How To Grill Salmon
Salmon is a favorite type of fish that is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world. All types of people enjoy Salmon; it is definitely one of the more popular fish choices in the US. Salmon is often prepared in different ways but many people enjoyed the grilled variety. The following information will help cooks to discover the best way to grill salmon and enjoy this great tasting fish anytime they are in the mood for this cuisine.
Pick the Best Salmon Cut
When a person wants to eat a nice juicy salmon they must select the best cut for this type of meat. There are six different types of salmon that people consume. They include many different type of cuts and they include King (Chinook), Red (Sockeye), Silver (Coho), Pink (Humpy), Atlantic salmon and Chum (Dog).
King salmon is considered the best type to salmon on the market. This type of salmon is always sold in the fresh and frozen variety. It has the most fat and it is has the most meat per ounce. Red salmon is also known as sockeye and it has a firm texture. The color is also brilliant that it appears to be red and it is loaded with flavor. Coho or silver salmon has a red color and is considered the second best variety for people to purchase. This type of salmon is oily and the meat is thick and loaded with flavor. This type of salmon is commonly consumed in many restaurants.
Pink salmon are small fish and they are normally sold in the can and not in the fresh or frozen variety. This type of salmon is usually not grilled unless someone uses foil with perforated holes. Atlantic Salmon is the farmed variety and it is sold in the fresh or frozen variety. Chum salmon is rarely if ever sold in American fish markets. Most fish sellers do not have a good opinion about this fish. The name chum and the alternate name dog is given to this fish simply because sledders usually fed their team of dogs with this particular species. However, some people claim that the taste of chum is exceptional even though it is underrated.
You can buy salmon as steaks, fillets or as dressed fish. It can also be purchased in the can. When you purchase salmon for grilling you should consider buying the King, Red, Coho or Atlantic varieties. Since they provide the best flavor and can stand up to the grilling process. If you are able to, you should purchase salmon in the steak or fillet form with the skin left on one side. This will help to hold the meat together during the grilling process.
Seasoning your Salmon
People generally season their salmon with spices such as salt, garlic, pepper and they also marinate it in lemon juice, brown sugar and soy sauce. Keep in mind that you can add any type of seasoning that you desire. Just make sure to season and/or marinate your salmon at least 2 hours before you put it on the grill. Do not season your salmon while it is on the grill. The spices will not hold up under the grilling process so well.
Preparing your Grill for Salmon
Salmon is tender meat when compared to other types such as steaks, pork or chicken. It does not take a lot of heat to cook it through and you must be very careful about how you are going to prepare it. You can grill salmon on a gas or charcoal grill. If you decide to use a gas grill, make sure it is heated up to 325 degrees or a medium heat. You should use a non-stick spray on the grill to prepare the meat.
Charcoal grills should be prepared with hot spots. This means that coals should be heaped up in various parts of the pit to create an extremely high heat within those parts of the grill. You will also have to oil the grate when you use a charcoal grill. Use vegetable oil to carry out this process. The oil on the grill is necessary for helping to keep the salmon free from sticking to the grate and ripping apart. You should also experiment with finding the best type of charcoal to bring out the best type of flavor for your salmon.
Cooking your Salmon
After your salmon has been prepared you should place it on the grill and then leave it alone. When salmon is ready to be flipped it will no longer stick to the grill. If the cut of salmon you are grilling has the skin on it then cook this side first. Depending on the cut of the meat, you should cook salmon between 3 and 5 minutes. Keep in mind that it can take longer or shorter depending on the type of grill that you have and the heat that you are using to cook the steak.
Can salmon can be cooked on the grill but it has to be wrapped in foil to keep it from falling through the grate. The foil can also be perforated or left in tact. If you decide to cook salmon in this way it should take about seven minutes to prepare. Check the temperature of your fish to ensure its fully cooked. You can sear salmon steaks and fillets by placing the meat at an angle on the grate. Keep in mind that when you properly grill a piece of salmon, the meat will generally flake up when eaten with a fork. You can serve your salmon with a lemon or sauce once it has been prepared.
