When it comes to perfectly cooked salmon, marinating is a key step that can take your salmon from good to great. But how long should you marinate salmon to get the best flavor? Here’s a look at how marinating works, how long to marinate salmon, and some tips for maximizing the flavor of your marinated salmon.
How Does Marinating Work?
Marinades are used to infuse flavor and moisture into proteins like salmon. A marinade is typically an acidic liquid that may contain oil, herbs, spices, and other flavorful ingredients. When you soak salmon in a marinade, here’s what happens:
- Acid from ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, yogurt, or wine tenderizes the salmon by breaking down connective tissues. This makes the salmon more moist and tender.
- Oil-based ingredients like olive oil or sesame oil add flavor and help the marinade adhere to the salmon.
- Aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, herbs, and spices infuse the salmon with extra flavor.
- Salt and sugar also penetrate the salmon to boost flavor.
By allowing all these flavorful ingredients to soak into the salmon, marinating improves moisture, tenderness, and overall taste.
Recommended Marinating Times for Salmon
So how long should you marinate salmon to get the full effects? Here are some general guidelines:
- 15 minutes: This very quick marinating time adds light flavor and moisture.
- 30 minutes: Allows more flavor to penetrate while still retaining texture.
- 1-2 hours: Infuses the salmon with bolder flavor and makes it tender.
- 4-12 hours: For maximum infusion of spices, herbs, and acidity. Salmon texture will soften.
- 24+ hours: Only recommended for very strong, acidic marinades. Salmon will become very soft and fall-apart tender.
In most cases, a marinating time of 1-4 hours is ideal to get both great flavor and retain the salmon’s texture. Shorter marinating times are better for quick weeknight meals, while longer marinating can be used to really amplify flavor for entertaining.
Tips for Marinating Salmon
Follow these tips to get the most out of marinating your salmon:
- Choose skinless salmon fillets that are about 1 inch thick for even marinating. Thicker cuts may need extra time.
- Pat salmon dry before marinating to help the marinade adhere.
- Use a non-reactive dish like glass or plastic. Avoid aluminum.
- Make sure salmon is fully submerged in the marinade.
- Flip the fillets at least once while marinating.
- Marinate in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
- Discard used marinade – don’t reuse due to bacteria.
- Pat off excess marinade before cooking.
Go-To Marinade Recipes
You can buy pre-made marinades at the grocery store or be creative and make your own seasoning blends at home. Try out some of these delicious marinades that are sure to infuse your salmon with lots of flavor:
Maple Dijon Marinade
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
Whisk together all ingredients. Marinate salmon for 2-4 hours.
Asian Ginger Marinade
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
Whisk together all ingredients. Marinate salmon for 1-2 hours.
Mediterranean Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Whisk together all ingredients. Marinate salmon for 30 minutes up to 4 hours.
How to Know If Salmon Is Done After Marinating
The marinating time affects flavor, but not necessarily cook time. No matter how long salmon marinates, it should still be cooked properly to avoid under or overcooking. Follow these tips:
- Use a food thermometer to check for doneness. Salmon is perfectly cooked to medium rare at 110-125°F internally.
- Check thick and thin parts of the fillet since thinner areas cook faster.
- Salmon should have just a hint of translucent color in the very center when done.
- Cooking times will vary based on method. Grill for about 4 minutes per side, bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes, pan sear for 2-3 minutes per side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you marinate wild salmon or farmed salmon?
You can marinate both wild caught and farmed salmon. Wild salmon has a more pronounced natural fish flavor, while farmed salmon is milder. A flavorful marinade can complement either type nicely.
Does marinating raw salmon make it more tender?
Yes, marinating breaks down connective tissues in the salmon to make it more tender and moist. Acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar help accelerate this process. Longer marinating times up to 24 hours will make the biggest impact on tenderness.
Can you marinate salmon too long?
It is possible to marinate salmon too long if using a very acidic marinade. After about 24 hours, the acid can start to literally “cook” the salmon and make it mushy. For most marinades, 1-4 hours is ideal for maximizing flavor without impacting texture.
Should you rinse off marinade before cooking salmon?
It’s generally recommended to pat off excess marinade before cooking salmon. This prevents the excess marinade from burning or becoming bitter on the grill or pan. But leave a light coating for continued flavor.
Can I re-use leftover marinade?
No, marinade that has been in contact with raw salmon should not be re-used. The bacteria on the raw salmon contaminates the marinade. Make a fresh batch instead.
Conclusion
Marinating is a simple way to make tender, juicy, and flavorful salmon. While marinating times can range widely from 15 minutes to 24+ hours, a 1-4 hour marinating time allows great salmon flavor to develop without over-marinating. Mix up fun new marinades, marinate salmon in the fridge, then be sure to cook to proper doneness. Marinated salmon can be the star of a meal and is great for easy dinners, meal prep, or elegant entertaining menus alike.