Cooking salmon on the grill can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Using foil packets makes grilling salmon easy and foolproof. To ensure the salmon always comes out moist and flaky, you need to know how long to cook it in foil on the grill. In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about grilling salmon in foil for perfectly cooked fish every time.
Why Cook Salmon in Foil on the Grill?
Cooking fish directly on grill grates can lead to sticking and potentially dry, overcooked fish No one wants sad, dried out salmon!
By making a foil packet, the salmon essentially steams inside its own little oven, keeping it incredibly moist and tender. The packet also makes transporting the salmon from your kitchen to the grill super easy since you can carry it right on the foil.
If you’ve never tried this method, we highly recommend it, especially for larger cuts of salmon. It’s a very forgiving technique. You can even throw the packet right on the cooler side of the grill if needed.
That said, we also love grilling salmon directly on the grates. The presentation is a bit nicer without foil, and you get more of that coveted char flavor. For tips on how to grill salmon without foil, check out our guide on grilling salmon fillets directly on the grill grates.
Okay, back to foil packet salmon! Let’s get into everything you need to know about how to do it.
How to Make Foil Packets for Grilling Salmon
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Pick your salmon: Any wild-caught salmon variety works well here. We like wild salmon best for its great texture and flavor. Thaw frozen salmon in the fridge if using frozen.
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Prep the foil: Cut off a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, long enough to fully wrap your fish. For easy transport, place the foil on a rimmed baking sheet. If desired, add a sheet of parchment paper underneath the foil.
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Season the salmon: We love using fresh herbs, lemon slices, minced garlic, butter, salt, and pepper. See below for more seasoning ideas!
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Add the salmon: Place the salmon fillet on the foil skin-side down.
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Wrap it up: Bring the sides of the foil up and fold to seal the packet, leaving room inside for air circulation.
That’s all you need to do to prep the foil packets! Now let’s get into exactly how long to grill them.
How Long to Grill Salmon in Foil Packets
The cooking time depends on a few factors:
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Thickness of the salmon: For a 1-inch thick salmon fillet, cook for 10-12 minutes. For a 1.5 pound thick salmon fillet, cook for 14-18 minutes.
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Doneness preference: For medium-rare, grill just until opaque and starting to flake. For well-done, cook until flakes easily.
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Grill temperature: We suggest grilling on medium heat, around 375°F to 400°F.
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Charcoal vs. gas: This method works for either! On a charcoal grill, use indirect heat.
We recommend checking thickness at the thickest part of the fillet a few minutes early. Use an instant-read thermometer for the most accurate doneness – salmon is perfectly cooked between 125°F and 135°F.
Tips for Easy, Perfectly Cooked Salmon in Foil
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Start with high-quality wild salmon and pat dry before seasoning.
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Use heavy-duty foil to prevent tearing and leaking.
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Oil the foil lightly to prevent sticking.
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Season salmon simply with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, and lemon.
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For extra flavor, add compounds butter, soy sauce, or teriyaki sauce.
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Grill over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed if possible.
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Check for doneness early using a meat thermometer for accuracy.
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Let rest 5 minutes before opening packet to allow salmon to finish cooking.
Simple and Delicious Salmon Seasoning Ideas
While lemon and dill are classics, the seasoning possibilities are endless!
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Lemon Garlic: Lemon slices + melted butter + minced garlic + parsley
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Lemon Pepper: Lemon slices + lemon pepper + parsley
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Caper: Capers + thyme + lemon
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BBQ: BBQ sauce + lemon slices
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Soy: Soy sauce + minced garlic
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Brown Sugar: Brown sugar + melted butter + lemon
Grilling salmon in foil packets is a foolproof method for moist, flavorful salmon every time. With the right thickness-based cook time and a tasty seasoning blend, you’ll have a delicious and easy salmon dinner off the grill in no time!
The best salmon for grilling
Whether you’re working with wild-caught or quality, responsibly raised fish, the cut of salmon will make a difference. Here is what I look for grilling:
- Center-cut salmon fillet: The center-cut part of the fish t is thicker and more uniform so it will cook more evenly(No dry edges and undercooked middles here!)
- Skin-on salmon: Particularly if you’re cooking it directly on the grill, it’s a good idea to use skin-on fish fillets. The skin holds the salmon together as it cooks over dry heat, and it also imparts good flavor as it releases fat that keeps the fish moist. But if you only have skinless salmon fillet, I recommend grilling the fish in foil instead.
How to grill salmon
Cooking salmon on the grill directly over the hot grates will take less than 10 minutes! Here is how:
- Season the salmon. Pat the salmon dry and season well (see the seasoning and marinade ideas above). You can refrigerate the marinated fish for 20 minutes or so while you heat up the grill or work on sides.
- Start with high direct heat. The grill should be heated to around 450 degrees F. I use a gas grill, but you can also use a charcoal grill.
- Oil the grates. Brush the grates generously with oil. This is so important to make sure the salmon does not stick to the grill.
- Grill salmon flesh side down FIRST, then flip over once. Place the salmon fillets on the grill flesh side down first (so the skin is facing you). Raw salmon is relatively firm, so starting it off with the flesh facing down is a great way to get some nice grill marks on the salmon without it falling apart. Close the grill lid and do not disturb the salmon for 2 to 3 minutes. Once you see a thin layer of opaque (cooked) flesh closest to the heat, gently flip the salmon over using tongs and a spatula so it is skin-side down. The skin will help hold the salmon together. Lower the heat to medium (about 350 degrees F) and close the lid again. Cook for another 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon.
- Take the fish off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes or so. Remove the salmon from the heat when the flesh is just opaque. At that point, if it is still not cooked enough to your liking, you can put it back on the heat. But you can’t undo overcooked grilled salmon, so it’s better to take it off the heat the moment the flesh turns from translucent to opaque. Allow the fish to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes or so before serving, the salmon will continue to cook as it sits. This will give you tender juicy salmon with loads of flavor.Note: your salmon is cooked when its internal temperature registers 145 degrees F, but take it off the grill when it is a few degrees below that.
How to Grill Salmon in Tin Foil
FAQ
How long does salmon take on the grill in foil?
How long does it take to cook salmon in foil?
How long should fish stay on the grill in foil?
Bend the foil over the fish and fold each edge so that it becomes a pouch. Use a fork to poke a few holes in the top to release steam as it cooks. Place the foil packets on the grill. Grill over medium-high for 5 to 7 minutes (depending on the size of the fillet) on a gas or charcoal grill.
How long does it take to grill salmon?
Grilling salmon typically takes 6-10 minutes per side depending on the thickness of the fillet and the grill temperature. For a 1-inch thick fillet, grilling for 6-8 minutes per side over medium-high heat is a good starting point. Thicker portions may require a few minutes longer.
How long to cook salmon on a grill in foil?
**How long to cook salmon on the grill in foil?** The ideal cooking time for salmon on the grill in foil depends on the thickness of the fillets. In general, it takes around 12-15 minutes for salmon to cook fully on a medium heat grill.
How do you cook salmon on a grill?
Pat each piece of salmon dry and place it on the foil. Sprinkle the salmon with the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin (add a few grinds of black pepper if you like). Close the foil and seal it around the salmon. Grill: Place the packet directly on the grill grates and cook for 6 minutes.
Can you cook salmon in foil?
Both gas and charcoal grills work well for cooking salmon in foil. The choice depends on your personal preference and the flavor you desire. 12. Can I prepare the foil packets in advance?
How long do you cook salmon on a charcoal grill?
To achieve this temperature, the cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the salmon fillet. Based on personal experience and recommendations from expert grillers, a general guideline for cooking salmon in foil on a charcoal grill is about 10-15 minutes per inch of thickness.
Can you cook salmon in foil on a charcoal grill?
Grilling salmon in foil on a charcoal grill is a popular cooking method that helps to lock in the moisture and flavors of the fish. However, it’s important to cook the salmon for the right amount of time to ensure that it is cooked through but still tender and juicy.
What temperature do you Grill salmon in foil?
For grilling salmon in foil, a medium-high heat of around 400°F (200°C) is generally recommended. This temperature allows the salmon to cook evenly and retain its moisture. If your grill doesn’t have a built-in thermometer, you can use an infrared thermometer or a grill surface thermometer to monitor the temperature.