Grilled Alaskan Salmon On The Blackstone

People are always asking me about how to cook Alaskan salmon on the Blackstone Griddle.

Cooking salmon on the griddle is super simple when you use this Blackstone Griddle recipe for Alaskan salmon. Although, the majority of the credit goes to the wild fish itself.  

What Makes Alaskan Salmon Different?

Wild Alaskan seafood is in a category of its own. It's firmer, milder, and more flavorful than any farm-raised fish.

Today, we're cooking salmon from Catch Sitka Seafoods, based in Sitka, AK.

Along with the superior taste of this salmon, I like the idea that there are real people catching our food who take pride in what they do and enjoy sharing it with others.

I've actually gotten to know some of these fishermen personally and to say that they take pride in their wild salmon harvest is an understatement.

This recipe pays respect to how the fisherman cooks king salmon or sockeye salmon. Cooked properly, Alaskan salmon flakes easily, and won't stick to the grill. 

 

Living in Montana, it's not always easy for me to get good seafood. Fortunately for me, Catch Sitka can literally have fish headed to me within a couple of hours of catching it. 

Is Alaskan Salmon Good For You?

Alaskan salmon is packed with good things for your body.

One thing I love about Alaskan salmon cooked on the Blackstone Griddle is that it is not only simple to make, but it's packed with Omega-3 fatty acids.

Along with the beneficial aminos, this salmon comes with a delicious cocktail of vitamins D, A, E, B6, B12, niacin, and riboflavin. Wild Pacific salmon is considered one of the healthiest to eat, which is nice!

How to grill salmon

Fortunately for us, salmon is close to perfect for cooking on the grill. As long as the fish is patted dry with a paper towel, it will brown up nicely. If you don't have a griddle you can place the salmon in foil and cook it directly on the grill grates. 

Surprisingly, you can get similar results by doing this and lowering the grill lid to keep the heat inside the grill while cooking. It's even more delicious if you give the salmon a splash of lemon juice or soy sauce after cooking for an additional pop of flavor.

How long does this recipe take to cook?

This recipe comes together quickly and is ready to eat in about half an hour. It's perfect for a light lunch, elegant dinner, or even make-ahead meal prep.

 

 

Is Frozen Salmon Healthy?

The debate over frozen salmon is ongoing.

On one side, we have health experts and doctors who claim that frozen salmon is unhealthy.

On the other side, we have people who swear by the nutritional value of frozen salmon. Who’s right? Let’s look at each side to see what the real story is.

Doctors often warn against eating frozen foods because they are less nutritious than fresh or canned foods. The freezing process destroys many of the nutrients and often leaves harmful bacteria behind as well. Even so, frozen salmon has some undeniable health benefits that you should know about.

But the real confusion arises when people compare fresh salmon to frozen salmon.

Fresh salmon is only available in the summer as it needs to be harvested before winter.

In recent years, salmon companies have started freezing fresh salmon to extend its shelf life and allow consumers to enjoy fresh-tasting fish all year round.

A study conducted on this topic concluded that there was no significant difference between the nutritional contents of frozen salmon and fresh salmon.

 

What temperature should you cook salmon to?

The best thing about cooking salmon is how versatile it can be. Salmon can be cooked in various ways into a number of dishes, or you can even eat it raw. The reason salmon is so versatile is that there are so many ways you can cook it.

But do you know the best temperature for cooking salmon?

According to The Food Lab, the best temperature for cooking salmon is 135 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s perfect for medium-rare salmon.

The reasoning behind this varies, but the most important reason is that 155 degrees is the point at which fish proteins begin to break down and form a rubbery texture.

credits: Image by DanaTentis from Pixabay

How do you know when salmon is done cooking?

One of the most common kitchen questions that people ask is, how do you know when salmon is done?

If you’re cooking salmon on the griddle, grill, or in the oven, it can be difficult to know when it’s cooked.

Salmon is a meaty, dense fish that’s more forgiving than other kinds of fish. But if you don’t handle it correctly, the salmon will end up dry and overcooked.

The best way to tell if salmon is done cooking is by using a thermometer to check its internal temperature. The USDA recommends that you cook salmon to 145 degrees F, which is medium-rare. Cooked over 150 degrees F, the fish will become too dry. Although The Food Lab recommends cooking to 135F we prefer it a little closer to 140F and enjoy the texture when it's cooked to that temperature.

📖 Recipe

A similar version of this recipe debuted in my book The Flippin' Awesome Backyard Griddle Cookbook. If you like seafood on the griddle, this seared scallop recipe is worth checking out.  For people who love shrimp, this play on a shrimp burger uses rice for a bun and makes a delicious open-faced sandwich.

You can find a variety of Blackstone Griddle recipes here that are all delicious and simple to make.

Now that you've mastered Alaskan salmon you should try this recipe for shrimp and scallops! It won't disappoint.

If you try any of these recipes, let me know! I'd be honored if you drop me a comment or email. 

If you've been thinking about getting a griddle, Blackstone now has an air fryer built into their griddle and another one that runs on electric power rather than gas. Both of these offerings are worth checking out!