Sockeye salmon, with its deep red color and rich flavor, is one of the most popular salmon varieties. When cooked properly, it has a tender texture and moist interior that makes it a delicious weeknight dinner or elegant entree One of the easiest ways to cook sockeye salmon is broiling. With just a simple preparation, broiling draws out the natural flavors and allows the fish to cook quickly under high heat. But how long should you broil sockeye salmon to get perfect results?
Recommended Cook Times for Broiled Sockeye Salmon
Most chefs and cooking experts recommend broiling sockeye salmon fillets for 6-8 minutes per 1-inch thickness Here are some general guidelines
- For a 1-inch thick salmon fillet, broil for 6-8 minutes.
- For a 1 1/2-inch thick salmon fillet, broil for 8-10 minutes.
- For a 2-inch thick salmon fillet, broil for 10-12 minutes.
The broiler should be on high heat and the oven rack should be 3 to 4 inches from the heating element for these cooking times. The thicker the fillet, the longer it will need under the broiler. Pay attention to the minimum cook times and make sure the food is done before moving on to the maximum times.
It’s easy to overcook salmon, so you want to pull it out of the broiler as soon as it reaches the proper internal temperature. Speaking of which…
Use a Thermometer for Perfectly Cooked Salmon
While the cook time guidelines are useful, the best way to ensure your sockeye salmon fillets are cooked perfectly is to use an instant-read thermometer. Salmon is safely cooked and delicious when it reaches an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F.
For medium-rare salmon, aim for 125°F. For salmon cooked medium or medium-well, cook to 130°F. Any higher than that and the salmon will be dry and overcooked.
Be sure to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet, without touching bone. Test the temperature a minute or two before the minimum recommended cook time and then again right at the end. This ensures you catch that perfect stage of doneness.
Prep Tips for Broiled Salmon
To get the best results when broiling sockeye salmon, keep these prep tips in mind:
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Pat the salmon fillets dry before cooking. Excess moisture on the surface can cause steaming instead of searing.
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Brush a small amount of oil on the salmon before adding any rubs or seasoning. This helps the flavors stick.
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Season generously with salt, pepper, herbs, spices, citrus zest, etc. Salmon benefits from bold, complementary flavors.
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Let seasoned fillets sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before broiling. This allows the flavors to penetrate.
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Line the broiler pan with foil for easy cleanup. The sugars in salmon can cause sticking and burning.
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Resist the urge to flip the fillets. Salmon cooks fast enough under high heat on one side only.
With the proper prep and cook time, it’s easy to achieve tender, flaky and moist sockeye salmon every time you broil it. Let the color of the fish guide you too. When cooked correctly, the salmon will turn from deep red to opaque pinkish-orange on the surface and still be moist inside.
Now that you know about how long to broil sockeye salmon, let’s look at some flavorful recipes.
Simple Broiled Salmon Recipes
These easy broiled salmon recipes take minimal prep but deliver big, bold flavors:
Easy Lemon-Herb Broiled Salmon
Cook time: 6-8 minutes
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillets
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon juice
- Chopped fresh dill or parsley
Steps:
- Pat salmon dry and brush with oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Broil 6-8 minutes until 125°F.
- Remove from oven, squeeze lemon juice over top and garnish with herbs.
Sweet and Smoky Broiled Salmon
Cook time: 8-10 minutes
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillets
- Brown sugar
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Salt and pepper
Steps:
- Mix together brown sugar, paprika, chili powder and salt.
- Rub spice mix evenly over fillets.
- Broil 8-10 minutes until 130°F.
Broiled Salmon with Citrus Glaze
Cook time: 6-8 minutes
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillets
- Brown sugar
- Lemon, orange or grapefruit zest
- Salt and pepper
Steps:
- Combine sugar and citrus zest. Spread onto salmon fillets.
- Broil 6-8 minutes until 125°F.
- Squeeze citrus juice over fish after cooking.
Handling and Storing Salmon Safely
To get the best-tasting broiled salmon, it helps to start with fresh, high-quality fish. Look for salmon that is bright in color with clear eyes and healthy-looking flesh. Smell the fish—it should not have a strong fishy odor. Refrigerate salmon wrapped in parchment paper and use within 2 days of purchasing.
When handling raw salmon, be sure to avoid cross-contamination. Wash hands, cutting boards, knives and counters after preparation. Cook fish to safe internal temperatures to destroy any potential bacteria or parasites.
Leftover cooked salmon can be refrigerated for 3-4 days. The broiled fish can be enjoyed cold in salads or reheated gently for serving again.
Broiling Salmon to Perfection
Broiling sockeye salmon is one of the quickest and easiest ways to enjoy this healthy, flavorful fish. With the proper technique, timing and temperature, you can achieve tender, flaky salmon every time. Follow the guidelines shared here for salmon fillets cooked to medium-rare doneness.
Adjust cook times slightly up or down depending on thickness and preferred doneness. Rely on an instant-read thermometer for the best results. In about 10 minutes or less, you can enjoy delicious broiled sockeye salmon!
A Quick, Hands Off Way to Cook Healthy Protein
If you know how to broil salmon just right, you can make a quick, healthy protein that will be the star of your seafood dishes any day of the week. Fast and easy, this is a great way to cook a plain fillet. But it works especially well for salmon that has been marinated or spiced with things that change when heated, like sugars or dry rubs.
Simple Tips for Perfectly Broiled Salmon
- Pat the salmon fillet dry to remove excess moisture.
- Make sure your broiler is hot enough to give you a quick, intense blast of heat.
- Broil the fillet skin side down to avoid burning.
SOCKEYE SALMON Bake in 10 minutes – How to BAKE PERFECT SALMON
FAQ
Is it better to bake or broil salmon?
What temperature do you cook sockeye salmon at?
How do you not overcook sockeye salmon?
How long does it take to boil a piece of salmon?
How do you cook salmon in a broiler?
Preheat broiler on its high setting. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, brown sugar, paprika and ginger. Rinse the salmon filets under cool water and pat dry. Arrange on a baking sheet (I line mine with nonstick aluminum foil for easy cleanup). Rub each of the filets with 1/4 of the seasoning mixture on the top only.
How long do you Broil salmon in the oven?
Turn the oven on to the high broiler setting for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, place the salmon into the oven and broil for 6 to 8 minutes or until the thickest part of the fish reaches an internal temperature of 131 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the salmon from the oven and allow to rest, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes.
How do you cook Alaskan sockeye salmon?
Alaskan Sockeye salmon is broiled with a sweet-salty rub in this quick and easy recipe for Broiled Sockeye Salmon. Perfect for dinner! Preheat broiler on its high setting. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, brown sugar, paprika and ginger. Rinse the salmon filets under cool water and pat dry.
How long do you cook wild sockeye?
Wild salmon can dry out faster than the fat-marbled farmed stuff. As a general rule, when cooking sockeye in the oven, set the temp to 375° and give it 10 minutes for every inch of thickness. The Salmon Sisters also encourage sautéing wild sockeye fillets in butter, or cooking whole sides of salmon on the grill to feed a crowd.