Salmon is a delicious and nutritious fish that can be prepared in many different ways. Grilling salmon results in a tender, flaky texture and amazing charred flavor. But we’ve all experienced the frustration of realizing the salmon fillets are still frozen as dinnertime approaches. So can you just throw the frozen salmon on the barbecue as-is?
The good news is yes, you absolutely can grill salmon directly from the freezer! With a few simple tips, you’ll have perfectly cooked salmon with gorgeous grill marks and a moist interior, without needing to plan ahead and thaw the fish.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about bbqing frozen salmon, including:
- Is it safe to grill salmon frozen?
- How to prep and season frozen salmon for the grill
- What temperature and cook times to use
- Tips for grilling frozen salmon fillets or foil packets
- How to tell when frozen salmon is done
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Delicious flavoring ideas to try
- FAQs on grilling frozen salmon
Plus we’ll share an easy foolproof grilled frozen salmon recipe so you can get started cooking tonight! Keep reading for pro tips on grilling frozen salmon from the pros.
Is It Safe to Cook Frozen Salmon on the BBQ?
First things first – is grilling frozen salmon safe? The short answer is yes, as long as you take a couple precautions. Salmon can potentially harbor harmful bacteria and parasites when raw. Typically the FDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F to kill any dangerous pathogens.
However grilling utilizes high dry heat that kills bacteria very effectively. Most food safety experts agree that cooking frozen fish like salmon to medium or medium-well doneness is perfectly safe on the grill. This results in the ideal tender, flaky salmon texture without overcooking.
The main precaution is to avoid thawing and refreezing the salmon. Partial thawing followed by refreezing causes “temperature abuse” that encourages bacterial growth. Only grill salmon that is 100% frozen or fully thawed.
As long as the fish goes straight from freezer to hot grill, grilling frozen salmon poses no safety issues. Now let’s get into how to prep and cook frozen salmon on the barbecue perfectly every time.
How to Prep Frozen Salmon for Grilling
Proper prep is key for grilling frozen salmon fillets Follow these tips for best results
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Work with smaller fillets – Individual 4-6 oz fillets about 1 inch thick will cook much more evenly than a large salmon steak.
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Keep it dry – Rinse any ice crystals off under cool water and pat the salmon dry before grilling. Excess moisture causes steaming.
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Brush with oil – Coating the salmon and grill grates generously with oil prevents sticking.
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Season well – Frozen salmon needs bold flavor. Use a dry rub, marinade, or sauce.
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Use foil – Make foil packets or trays to cook delicate frozen salmon gently on the grill.
Starting with the right cut, keeping the fish dry, oiling well, and seasoning amply sets you up for grilling success. Next let’s get into how to grill frozen salmon step-by-step.
How to Grill Frozen Salmon Fillets
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked grilled frozen salmon fillets:
Step 1: Prep the Grill
Heat your grill to medium-high, 375-400°F. Clean and lightly oil the grates.
Step 2: Prep the Salmon
Rinse fillets under cool water and pat dry. Brush both sides with oil and season.
Step 3: Grill the Salmon
Place the fillets skin-side down. Grill for 4-5 minutes until browned.
Step 4: Flip and Grill Again
Carefully flip each fillet using two spatulas. Grill for another 4-5 minutes.
Step 5: Check for Doneness
Salmon should be opaque and flake easily. Grill for 1-2 more minutes if needed.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Let salmon rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your perfect grilled frozen salmon!
It’s that simple. Keeping the grill hot prevents overcooking and helps the salmon cook evenly. Now let’s go over how to grill frozen salmon in foil for fuss-free fish.
How to Grill Frozen Salmon in Foil Packets
Cooking salmon in foil packets on the grill is a great hands-off method. Here’s how to do it:
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Place thawed or frozen salmon fillets in the center of a large sheet of heavy duty foil.
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Top with sliced lemon, vegetables, herbs, pats of butter and oil. Potatoes, onions, garlic, dill and capers pair well.
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Wrap the foil tightly around the salmon and ingredients to make a well-sealed packet.
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Grill the packets over direct medium-high heat, with the lid closed, for 15-20 minutes.
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Carefully open the packets, being mindful of hot steam. Check salmon for doneness.
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Salmon should be opaque and flaky. If not done, re-seal and grill for a few more minutes.
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Once cooked through, let rest 5 minutes before sliding salmon onto plates.
Foil packets gently steam the salmon while infusing it with wonderful flavor. Next let’s go over how to know when grilled frozen salmon is perfectly cooked.
How to Tell When Frozen Salmon is Done Grilling
It can be tricky gauging doneness with frozen salmon. Follow these visual and textural cues to know when it’s done:
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Opaque, flaky flesh – Salmon should be opaque throughout when cooked, not translucent. It will flake into segments when poked.
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145°F internal temperature – For peace of mind, use an instant read thermometer to check salmon. 145°F indicates complete doneness.
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Slightly firm texture – When pressed gently, the thickest part of the fillet will feel slightly firm but still moist. If mushy, it’s undercooked.
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Loosens from grill grates – Salmon releases cleanly from a well-oiled grill once cooked through.
Remove salmon just before it reaches your desired doneness, as it will continue cooking off the grill as it rests. Next let’s go over some delicious ways to flavor grilled frozen salmon.
Seasoning Ideas for Grilled Frozen Salmon
Frozen salmon needs extra seasoning to shine on the grill. Consider:
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Dry spice rubs – Cajun, jerk, lemon pepper, or barbecue rubs pair well. Press into the fish before grilling.
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Fresh herbs – Stuff salmon packets with rosemary, dill, thyme, oregano or other fresh herbs.
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Citrus – Lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit complement salmon. Use zest or slices.
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Sauces and glazes – Brush on teriyaki, soy sauce, honey mustard or fruit glazes just during the last few minutes of grilling.
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Compound butters – Top grilled salmon with flavored butters made with herbs, citrus, garlic or other mix-ins.
With bold flavors and proper technique, you can enjoy amazingly delicious barbecued salmon—even when grilling it straight from the freezer. Now let’s go over some common mistakes to be aware of.
Mistakes to Avoid When Grilling Frozen Salmon
Even experienced grillers can run into trouble with frozen fish. Avoid these pitfalls when bbqing frozen salmon:
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Don’t use thick salmon steaks or large fillets. Stick with smaller 4-6 ounce fillets for even cooking.
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Avoid partially thawed salmon. Only grill fully frozen salmon straight from the freezer.
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Prevent sticking by generously oiling the salmon and grill grates.
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Don’t sauce too early. Wait until the last few minutes or the sugars will burn.
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Don’t walk away for long! Frozen salmon overcooks quickly. Stay nearby and watch it.
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Use high heat. Frozen fish requires hotter heat to cook through properly.
With the right techniques, you can avoid the hassles and enjoy delicious grilled frozen salmon. For inspiration, check out this easy recipe.
Grilled Frozen Salmon Recipe
This simple recipe for perfect grilled frozen salmon fillets will become a go-to dinner option:
Ingredients:
- 4 frozen salmon fillets (4-6 oz each)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Combine oil, garlic, brown sugar and chili powder. Brush onto both sides of frozen salmon fillets.
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Allow salmon to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes while you preheat grill to medium-high heat, ~375°F.
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Oil grill grates well. Place fillets skin-side down and grill for 4-5 minutes until browned.
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Flip fillets using two spatulas. Top with lemon slices and season with salt and pepper.
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Grill for another 4-5 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
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Remove salmon from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Enjoy this easy grilled frozen salmon with rice pilaf or grilled veggies for a tasty weeknight dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions about BBQing Frozen Salmon
If you’re new to cooking frozen fish on the barbecue, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to the most common FAQs:
Is it really safe to grill frozen salmon?
Yes, it is completely safe to grill salmon directly from frozen. The high heat of grilling kills any bacteria present. Just don’t partially thaw then refreeze.
Should I thaw the salmon first before grilling?
Nope, you can skip thawing and go straight from freezer to grill! Thawing first isn’t necessary.
How long does it take to grill frozen vs. fresh salmon?
Grilling frozen salmon fillets takes about 1-2 minutes longer per side compared to fresh. Budget 10-12 minutes total for frozen.
What’s the minimum grill temperature for frozen salmon?
Aim for at least medium-high, 375°F, heat. The hot temperature ensures the salmon cooks through properly.
Can I grill a large salmon side or steak from frozen?
Stick with thinner 4-6 oz frozen fillets. Large cuts won’t cook through evenly when grilled from frozen.
What if my salmon sticks to the grill grates?
Be sure to rub down the salmon fillets and grill grates generously with oil first. Use two thin spatulas to gently release stuck salmon.
Get Grilling Frozen Salmon Tonight!
As you can see, grilling frozen salmon is easy and completely doable on a busy weeknight. The hot dry heat of the barbecue rapidly thaws and cooks the salmon to tender, flaky perfection.
Keep these tips in mind: work with smaller fillets, oil well, cook over direct medium-high heat, and allow a few extra minutes. Soon you’ll be a pro at grilling delicious salmon straight from the freezer. Never stress about frozen fish again!
Let us know how your bbq frozen salmon turns out. This tasty fish is a perfect choice for your next cookout.
