Gordon Ramsay is one of the world’s most famous chefs known for his exceptional skills and exceptionally high standards in the kitchen. Over the years he has prepared salmon in many different ways that highlight the delicious flavor of this healthy fish. So how exactly does Gordon Ramsay cook salmon to perfection?
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into Ramsay’s specific techniques, it’s helpful to understand some basics about cooking salmon. Salmon is an oily fish that can be prepared using different cooking methods like poaching, baking, grilling, pan searing and more. The fish cooks quickly due to its high fat content.
Some key tips when cooking salmon include:
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Pat the fish dry before cooking to help achieve a nice sear.
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Season the salmon well with salt and pepper. Gordon Ramsay emphasizes the importance of properly seasoning food.
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Use a non-stick pan to prevent the fish from sticking. Ramsay relies on quality cookware.
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Cook the salmon skin side down first to get a crispy skin.
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Flip and briefly cook the other side just until opaque in the center. Be careful not to overcook the fish.
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Let the salmon rest after cooking for moist, tender results.
Pan Seared Salmon
One of Gordon Ramsay’s favorite ways to cook salmon is to pan sear it to get a crispy skin and tender flaky flesh inside. Here is his method for perfectly pan seared salmon:
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Choose a high quality salmon fillet, preferably wild-caught. Pat dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
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Heat a non-stick frying pan with a little vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot.
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Place the fillet in skin side down. Press down lightly with a fish spatula to ensure even contact with the pan.
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Cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy. Ramsay pays close attention to properly crisping the skin.
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Flip carefully and cook the other side for just 1 minute to keep the salmon moist and rare in the middle.
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Remove from heat and let rest for a couple minutes before serving. The salmon will continue to cook from the residual heat.
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Optionally make a compound butter or quick pan sauce to serve alongside.
Roast Salmon
For an easy roasted salmon, Gordon Ramsay rubs the fish fillet with olive oil, seasons with salt and pepper and pops it in the oven:
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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Rub a salmon fillet with olive oil and generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
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Place skin-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
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Roast for 12-15 minutes until just opaque throughout.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
The key is not overcooking the fish. Roasted salmon is that simple to make but so flavorful.
Grilled Salmon
Grilling salmon infuses it with delicious smoky barbecue flavor. Gordon Ramsay grills salmon fillets over direct high heat:
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Oil the grill grates and preheat your grill to high.
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Rub salmon fillets with a little oil or melted butter. Season.
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Place the fillets skin-side down. Grill for 6 minutes with the lid closed.
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Flip carefully and grill the other side for just 2 minutes.
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Remove from grill and let rest before serving.
The fish cooks fast so pay attention not to overcook it. Get those nice grill marks for added flavor.
Poached Salmon
For a healthy poached preparation, Gordon Ramsay submerges salmon fillets in simmering liquid:
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Choose a shallow pan and add enough fish stock or water to just cover the fillets. Add any aromatics like lemon slices or herbs.
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Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
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Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.
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Add the fillets and cook at a low simmer for 8-10 minutes until just cooked through.
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Carefully remove fillets with a slotted spoon or spatula. Discard poaching liquid.
The salmon turns out moist and silky with this gentle cooking method. Poached salmon is delicious served warm or chilled.
Crispy Skin Salmon Per Gordon Ramsay
One of Ramsay’s signature salmon dishes that he serves at his Hell’s Kitchen restaurants is the crispy skin salmon. Here’s how to recreate it at home:
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Score salmon skin diagonally in a few places to help it crisp up better.
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Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and add a little oil.
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Season the fillets well with salt and pepper on both sides.
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Place in the pan skin-side down. Fry for 5-6 minutes pressing down occasionally until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
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Flip and cook briefly on the other side.
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Remove from pan and garnish with sauteed beluga lentils, shaved fennel salad and a citrus herb beurre blanc sauce.
The seared crispy skin contrasts beautifully with the tender medium-rare interior. This restaurant-quality salmon is impressive yet easy to recreate.
Don’t Overcook!
The most important salmon cooking tip from chef Ramsay is not to overcook the fish. Salmon continues cooking from the residual heat after removing from the heat source. Take it off a little before it looks perfectly done. This prevents overcooking and keeps the salmon juicy and flaky.
In Summary
Gordon Ramsay masters cooking delicious salmon through different techniques like pan searing, roasting, grilling and poaching. His salmon is perfectly seasoned and seared but still moist inside. The key is using high quality salmon and avoiding overcooking the fish. With these simple methods, home cooks can enjoy restaurant-quality salmon. Pay attention to the details like properly searing the skin and seasoning the fish well at each stage per chef Ramsay’s recommendations. Salmon is a healthy, quick-cooking fish that pairs nicely with many sauces and sides.
Gordon Ramsay’s Flavorful Salmon And Sides: Extended Version | Season 1 Ep. 1 | THE F WORD
FAQ
What is the tastiest way to cook salmon?
- Pan Seared Salmon – Quick, reliable, and crispy with a simple three-ingredient recipe.
- Breaded Salmon – Golden, crunchy panko crust for a flavorful twist.
- Baked Salmon with Lemon – A juicy, healthy, “set it and forget it” option.
Is it better to pan fry or oven cook salmon?
No – all high fat high protein foods produce glycotoxins when exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, I’d recommend baking it in the frying pan.
Does Gordon Ramsay bake salmon?
This salmon dish will be gone as soon as it’s ready. Gordon Ramsay, the multi-Michelin star chef known for his restaurants and TV shows like Hell’s Kitchen has a simple yet foolproof technique for baking salmon. His recipe results in salmon fillets that are moist, tender and bursting with flavor every time.
How do you cook salmon skin in a Ramsay oven?
To achieve crispy, browned salmon skin, Ramsay bakes at a high temp: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place fillets skin-side up on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes based on thickness. The high heat crisps the skin beautifully without overcooking the inside. It’s important to monitor the salmon and not overbake it:
How long does it take to cook salmon?
Press the salmon down occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent curling. This will give the skin a crispy texture. Once the skin is crispy, which should take about 3-4 minutes, flip the salmon over and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the flesh side. Squeeze fresh lemon over the salmon for added flavor.
Does Gordon Ramsey cook salmon with thyme & garlic butter?
Gordon Ramsey can cook up quite the salmon, and we love his thyme and garlic butter version. All the same, we can’t get enough of Jaime Shelbert’s twist on his recipe. Jaime included lemon juice and zest to add an aromatic component of citrus oils to the fish.
How long do you cook a fried salmon?
Add a touch of olive oil. Place the salmon in the pan, skin side down. Press the salmon down occasionally to ensure even cooking and to prevent curling. This will give the skin a crispy texture. Once the skin is crispy, which should take about 3-4 minutes, flip the salmon over and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the flesh side.
How do you cook salmon skin side up?
Score the skin side of the salmon with a sharp knife making horizontal scores about 1 inch apart. Season both sides of the salmon with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil once the pan is hot. Add the salmon to the pan skin side down.