Simple pantry items are all you need to give salmon big flavor in just 30 minutes. This easy salmon marinade is savory, spicy, fresh, and will make your fillets taste the best!
It can be cooked in a number of different ways, is full of healthy nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and more, and each piece cooks in less than 10 minutes.
Sure, salmon tastes nice enough with salt and pepper, but it can get a little dull.
A quick, easy, and very effective way to make salmon taste like it came from a restaurant is to marinate it.
Salmon is one of the most popular and nutritious fish available It’s rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein Marinating salmon before cooking is a great way to add extra flavor. But can you marinate previously frozen salmon fillets? The short answer is yes!
Marinating frozen salmon is an easy process It allows you to conveniently prepare the fish ahead of time and infuse it with delicious flavors While marinating thawed salmon allows better absorption, marinating frozen salmon can still make a noticeable difference.
Follow these simple tips for successfully marinating frozen salmon fillets
Thaw Salmon Before Marinating
For best results, thaw the frozen salmon before marinating. Thawed fish will absorb more marinade flavor than completely frozen fillets.
To safely thaw:
- Place frozen salmon in refrigerator overnight
- Submerge sealed bag of salmon in cold water for 2-3 hours
- Microwave on defrost setting if salmon is sealed in a watertight bag
Thaw just until salmon is soft enough for marinade to permeate flesh.
Choose a Marinade That Complements Salmon
Think about flavors that pair well with salmon’s richness. Bright, acidic marinades help balance and bring out salmon’s taste.
Popular marinade ingredients:
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice
- Vinegar
- Wine
- Soy sauce
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Herbs like dill, parsley, basil
- Spices like salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder
Build marinades with oil, acid, and seasonings. For example, combine olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
Marinate for 30 Minutes to 2 Hours
The marinating time depends on thickness of salmon fillets. For most fillets, marinate 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Longer marinating times can make the texture mushy.
- 1 inch thick fillets – marinate 30 mins
- 1.5 inch thick fillets – marinate 1 hour
- 2 inch thick fillets – marinate 2 hours
Turn fillets over halfway through marinating to evenly distribute flavors.
Marinate in Shallow Dish or Resealable Bag
Choose a shallow, non-reactive dish like glass or stainless steel. Make sure salmon fillets lay flat so the marinade covers all surfaces.
Alternatively, place fillets in a large resealable plastic bag. Add marinade and seal bag, removing excess air. Gently turn bag to distribute marinade.
Keep Marinated Salmon Refrigerated
Always marinate thawed salmon in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. Refrigeration prevents bacterial growth and keeps fish safe.
Cover dish or seal bag tightly before refrigerating. Turn bag periodically while marinating.
Rinse and Pat Dry Before Cooking
Rinse marinated salmon fillets under cold water to remove any bits of garlic, herb leaves, etc. Pat dry with paper towels.
Removing excess marinade allows salmon to caramelize and brown properly when cooked. It also prevents smoking from sugars burning.
Cook Marinated Salmon Thoroughly
Always cook fish to safe internal temperatures. Salmon should reach 145°F as measured by a food thermometer.
Quick cooking methods like grilling, broiling or pan searing work best to lock in moisture and flavor. Bake, poach or roast for more gentle heat.
Consider Marinating Unfrozen Salmon
While you can marinate previously frozen salmon, even better flavor results come from marinating fresh salmon. The flesh absorbs marinade better when raw and unfrozen.
Plan ahead by marinating fresh salmon directly from the store. Or simply thaw frozen fillets in the refrigerator 1-2 days before preparing the dish.
Handling Leftover Marinated Salmon
Only marinate the salmon you plan to eat within the next couple days. Don’t save leftovers of already-marinated fish.
To save extra fresh salmon to marinate later:
-
Portion salmon into single servings and place in freezer bags. Squeeze out air and seal.
-
Prepare marinade and pour into freezer bags. Seal bags.
-
Thaw marinated salmon portions in the refrigerator before cooking.
Tips for the Best Marinated Salmon
Follow these tips for optimal flavor and food safety:
- Always thaw frozen salmon before marinating
- Marinate for short times to prevent mushy texture
- Turn fillets during marinating
- Marinate in the refrigerator
- Remove excess marinade before cooking
- Cook marinated salmon to safe internal temperature
Go-To Marinade Recipes
Try these easy homemade marinades that pair wonderfully with salmon:
Lemon Herb Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Soy Ginger Marinade
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Citrus Chili Marinade
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Zest and juice of 1 orange
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
With a little planning and prep, marinating frozen salmon can be easy and delicious. Use these tips to add mouthwatering flavor to convenient frozen fillets. Whip up a simple marinade tonight to enjoy salmon at its flavorful best. Just thaw, marinate, and cook for a fuss-free weeknight meal.
Salmon Marinating Tips and Tricks
- Marinate Salmon for 30 Minutes or Up to 1 Hour. The fish can start to cure if you marinate it for longer. This means that the marinade will cook the fish itself.
- Room Temperature. You can leave the salmon at room temperature for 30 minutes while marinating it. If you want to marinate it for longer, put it in the fridge. Prior to cooking, let the salmon stand at room temperature.
- Work with What You’ve Got. You decide what else goes into marinades. They need salt, acid, and fat. Use a pinch of salt instead of soy sauce if you don’t have any. No Dijon? Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice. Add Italian herbs like parsley if you like. If you like things spicy, add red pepper flakes.
- DO NOT OVERCOOK THE SALMON. It doesn’t matter how you cook the fish or how carefully you marinate it; if you cook it too long, it will taste dry. To find out if your salmon is done,
More Ways to Season Salmon
Here are some additional ideas of what to season your salmon with:
- To Store. Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to two days in a container that won’t let air in.
- To Reheat. Warm up the salmon very slowly in the microwave or in a skillet over medium-low heat on the stove.
- To Freeze. Salmon can be frozen for up to three months in a container that keeps air out and is safe for freezing. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How To Cook Salmon From Frozen
FAQ
Can you thaw and marinate fish at the same time?
Is it OK to cook frozen salmon without thawing?
Can you marinate while frozen?
How to marinate frozen fish fillet?
Can You marinate frozen salmon?
Marinades for salmon are super easy to make, often utilizing ingredients you already have in the kitchen. A marinade will work with frozen fish, but keep in mind that the frozen flesh can’t absorb the flavors as readily as thawed salmon. It may result in uneven seasoning.
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 marinate frozen fish before cooking?
However, it is essential to know whether you can marinate a frozen fish before consumption. Marinating is a very productive way to introduce more moisture into fish to enhance its taste before cooking. Marinades for fish could be made at home or purchased at stores. Can you marinate frozen fish? Yes, you can marinate frozen fish.
Can You thaw frozen fish after marinating?
Store in the refrigerator after marinating to prevent the introduction of bacteria into your well-marinated fish. Once the frozen fish has absorbed a significant amount of the spicy marinade, take it out of the fridge in preparation for cooking. You can also thaw your frozen fish by immersing the frozen fish in some cold water.