Marinating salmon is a great way to infuse flavor and moisture into the fish before cooking. But how long should you marinate salmon to get the best results? Here are some tips on marinating times for different types of salmon dishes.
Quick Answers
For most salmon fillets, marinate for 30 minutes to an hour. Thicker salmon steaks can be marinated for 1-2 hours. Marinating overnight is ideal for extra flavor infusion.
The thinner the salmon cut, the less time needed to marinate. Quick-marinating for just 15-30 minutes adds good flavor.
Cold marinating in the refrigerator is best. Marinate longer if marinating at room temperature.
Acidic marinades like lemon or wine penetrate quicker and require less time. Oil- or yogurt-based marinades need more time to soak in.
Marinating Times for Salmon Fillets
Salmon fillets are a popular cut of salmon for cooking. They tend to be an average thickness, thinner than salmon steaks but thicker than very thin salmon cutlets.
For salmon fillets, a marinating time of 30 minutes to 1 hour is usually sufficient. The thinner the fillet, the less time needed.
Here are general guidelines for marinating salmon fillets:
- 15-30 minutes – Quick light marinating
- 30-60 minutes – Standard time for most fillet recipes
- 1-2 hours – For thicker fillets or extra flavor infusion
- Overnight – Best for maximum flavor
Keep the thickness of the fillet in mind. Thinner tail-end pieces will marinate faster than fatter center-cut fillets. Cut the fillets to an even thickness if possible to ensure consistent marinating.
Marinating Times for Salmon Steaks
Salmon steaks are cut from the thickest center portion of the fish. They are 1-inch thick or more.
The thicker cut of a salmon steak means it needs a little longer marinating time than thinner fillets. Some general guidelines include:
- 1-2 hours – For good flavor infusion
- 3-4 hours – For thicker steaks
- Overnight – Best to maximize flavor
Make sure to marinate salmon steaks for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate into the thicker fish. Flipping the steaks halfway through marinating also helps the marinade flavor the fish evenly.
Marinating Times for Salmon Cutlets
Salmon cutlets are very thin, usually 1/4-inch thick or less. They can be sliced from a whole side of salmon.
Since cutlets are so thin, they require very little marinating time. Some guidelines include:
- 15-30 minutes – Plenty of time to impart flavor
- 1 hour max – Any longer will make them too soft
Take care not to over-marinate thin salmon cutlets or they can become mushy. Their thin profile allows fast marinade penetration.
Tips for Marinating Salmon
Here are some additional tips for the best salmon marinating results:
- Marinate in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. The cold helps infuse the marinade.
- Make sure salmon is submerged in the marinade. Turn it a few times while marinating.
- Remove fish from marinade before cooking. Discard used marinade.
- Pat fish dry before cooking so wet marinade doesn’t inhibit browning.
- Add a splash of lemon, oil or marinade to pan when cooking for extra flavor.
How Long to Marinate by Marinade Ingredients
The ingredients in the marinade also impact marinating time. Here is how long to marinate salmon based on key marinade components:
Citrus Juice Marinades
Lemon, lime, grapefruit – 15-30 minutes:
Acidic citrus juice marinades quickly break down the surface of the salmon for fast flavor infusion. They don’t need long marinating times.
Wine or Vinegar Marinades
Wine, vinegar, buttermilk – 1-2 hours:
Acidic ingredients like wine, vinegar, and buttermilk also penetrate the salmon fairly quickly. Marinate for 1-2 hours for best results.
Yogurt or Oil-Based Marinades
Yogurt, olive oil, coconut milk – 2-4 hours:
Thicker dairy and oil-based marinades need more time to penetrate the salmon. Aim for at least 2-4 hours marinating time.
Dry Spice Rubs
Dry rubs – 1 hour or less:
Dry spice rubs require less time to flavor salmon since there is no liquid marinade. Often just 1 hour or less of seasoning is sufficient.
Soy Sauce Marinades
Soy sauce – 30 minutes to 2 hours:
Soy sauce’s balanced salty-sweet flavor penetrates salmon relatively quickly. 30 minutes to 2 hours is usually enough marinating time.
Marinating Salmon for Sushi
When marinating salmon to use in sushi, shorter marinating times are best. The fish should still have a firm, raw texture.
For sashimi or nigiri sushi, marinate salmon for just 15-30 minutes. This imparts light flavor while keeping the desired raw fish texture.
For hand rolls, larger cuts of marinated salmon can be used. In this case, marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour maximum.
Since the fish is eaten raw, take care to marinate salmon for sushi using very fresh, sushi-grade salmon.
Marinating Times for Salmon Burgers or Patties
Ground or chopped salmon used to make burgers or patties can marinate quickly since there is more surface area for the marinade to penetrate.
Aim for a 15-30 minute marinating time for ground salmon. The fish will still hold together for shaping into patties.
You can also marinate the shaped patties for up to 1 hour. Flip them halfway through for even coverage.
oven-Baked Salmon
Oven-baked salmon fillets or steaks only need a quick 15-30 minute marinating time before cooking. The baking process will continue to infuse flavor into the fish.
Aim for thinner fillets, around 1-inch thick. And bake salmon at 400F for best results. Thicker cuts may need slightly longer marinating and oven time.
Marinated Salmon FAQs
Should you rinse off marinade before cooking salmon?
Yes, it’s best to rinse off excess marinade and pat the salmon dry before cooking. This prevents the marinade from burning or becoming bitter on the cooked fish.
Can you marinate salmon too long?
It is possible to over-marinate salmon if left for too long. Thinner cuts like fillets run the risk of becoming too mushy. For most cuts, it’s best to cap marinating time at overnight in the refrigerator.
Should salmon be marinated in the fridge or on the counter?
Refrigerator marinating is best and safest. The cold temperature aids flavor infusion. Marinating at room temp risks bacteria overgrowth on raw fish.
Can you freeze marinated salmon?
It’s best not to freeze pre-marinated salmon. The texture will suffer with freezing and thawing. Instead, simply freeze plain salmon and marinate the thawed fish later.
Conclusion
Marinating time for salmon depends on the cut, thickness, and marinade ingredients. Thinner fillets and cutlets take less time than thicker steaks. Oil-based marinades need longer than citrus. For most salmon dishes, a 1-2 hour marinating time is ideal for full flavor infusion.
Keep these salmon marinating tips in mind for perfect texture and taste. Adjust marinating times based on your specific recipe and preferences for optimal results.