How To Cook Frozen Salmon in Microwave (9 Easy Steps)

Categorized as Microwave Cooking
How to Cook Frozen Salmon in The Microwave

Are you a salmon lover? If you are, then you must know how healthy they are for us. Fish is a great source of B6 & B12, protein, and Omega 3 and makes up one-third of meats recommended as part of our daily diet.

However, fish is known to create all sorts of issues when cooked frozen. One common question asked by seafood fans is, “How to cook frozen salmon in the microwave?”

Well, today, I will give you tips on how to make your frozen salmon perfectly using a microwave. Read his article and enjoy eating healthy food!

Is It Safe To Microwave Salmon?

It is safe to microwave salmon just like any other frozen fish. The main risk you need to take care of while microwaving salmon is whether or not the fish has been cooked all the way through.

Here’s a short guide on how to microwave frozen salmon:

To cook your salmon perfectly, place the frozen salmon on a microwave-safe dish and season it. Next, cover the dish with a microwavable lid or plastic wrap and cook for approximately three to four minutes on high power. Check for doneness and repeat if required.

That’s all! It’s super easy, isn’t it?

Usually, it’s fairly easy to tell when the salmon has been cooked all the way through. To see if your salmon has finished cooking, you can gently press down on the flesh. If the flesh is beginning to flake, it’s done.

Another thing to look for is the color. Properly cooked salmon will change from a translucent pink to an opaque color. This is indicative of the protein and fats having been cooked enough to change from a raw state into one that’s safe for human consumption.

For even more accurate results, you can use a food thermometer and check the internal temperature. The internal temperature should be 145°F to ensure proper doneness.

How Long To Cook Frozen Salmon in a Microwave?

Before we go into the details of how to cook frozen salmon in a microwave, let’s get an answer to the question of how long you can expect to cook frozen salmon.

In general, you can expect to cook an 8 oz fillet of frozen salmon for about three to four minutes.

Of course, the cooking time will vary depending on the power of your microwave and how cold the salmon was to start with. If you are using a high-powered microwave, your cooking time may be shorter. And so, if you have thawed the fish in the fridge, it will take less time than if it was still frozen.

Other things that can affect your cooking time include the number of salmon pieces in the microwave and the thickness of the salmon pieces. If you are cooking thin strips, they will cook faster than if you are cooking thicker pieces.

If you’re cooking more than one salmon fillet in the microwave at once, they will take different times to cook. If you are cooking more than one piece, it is suggested that you cook in batches to ensure even cooking.

How To Cook Frozen Salmon in the Microwave

As mentioned above, the main challenge while cooking salmon in a microwave is ensuring that all parts of the fish are cooked through. This can be accomplished by following a few simple steps.

  1. Remove the frozen salmon from its package. Place it on a microwave-safe plate. Do not use the original package as it may not be safe for microwave use.
  2. Microwave on defrost for one to two minutes. If you have defrosted the salmon, you can skip this step and go to step five.
  3. After two minutes of defrosting, check your salmon. Does it feel warm? If it does feel warm, let it cool down for a minute or two before proceeding. If it does not feel warm, continue microwaving your fish on defrost for another one to two minutes.
  4. Repeat if necessary until the salmon fully thaws. (Usually, it takes about six to eight minutes per pound of salmon.)
  5. Once the salmon has been fully defrosted, cut the salmon into two inches thick pieces.
  6. Season your salmon with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and whatever other spices you desire, and add two tablespoons of water to the plate.
  7. Cover the plate with a microwave-safe lid or cling wrap. When you wrap the dish, be sure it’s a tad loose so that the steam has an escape. You don’t want to trap the steam, or your fish can explode. You can also poke one or two holes in the cling wrap to allow the steam to escape.
  8. Microwave for three to six minutes on high power, depending on how many pieces of salmon you have and how thick they are. Start by microwaving it for three minutes. Then, if the salmon is not done, continue microwaving it in additional minute intervals until it’s done. This way, you can avoid overcooking the salmon.
  9. Check if your salmon is fully cooked by gently pressing down with your fingers. Fully cooked salmon should be flaky and easily pulled apart. If the salmon still feels like it has a lot of bounce, continue microwaving your salmon for one-minute intervals until it is ready.

Why Does Salmon Explode in the Microwave?

Salmon is a type of fish that is high in fats (don’t worry, it is good fats). When the fats in the salmon are heated at high temperatures and come in contact with moisture in the fish, they can create a lot of steam and pressure. The pressure, steam, and heat can cause the salmon to explode in your microwave.

You can reduce the odds of this happening by piercing the salmon with a fork several times before cooking. This will release some of the steam and pressure created during the cooking process, and your salmon will be less likely to explode in your microwave.

You can also try patting your salmon dry with a paper towel or leave it in the fridge uncovered for one hour before cooking to allow some of the moisture to evaporate.

Conclusion

So can you cook frozen salmon in the microwave? Yes, you can. But it is important to follow the right instructions to ensure that your salmon is cooked through and not overcooked.

By Rosie Elliott

I’m Rosie. I’m a professional chef with experience in Western, Mediterranean, and Italian cuisine. I’ve been cooking for over 15 years, and I have two daughters that keep me busy!