8+ delicious and moist salmon recipes to tempt you + a food science expert’s 7 PRO tips for meltingly moist and tender salmon every time!
Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise
My baked salmon with mayonnaise recipe is so easy but gives you the perfect creamy, rich, fall-apart salmon. This is the BEST recipe for perfect salmon every time.
The salmon gets baked in a coat of mayonnaise-based sauce, which locks in moisture and the salmon’s flavor.
Have it on the table in under 20 minutes, you guys – ultra delicious flaky salmon.
Honey Teriyaki Salmon
Here is the perfect honey teriyaki glazed salmon recipe. It has a sticky, umami-loaded 3-ingredient honey teriyaki glaze that you’ll want to lather over everything. The garlic and soy sauce bake deep into the salmon.
Want to make a salmon teriyaki bowl? This is the recipe for you! It’s also cooked in a flash at 425F!
Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
My Cajun butter salmon recipe is life-changing. You have GOT to put it on your list.
With its sassy spice rub and rich pan sauce, it is loaded with Cajun flavors! This 10-minute meal delivers glossy, glowing salmon thanks to the butter-basting method.
Foolproof Grilled Salmon
My foolproof grilled salmon uses simple food science tricks to get perfectly moist, flaky fish with beautiful grill marks — in under 10 minutes. The key is a 10-minute preheat, oiled grates, skin-side down the whole time, and pulling it at 125°F. Serve it with the optional lemon herb drizzle or pile on the avocado melon cucumber salsa for a showstopper summer meal.
Moist and Flaky Salmon Burgers
These are the best salmon burgers ever – you will never need another recipe!
Made with just a handful of ingredients and cooked in mere minutes. I’ve paired the salmon fillets with a light slaw and creamy avocado for extra comfort and luxury.
Easy Air Fryer Salmon (Straight From Frozen!)
The trusty air fryer never fails. My frozen air fryer salmon is super juicy and easy for weekday meals.
Think flaky, fall-apart salmon that you DON’T need to thaw! This 12-minute recipe is what I reach for on crazy busy nights when I’ve forgotten to thaw the salmon…
I love how the air fryer gives me perfectly cooked salmon, moist in the middle with a delicate, crisp outer layer.
Grilled Coconut Salmon Skewers (with Peanut Sauce)
My grilled coconut salmon skewer recipe showcases how to cook salmon skewers that are juicy and moist. There’s usually a risk of drying out fish when you cook them on skewers, but this recipe mitigates that.
I love the charred grill lines on these skewers – they look INCREDIBLE!
Serve them with simple basmati rice and a fresh salad like my strawberry spinach salad.
Grilled Salmon With Avocado, Melon and Cucumber Salsa
Here is a fresh, summery recipe for grilled Salmon With Avocado, Melon and Cucumber Salsa.
One of the reasons I love serving salmon for dinner, other than how yummy it is, is that it is SO quick to cook.
The richness of salmon pairs well with this light, fruity salsa.
Salmon Sandwiches with Pea Sprouts + Lemon Dill Aoli
This moist salmon recipe is outrageously good – my salmon sandwiches with pea sprouts and lemon dill aoili.
Juicy, beautifully cooked salmon gets wedged inside soft white rolls with fresh, earthy pea sprouts. The delicious lemon dill aioli adds extra flavor and creaminess to the whole situation.
I love these for a summer picnic, a potluck, or an easy gathering.
Baked Salmon Rice Muffins (Sushi Cups)
My baked salmon rice muffins are individual sushi cups baked right in a muffin tin — crispy-edged, spicy-mayo-drizzled, and completely addictive. The salmon stays moist and flavorful tucked into seasoned sushi rice on a nori base. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or easy lunch, and a great use for leftover cooked salmon too.
How to Keep Salmon Recipes Moist
Dry salmon is never the goal. Here are my pro tips for making moist salmon recipes every time:
- Let the salmon sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Whip the salmon off the heat when it reaches an internal temperature of 125ºF
- Rest the salmon for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle.
- Choose fattier cuts. King, Atlantic and sockeye salmon are naturally more moist and flavorful than leaner varieties like coho or pink.
- Brine it. Dissolve ¼ cup salt in 4 cups water and submerge the salmon for 15–30 minutes before cooking. It makes a noticeable difference in moisture retention.
- Keep the skin on. It acts as a protective barrier between the flesh and the heat, locking in moisture and flavour.
- Try foil or parchment. Cooking en papillote creates a steamy environment that keeps salmon moist while infusing it with any added herbs or aromatics.
Related: How Long does Salmon Last in the Fridge?
Side Dishes to Serve with Moist Salmon Recipes
My favorite part of serving salmon for dinner is choosing the sides to go with it. Here are some favs:
- Easy basmati rice (or even easier microwave rice)
- Pan-fried asparagus, broccolini or green beans, glazed carrots, or roasted brussels sprouts.
- I love to pair a grilled or baked salmon recipe with my au gratin potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes – such a treat!
Here’s my full collection of favorite side dishes for salmon recipes.
FAQs
Moist Salmon Recipes. Just skimming through? Here are the top takeaways:
To maintain moisture, avoid overcooking the salmon. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 125°F for optimal moistness. Another tip is to cook salmon in a fat-based sauce like mayonnaise. Finally, cooking it with the skin on it helps retain moisture.
Marinating can add flavor but may not significantly impact moisture retention. However, using marinades with oil or acidic ingredients like citrus can help keep the salmon moist during cooking.
Bake salmon at a lower temperature (around 275°F to 325°F or 135°C to 163°C) for a longer time to prevent drying out. Covering the salmon with foil or parchment paper while baking can help trap moisture.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). The flesh should be opaque and easily flake with a fork when done.
No, once moisture is lost from the salmon you can’t add it back. However, you can add the mouthfeel of moisture back to salmon by drizzling it with a sauce before serving.
Moist Salmon Recipes + Food Science Tips for Best EVER Results!
Ingredients
- Salmon
Instructions
- Pick your favorite moist salmon recipe from the collection above and enjoy!
I tried the coconut salmon skewers from this list and it was incredibly moist and flavorful! Do you have any tips for ensuring it stays that way when reheating leftovers?
Hi Sophie, you can microwave them on 50% power instead of full power and ensure they’re covered with parchment paper. That helps keep in the moisture when you’re reheating. The most important thing is simply not to reheat them too much, so keep an eye.
Thanks for sharing such delicious ideas, Jenn! I’ve tried almost all of them except the teriyaki one. It’s next on my list!