How Can I Season Salmon?

Instead of just one method for properly seasoning salmon, you immediately have a multitude of options: In addition to pepper, intensive spices and herbs such as turmeric, cumin, cayenne pepper, dill, thyme, rosemary, sage, or fennel are always welcome. Garlic is also a good choice to add flavor to the fish. The many ways in which salmon can be seasoned are thanks to its characteristic, intense taste, which goes well with fragrant herbs and strong spices. At the same time, the simple is enough: You can bake salmon in the oven – just brushed with olive oil, salt, and pepper – and still get an extremely aromatic result at the end. You can learn how to combine the fish with a creamy, homemade hollandaise with our recipe for asparagus with salmon.

Season the salmon properly: marinate intensively and refine

The cooking method also determines which spices you end up using for your salmon. For example, roasting and grilling tickle the aroma of the fish more clearly than gentle cooking in the oven or foil. Therefore, if you cook the fish on the wire rack or in a hot pan, you season the fish more vigorously. Smoked paprika, cumin, or curry powder are just as suitable as thyme or rosemary; or you can stir up a simple marinade based on olive oil and lemon juice and let the salmon soak in it. This can also be done overnight in the fridge. Fresh herbs, especially dill, and dry rubs are also great when seasoning your salmon. At the same time, you can give the fish an Asian touch with the help of ginger and soy sauce, for example.

By the way: salmon also goes well with creamy sauces. Be sure to try our salmon and cream gratin.

Season and grill the salmon

Due to its high-fat content and firm flesh, salmon is excellent for grilling. You can wrap it in foil, stabilize it in a grill basket or cook it directly on the grid. You use the skin, which holds the meat together and serves as heat protection. If you have turned the fish in the meantime so that it doesn’t get too hot, you can eat it at the end. Just slit the skin lightly before cooking. You can season the fish both Mediterranean and Asian, with a marinade of lemon and fresh herbs such as thyme or a rub. For the latter, mix different spices, including chili, and then massage the mixture intensively into the meat of the fish. Of course, this also works if you want to prepare your salmon in the pan. Olive oil is particularly recommended for frying. For additional inspiration, browse through our wide variety of salmon recipes.