Broiling salmon is one of the quickest ways to cook this delicious and heart-healthy fish. Broiling gives the fish a crisp, caramelized crust.

Steps

  1. 1
    Set up the oven rack so the rack is 7” to 8” (18 to 20 centimeters) from the broiler. In electric ovens, the broiler is located on top. Broilers with gas ovens are normally on top or in a drawer beneath the oven.
  2. 2
    Place your broiler pan inside your oven and preheat your broiler.
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  3. 3
    Place a long strip of aluminum foil on your countertop and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
  4. 4
    Place your salmon on top of the foil with the skin side down and the pink flesh facing up.
  5. 5
    Drizzle 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of olive oil on top of the salmon. Use your fingers to rub the oil into the flesh.
  6. 6
    Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) of salt and 1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) of freshly ground black pepper on top of your salmon fillet.
  7. 7
    Open the oven and extend the rack that is holding the broiler pan. Make sure that you are wearing oven mitts because the broiler will be hot.
  8. 8
    Grasp the sheet of aluminum foil in both hands and place the foil and the salmon on top of the broiler pan. The hot broiler pan will ensure the salmon cooks evenly on both sides.
  9. 9
    Broil the salmon for 10 to 15 minutes. Check the fish every two minutes to ensure that it isn’t burning.
  10. 10
    Remove the salmon from the oven and place the pan on your range top or on a counter top protected with hot pads. Allow the fish to rest for a few minutes to redistribute the juices.
  11. 11
    Serve the salmon fillet on a plate with a wedge of lemon.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    At what temperature setting do I broil the salmon?
    Qamar
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Usually your oven will have a broil button, so putting it on temperature setting is normally not needed. However, if you don't have a broil setting, it's usually at a 500 degree F (260 degree C) temperature.
  • Question
    How do I get salmon crispy?
    Caeiia
    Caeiia
    Top Answerer
    You can pan fry it for a few minutes on both sides at higher heat, just don't move or touch the fish until it has crisped on one side.
  • Question
    Sometimes the salmon's skin is hard to remove after baking, but other times it releases easily. What is the difference?
    Virago Phoenix
    Virago Phoenix
    Community Answer
    Generally the skin of a salmon is harder to remove when the fish is fresher.
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Warnings

  • Wash your hands after touching raw salmon.
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  • Salmon may contain trace amounts of mercury, which could be dangerous for a developing fetus. If you are pregnant, then speak to your obstetrician about consuming salmon or other fatty fish.
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Things You'll Need

  • Salmon fillet
  • Broiler pan
  • Aluminum foil
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Plate for serving
  • Lemon wedge

About This Article

Tested by:
wikiHow Test Kitchen
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 523,609 times.
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Co-authors: 17
Updated: March 17, 2023
Views: 523,609
Categories: Featured Articles | Salmon
Article SummaryX

To easily broil salmon, adjust the oven rack so that it is 7-8 inches from the top of the oven, and place a broiler pan on the rack. Preheat the broiler and spray a large piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray. Then, place the piece of salmon with the skin side down on the foil and the pink flesh facing up. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil over top of the salmon, and add salt and pepper to taste. Once the salmon is seasoned, place the foil sheet with the salmon on the broiler pan, and broil it for 10-15 minutes. Be sure to check the salmon every 2 minutes to ensure that it isn't burning. For tips on serving the salmon after broiling, keep reading!

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