How To Tell if Your Salmon Is Cooked, According to Chefs

Cooking salmon perfectly is an art.

Cooking salmon perfectly is an art. It’s very easy to overcook it, and then you’re left with a piece of fish that’s dry, tough and just plain unenjoyable to eat. To help you cook salmon to the perfect medium (or well done, if that’s what you prefer) every time, we reached out to a variety of chefs and food experts to get their best advice. Without further ado, here’s how to tell if salmon is cooked just right so you can go forth and enjoy a delicious, nutritious piece of fish for dinner.

Related: 65 Best Salmon Recipes for Easy Dinners

How To Tell if Salmon Is Cooked

Wondering how to tell if salmon is fully cooked? There are a couple of methods you can employ.

1. Use a food thermometer

“The best way to ensure your salmon filet is done cooking is to use a thermometer,” says Elizabeth Shaw, RDN, president of Shaw Simple Swaps and author of Instant Pot Cookbook for Dummies. To do this, place the food thermometer in the thickest part of the salmon filet, recommends Kai Chase, a celebrity chef. When it reaches 125 degrees Fahrenheit, which means it’s cooked medium, which is Chase’s preferred doneness for salmon. “If you prefer a more well-done salmon filet, which results in a drier and firmer texture, you’ll want the thickest part of the filet to reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit,” she says.

2. Flake the fish with a fork

Want to know how to tell if salmon is cooked without a thermometer? Here’s the easiest way: “To know if your salmon is cooked to medium, use the tip of your spatula, fork or finger to gently press down on top of the filet to see if the salmon starts to flake,” explains Chase. “If it does, it’s done cooking and you should take it off the heat immediately to prevent overcooking and drying out the fish.”

3. Look for visible signs

Of course, there are also some visible signs your salmon is done cooking. “You’ll know your salmon is cooked when it starts to flake,” reiterates Chase. And when it comes to color, "salmon will turn from a translucent color to pink as it cooks,” says Michael Senich, vice president and corporate executive chef for LongHorn Steakhouse. You’ll want to see an opaque whitish pink color on the outside and a more translucent pink on the inner part for medium-done salmon adds Chase. Senich also points out that salmon will have a stronger odor when overcooked, so it’ll be pretty obvious if you’ve gone too far.

Related: 40 Best Baked Fish Recipes

Common Questions About Cooking Salmon

Ever asked yourself, “Is it OK if salmon is a little undercooked?” or, “Is salmon supposed to be pink when fully cooked?” Well, we’ve got the answers to your most pressing questions so you can stop second-guessing yourself in the kitchen!

Is it OK if salmon is a little undercooked?

Chase says she enjoys her salmon medium, so she would prefer it a little undercooked vs. overcooked. Keep in mind that salmon continues to cook after you remove it from the heat, adds Chase, so it’s best to take it off the heat sooner rather than later.

Of course, you want to make sure your salmon isn’t too undercooked because this could lead to food poisoning. “I would not suggest consuming any seafood that is undercooked for obvious food safety reasons,” says Shaw. So make sure your salmon filet has reached 125 degrees Fahrenheit for medium doneness—or 145 degrees Fahrenheit for well-doneness, which is what the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends for salmon.

Is salmon supposed to be pink when fully cooked?

Yep! Salmon will be pink when fully cooked. “Since salmon contains a natural pigment that gives it its pink/red hue already, you’ll notice a slightly lighter shade of pink when fully cooked,” notes Shaw.

What does undercooked salmon look like?

“Undercooked salmon will appear more red than pink in its flesh color and will not flake easily with a fork,” says Shaw. Additionally, “it will still have the translucent color in the center,” says Senich.

How long does it take to cook salmon?

“Salmon cook times will vary based on thickness and the cooking method being used,” says Senich.

Here’s a rundown of cooking time guidelines for various cooking methods:

• Grill: Senich explains that at LongHorn SteakHouse, they grill their 7-ounce salmon filet on a 425-degree flat grill, skin side down, for five minutes, then flip and continue to cook for another three to four minutes.

• Bake: If you’re thinking about cooking salmon in the oven, Chase suggests preheating the oven to 400 degrees and then baking the salmon en papillote, or in parchment paper, for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the filet.

• Sous vide: To sous vide salmon, Chase says she generally cooks the filet for about 30 minutes at 120 degrees.

• Air fry: “If I’m short on time or preparing dinner for one to two people, I like air frying my salmon for 10-12 minutes at 385 degrees,” says Chase.

Related: 55 Best Air Fryer Fish Recipes

How To Cook Salmon the Right Way

If you want to know how to cook salmon like a pro, then you’ve come to the right place. For starters, Chase recommends cooking your salmon to medium for the best results. “You’re looking for crispiness on the outside and that melt-in-your-mouth texture on the inside,” she says.

Salmon is a great fish and takes on marinades very well, adds Senich. That’s why Chase likes to use homemade rubs and citrus salt to give her salmon a deliciously bright flavor profile. “If I have more time to prepare, I recommend wet brining your salmon for about 10 to 15 minutes and patting it dry before frying in a skillet,” she says.

And remember: how long it takes for your salmon to cook will depend on the thickness of the filet and the cooking method you choose. You can use the above tips to help you determine just how long your cooking time will be and whether your salmon is fully cooked. Bon appetit!

How To Tell if Cooked Salmon Is Bad

Finally, you might be wondering how to tell if cooked salmon is bad and if those leftovers in your fridge are still safe to eat. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, you can store seafood in the fridge for three to four days after cooking. And if your cooked salmon smells sour, rancid or too fishy, then you shouldn’t eat it, per the Food and Drug Administration.

Related: 17 Grilled Salmon Recipes You'll Want to Eat All Summer Long

Sources

• Elizabeth Shaw, RDN, president of Shaw Simple Swaps and author of Instant Pot Cookbook for Dummies

• Kai Chase, celebrity chef

• Michael Senich, vice president and corporate executive chef for LongHorn Steakhouse