A simple lemon garlic butter sauce goes with this easy Ninja Foodi Grill Salmon Recipe. It only takes minutes to cook on an indoor grill. Enjoy this delicious, healthy dinner all year long. It’s low carb and Keto friendly, too!.
If you’re looking for Ninja Foodi Grill recipes or seafood recipes, this simple recipe for salmon fillets cooked on an indoor grill will be a hit! The salmon is boneless and cooked just right, and the lemon garlic butter sauce makes it taste even better.
Before I cooked salmon on my new Ninja Foodi XL Grill, I didn’t really like it. Seriously — I’m not just saying this, even though it’s one of my favorite kitchen appliances.
I’ve made poached salmon and pan fried salmon. But grilled salmon with crispy skin is the BEST!
Enjoy this Ninja Foodi salmon recipe for a quick dinner anytime. It’s easy to make a meal that the whole family will love. Serve it with roasted potatoes and asparagus cooked in the microwave.
Here are the simple ingredients you need to make salmon on the Ninja Foodi XL Grill. You should be able to find all of them in your local grocery store:
The Ninja Foodi Grill has become one of the most popular indoor grill appliances for its versatility and ability to cook foods fast and evenly. With its built-in smart cook system, the Ninja Foodi Grill takes a lot of the guesswork out of grilling by automatically adjusting time and temperature. This makes it easy for even beginners to cook fish like a pro!
Fish is one of the healthiest proteins you can eat, but it can be tricky to get just right on the stovetop or oven. With the Ninja Foodi indoor grill, you’ll get tender, flaky fish cooked to perfection every time. In this article, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to make great fish on the Ninja Foodi grill, including tips on choosing fish, cook times, temperatures, and some delicious recipes to try.
Benefits of Cooking Fish on the Ninja Foodi Grill
Here are some of the biggest benefits of using the Ninja Foodi to cook fish:
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Even cooking: The Ninja Foodi Grill heats from both the top and bottom to cook food fast and evenly. No more over or undercooked spots!
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Perfect doneness The smart cook system and probe thermometer takes the guesswork out of doneness, Just set it and let the Grill do the work
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** Saves time:** The Ninja Foodi preheats in just 5-10 minutes and most fish fillets cook in under 15 minutes total!
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Less mess: With no splattering fat or oil, there’s minimal cleanup after grilling fish inside.
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Year-round grilling No need to wait for nice weather. the Ninja Foodi lets you enjoy “grilled” fish 365 days a year!
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Adds great flavor: The Ninja Foodi Grill gives fish a lightly charred, smoky flavor you can’t get from oven baking.
Tips for Choosing Fish for the Ninja Foodi Grill
The Ninja Foodi Grill works great for most types of fish fillets and steaks. When shopping keep these tips in mind
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Look for fillets or steaks that are 1 inch thick or less. Thinner cuts will cook faster and more evenly. Thick steaks may require splitting in half.
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Choose fish that is sustainably caught and fresh. Fresh fish smells clean, not fishy or ammonia-like.
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Firmer fish with higher fat content works best. Some good choices are salmon, halibut, cod, tuna, trout, and arctic char.
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Avoid really delicate fish like sole or tilapia that tend to stick and flake apart easily.
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For easy cleanup, fish with skins are ideal to prevent sticking.
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Fish on the Ninja Foodi
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked fish every time:
1. Pat the Fish Dry
- Pat fish fillets or steaks dry with paper towels before cooking. Make sure no moisture is on the surface. This helps get crispier results.
2. Brush with Oil
- Use a high smoke point oil like avocado, grapeseed, or light olive oil. Brush a thin layer over both sides of the fish.
3. Season the Fish
- Sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, herbs, or other seasonings. Go light since fish has a delicate flavor.
4. Preheat the Grill
- Select the Grill function, set to High, then select FishSmart Cook option. This will preheat the grill between 385-450°F which is ideal for fish.
5. Insert Probe Thermometer
- For best results, insert the probe into the thickest part of the largest fillet or steak. This enables the smart cook system to track internal temp.
6. Add Fish and Close Lid
- When preheated, add fish fillets or steaks and close the lid. The Grill will automatically adjust cook time.
7. Flip and Finish Cooking
- For thinner fillets under 1/2 inch thick, no flipping is needed. For thicker cuts, flip once when grill beeps. Cook until desired internal temp.
8. Allow Fish to Rest
- When done, remove fish from grill and tent with foil. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. The temp will rise slightly as it rests.
Recommended Cook Times and Temps for Fish
To take the guesswork out of doneness, use the Ninja Foodi probe thermometer and these temps as a guide:
| Fish Type | Minimum Internal Temp | Approximate Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon | 125°F (for medium-rare) | 8-12 minutes |
| Cod | 135°F | 8-10 minutes |
| Tuna | 125°F (for rare) | 10-14 minutes |
| Swordfish | 135°F | 8-10 minutes |
| Halibut | 135°F | 10-14 minutes |
| Snapper | 140°F | 8-12 minutes |
| Mahi Mahi | 135°F | 8-12 minutes |
| Trout | 135°F | 8-12 minutes |
*The FDA recommends cooking fish to 145°F minimum, but many people prefer fish cooked at lower temps for optimal moisture and tenderness. Cook fish to your desired doneness.
*Cook times are estimates and will vary depending on thickness of fish. Rely on probe thermometer for accuracy.
Cooking Different Cuts of Fish
Follow these tips when cooking different types of fish in the Ninja Foodi Grill:
For fish fillets: Choose uniform 1/2 to 1 inch thick fillets for even cooking. Thinner fillets may cook faster so watch temps closely. Brush both sides with oil. No need to flip thin fillets under 1/2 inch.
For fish steaks: Look for 1 inch thick steaks and cut in half if thicker. Brush both sides with oil. Flip once when grill beeps for even cooking.
For whole fish: Choose 1 to 1 1/2 pound fish. Stuff the cavity with lemon, herbs, and oil. Brush oil on outside. Cook at 375°F for 22-30 minutes until 145°F at thickest part.
5 Delicious Ninja Foodi Grill Fish Recipes
The Ninja Foodi makes it so easy to cook moist, flavorful fish dinners at home. Here are 5 great recipes to try:
1. Lemon Garlic Salmon
Brush salmon fillets with olive oil and top with minced garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice. Grill at 400°F until it reaches your desired doneness, about 135°F for medium-rare.
2. Cajun Blackened Tilapia
Coat tilapia fillets with Cajun seasoning and blackening spice mix. Grill at 375°F for 4-5 minutes per side until flaky.
3. Jerk Mahi Mahi Tacos
Rub mahi mahi steaks with Caribbean jerk seasoning. Grill on High for 8-10 minutes until 145°F. Serve in warmed corn tortillas with mango salsa.
4. Miso Glazed Cod
Whisk white miso, oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic for a glaze. Brush onto cod fillets and grill 6-8 minutes until 135°F.
5. Whole Rosemary & Lemon Trout
Stuff trout cavity with lemon slices, rosemary sprigs, and pat dry. Brush with oil and grill on 375°F for 15-18 minutes until 145°F internally.
Helpful Tips for Grilling Fish on the Ninja Foodi
Use these tips and tricks for the very best results when cooking fish in the Ninja Foodi Grill:
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When using thinner fish fillets under 1/2 inch thick, fold edges under to create an even thickness for more consistent cooking.
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If fish sticks, use a metal spatula and gently scrape grill while hot to remove stuck bits after removing fish.
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Baste fish with glazes, herb butter, or oil during last few minutes only to avoid burning.
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If flare ups occur from drippings, close lid to extinguish flames quickly. Avoid overcrowding.
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For grill marks, coat cleaned and oiled grates with nonstick spray before preheating. Don’t move fish once placed.
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Skewer shrimp, scallops, chunks of fish or vegetables on skewers for easy flipping and removal from the grill.
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Always pat fish dry before seasoning or oiling. Wet fish will cause excess steam and make grill smoke.
Get Grilling!
The Ninja Foodi Grill makes cooking moist, flaky fish at home so easy. With a little practice using the tips above, you’ll be able to ditch the frozen fish sticks and enjoy restaurant-quality seafood any night of the week. Experiment with different seasonings and sauces to put your own spin on grilled fish meals. Your family will keep coming back for more!
How to Cook Salmon on Ninja Foodi Grill
For best results, follow manufacturer’s directions when using. First, place the salmon filets, skin side down, on a clean plate. Next, pat them dry with a clean paper towel.
Next, drizzle a little avocado oil all over the fillets. You can use vegetable oil if you can’t find avocado oil.
Make sure you get oil on the skins, as well. This will help prevent the salmon skins from sticking to the grill.
Put the fresh fish on a plate next. Then, add garlic powder, sea salt, and ground black pepper to the salmon fillets. Then, rub the seasoning over the salmon — kind of like you would with a dry rub.
Squirt a little fresh lemon juice over the salmon. This will help to flavor the fish without actually soaking in marinade.
Lemon juice is very acidic, so you don’t need to marinate the salmon for long. To heat up, the Ninja Foodie indoor grill needs about 10 minutes. That’s just enough time for the fish fillets to get to room temperature.
Place the grill grate into your Ninja Foodie grill. Then hit the Grill button. Choose High, then choose Fish. Now, choose the desired level of doneness.
So, what temp should salmon be? The FDA recommends cooking salmon to 145 degrees f. However, a lot of people feel salmon is overcooked at this temperature.
Choose wisely. I like to grill salmon to 135 to 140 degrees to allow for carryover cooking. The internal temperature will continue to rise as the salmon rests. The total cook time may vary with thickness of salmon and desired doneness.
Press Start, to begin preheating the grill. Then, insert the Smart Thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet.
You can choose not to use the probe, but I find it easiest to cook with it in. When the grill is hot, use kitchen tongs to place salmon fillets on the grill.
Then, close the lid. You can whip up the delicious lemon garlic butter sauce now.
Put some butter in a small pot or pan and set it over low heat. This will make the sauce. Add minced garlic, a little lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
Stir, and allow to cook on low until the garlic is tender and light golden brown. Make sure it doesn’t burn! While the salmon cooks, turn off the stove and let the lemon basil sauce sit.
You don’t have to flip the salmon, although you can. I love the texture without turning it over. I usually add some sliced lemon wedges about halfway through cooking.
When the salmon reaches the desired temperature, remove to a platter or individual plates. (Use an oven mitt to remove temperature probe. ) Pour the warm garlic butter sauce over the salmon, barely cover with foil, and let it sit for three to five minutes.
The cooked fish should be tender and flaky. The color should be opaque — light pink. But the best thing is the crispy skin. Yum! It’s a wonderful contrast to the tender salmon.
You can also use a meat thermometer to double check the internal temperature if you like.
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. According to the USDA, it will keep for up to 3 to 4 days.
You can reheat salmon in the air fryer, microwave, oven or on the stove. Cold cooked salmon is actually delicious over fresh greens or in salad!.