We learned how to make this salmon from chef Nikolas Paulsson of the Lanternen restaurant on the Oslo fjord in Norway. For our take, we use a 2-pound skin-on center-cut side of salmon and salt it for about an hour before baking in a moderate oven. When shopping, look for a salmon side about 1 inch thick at its thickest part; pieces that are thicker or thinner will require timing adjustments when baking. The salmon will be slightly underdone when removed from the oven; a tented 5- to 10-minute rest will finish the cooking and bring the internal temperature up to 120°F at the thickest part. At this temperature, the fish should be just opaque, not translucent.
Dont delay tenting the salmon with foil after removing it from the oven. The foil traps residual heat that gently finishes cooking the fish.
Although you’ll need a minimum of about 8 hours of salting to produce ideal results, salting the salmon even 30 to 45 minutes before cooking and carefully patting it dry with paper towels will improve it.
JOIN MILK STREET DIGITAL & PRINT 12 WEEKS FOR JUST $1
and get access to all of our recipes and articles online, as well as in print.
Your email address is required to identify your subscription. We will use it for customer service as well as other communications from Milk Street. We will not share, or rent your email address. Reviews Jillian H. Winner! My husband and I have never liked baked salmon, but saw this on the show and thought we’d give it a try. This method really transformed the salmon. Leftovers are delicious cold! Pragya C. It is always a hit! Its sooo east, quick and foolproof. Always get rave reviews even from people that say that they don’t like salmon. Pragya C. Best Salmon Recipe I’ve made this multiple times, either just for us or also for company and I always get rave reviews. It’s easy and though looks humble- knocks it out of the park every time Ramona W. Made this delicious, however… I may have left it sit too long with the salt as it had a bit of a mushy texture. But Ill own that…the taste was great and we made the quick pickles along with lemon rice and sliced tomatoes. Good combination. Tiffany H. Easy and Delicious Salmon As long as you have the time to salt the salmon ahead of time this is an easy way to turn out a great tasting salmon. It is very tender and not overcooked! I have tried playing with the spices and herbs and it always turns out delicious.
Sign up to receive texts
Successfully signed up to receive texts!
ChefSteps Tips & Tricks: Dry-Cure For Perfect Fish
FAQ
How long to salt salmon before cooking?
How long should you salt fish before cooking?
Should I salt my salmon overnight?
How long can salmon be seasoned before cooking?
How long should a salmon fillet be salted?
The salting duration varies depending on the size and thickness of the salmon fillet. As a general guideline, smaller and thinner fillets require less salting time, while larger and thicker fillets benefit from a slightly longer duration. As a starting point, a 1-inch thick salmon fillet can be salted for approximately 20-30 minutes.
What is a healthy amount of salmon to consume per month?
This will depend on what type of salmon you consume. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend eating salmon more than twice a week due to several types of contaminants present in the fish (if it is salmon from aquaculture, this number increases to once a month). Compared to aquaculture, wild salmon has lower levels of PCBs and better nutrients, however, its price comes to cost almost twice as much, in addition to being more difficult to find this product on the market. Consuming canned salmon is also a good tip – this is because, for the most part, it is of wild origin (apparently, farmed salmon does not keep well when canned).
Should you salt salmon before cooking?
Salmon is a delicious and versatile fish that can be prepared in various ways. One popular technique is salting the salmon before cooking. Salting not only enhances the natural flavor of the fish but also helps in preserving it. However, it is crucial to understand the importance of salting salmon and how to do it correctly.
How do you cook salted salmon?
Once your salmon has been adequately salted, it’s time to prepare and cook it. Here are some recommended cooking methods: Grilling, baking, and pan-searing are excellent cooking techniques for salted salmon. These methods allow the flavors to develop while maintaining the moisture and tenderness of the fish.