion, garlic, cilantro, dill and capers.
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Drizzle everything with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
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Seal the edges tightly to make a well-sealed packet.
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Grill the packets over direct medium-high heat for 12-18 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
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The salmon should flake easily when poked with a fork when done.
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Open packets carefully to avoid steam and serve salmon and veggies together for an easy, full meal.
The steam created in the foil pouch cooks the salmon gently while infusing it with tons of flavor. It’s a great hands-off method for easy grilled salmon.
Now that we’ve covered the technique, let’s get into the details on temperature, cook times and how to tell when your grilled frozen salmon is perfectly done.
What Temperature and Cook Time Should You Use?
The right grilling temperature and cook time ensures tender salmon without overcooking. Here are the temperatures and times to aim for:
Temperature: Medium-high to high heat, 375-450°F
Cook time:
- 4 oz fillet: 6-8 minutes total
- 6 oz fillet: 8-10 minutes total
- 8 oz fillet: 10-12 minutes total
These times are for boneless, skinless salmon fillets about 1 inch thick. Thicker cut or salmon steaks may need up to 15 minutes total cook time. Always rely more on visual cues than strict cook times.
How to Tell When Salmon is Done Grilling
Salmon is easy to overcook, going from perfectly tender and flaky to dry and chewy in a matter of minutes. Use these visual and textural cues to determine when your fillets are done:
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Opaque coloring – The flesh should be opaque and pale pink throughout, with no translucent areas.
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Flakes easily – Use a fork to peek inside. Properly cooked salmon will flake into segments easily.
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Slightly firm – The thickest part of the fillet will feel slightly firm but still moist. If it’s mushy, it’s underdone.
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registers 125-140°F – For extra assurance, use an instant read thermometer to check the thickest area. Look for 125°F for medium-rare or 140°F for medium doneness.
Remove the salmon just before it reaches your desired doneness, as it will continue cooking off the grill as it rests. Let it rest 3-5 minutes before serving grilled salmon at its best!
Delicious Seasonings for Grilled Salmon
Salmon picks up smoke flavor beautifully on the grill. For added flavor, try one of these easy seasoning combinations:
- Lemon pepper and dill
- Brown sugar and chili powder
- Cajun seasoning
- Jerk spice blend
- BBQ rub
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano
- Teriyaki or soy sauce glaze
Spice rubs, marinades and glazes infuse the salmon with flavor. Brush glazes on just during the last 2-3 minutes to avoid burning.
Now that you’re a pro at grilling frozen salmon, let’s go over some common mistakes to avoid.
Mistakes to Avoid When Grilling Frozen Salmon
Grilling salmon from frozen can trip up even experienced grill masters. Watch out for these common pitfalls:
Undercooking – Take the salmon off the grill just before it reaches your desired doneness, not earlier. Remember it will keep cooking off heat.
Overcooking – Don’t walk away for too long! Salmon overcooks quickly. Stay nearby and watch it closely.
Uneven cooking – Rotate the fillets periodically and move them to cooler spots if cooking too fast. Watch for burning along the thinner edges.
Using low heat – Cold fillets need hot fire. Don’t be afraid to crank that grill up high!
Forgetting oil – Salmon is prone to sticking without plenty of oil. Remember to coat the fish and grates generously.
Saucing too early – Wait until the last few minutes to brush on any
Can you Cook Frozen Salmon on the Grill
Yep. I don’t know about you but when I find fish on sale I load up. Whether it is at the grocery store, fish market or it’s a special ButcherBox item I buy bunches. Not only is it heart healthy and great for my high cholesterol but my kids are even obsessed with seafood.
I will admit that I have shared how to cook frozen fish all sorts of different ways lately. Why?? Well because I am forgetful and don’t always remember to take it out the night before. That was once a problem but not anymore with these tips I have saved for myself and y’all.
People who are interested in food may have already seen this recipe for frozen salmon in the Instant Pot with butter and lemon slices. That doesn’t take very long to “steam” that way but you may not have that machine. Using the air crisp function you may have cooked air fryer frozen salmon a time or two too.
Now that it’s summer, we want to enjoy as much sun as possible, right? Especially if you live somewhere snowy, we want the sun, so grilling is the way to go. Don’t worry if you forgot to defrost your smoked salmon. We’ll show you how to make the next best thing.
How to Grill Frozen Salmon
Before you do anything else, separate any pieces that you have left over from your last trip to the store. If they aren’t already just run them under some warm water and pull those babies apart. Another way is to put them in a bag and lay them in cold water for a few minutes until they separate.
You can’t really get it to work unless they are all the same thickness, and smaller pieces also work best for that. Blot with paper towels to remove water from outside and follow steps below to continue.
Yep, we will show you how to do just that here. This isn’t just for frozen salmon; the same steps could be used for frozen cod, tilapia, catfish, or other fish. It doesn’t stick if you use tin foil to make a tray. Heat it this way for about 15 minutes.
How To Grill Frozen Wild Alaska Salmon
FAQ
Can you cook frozen fish on the barbecue?
Is it OK to cook frozen salmon without thawing?
What is the best way to cook frozen salmon?
How do you defrost salmon before grilling?
Can You Grill salmon from frozen?
Grape leaves are the secret to grilling salmon from frozen. They keep the fish from sticking to the grill — plus, they’re edible. Other bonuses of this quick method: The marinade freezes in place on the frozen fillets, making them easy to wrap and infusing them with flavor on the grill.
Is fresh salmon safe to eat?
Yes, salmon is a source of omega 3, the fatty acid is responsible for acting in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, making the heart strong and healthy. Just be careful to analyze the supplier to make sure it doesn’t have any contamination.
Can you cook frozen salmon without defrosting?
Since most frozen fillets are thin, you can safely cook them without defrosting in the oven, on the stove, on the grill, in your air fryer, or even in an Instant Pot. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to cook and season your frozen salmon with all of these methods. Dinner will be on the table before you know it!
How long does frozen salmon take to cook?
As it’s frozen, it will take a little longer to cook through. With six-ounce fillets, you’ll grill your frozen salmon for about four to five minutes a side. Gradually add more time for larger and thicker fillets, or decrease time for smaller fillets. 6. Cook frozen salmon in a foil packet for extra flavor.