Easy Broiled Salmon (So Fast!)

This broiled salmon recipe cooks in just 10 minutes, an easy method that makes moist and flaky fish without preheating! It’s perfect weeknight dinners or entertaining.

Here’s one of my easy dinner secrets I use on a weekly basis: broiled salmon! I’ve always felt like broiling gets overlooked as a cooking method. But once you discover how fast the broiler cooks fish, you’ll love this as much as I do.

Don’t get me wrong: baked salmon is fantastic. But broiling is faster, easier, just as delicious, and get this: you don’t even need to preheat your oven! While it cooks, you can make the rest of the meal, like a few side dishes or a salmon sauce. It comes out so flaky and moist in less time than it takes to order takeout.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why I think you’ll love this recipe (if I haven’t sold it enough already):

It’s fast. While baked salmon requires a full preheat cycle, the broiler gets hot almost immediately. You’re cooking from above with concentrated heat, so 1-inch salmon fillets cook in about 7 to 10 minutes total.
It’s delicious. The high heat makes a a lightly caramelized top with that almost-crispy texture, while the inside stays perfectly moist.
It’s great as is, or with a sauce. I think it’s over-the-top delicious with chimichurri or dill sauce, but it’s great on its own too!

5 Star Reader Review

“Ohhhhh my goodness is this broiled salmon delicious! I’m going to do this brining and broiling method every time now. Nice crispy top, flaky insides. Aaaah it was perfect!” -Tanvee

Pro Tips for Broiling

If you only read one thing in this article, read this part! Here are a few things to know about broiling:

All broilers vary, so watch the cook time carefully! The exact timing for broiled salmon depends on two things: the specific broiler and the thickness of the fish. It will be different every time: so watch closely! A food thermometer is the best way to know when the salmon is done (which is at 125 to 130°F).
The salmon should be about 6 inches below the broiler heating element. Position the rack accordingly. Most broilers are about 3 to 5 inches from the heating element.
Do you need to preheat a broiler? You don’t need to preheat, but turn it on about 5 minutes before you want to cook to give it time to heat up.
What temperature is best for broiling? Most broilers don’t have temperature settings. If yours does, use a high broiler setting, which is around 500°F.

How to Broil Salmon: Step by Step

There are just a few steps to broiled salmon; here’s what to know (or go right to the recipe):

Step 1: Preheat the broiler. (Make sure the oven rack is positioned so the salmon is 6″ from the heating element.) Place the salmon in a salt water solution for 15 minutes to season it and allows it to come to room temperature.

Step 2: Place the room temperature salmon on a foil lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season (see full recipe for quantities).

Step 3: Broil the salmon for 4 to 5 minutes for very thin salmon or 7 to 10 minutes for 1-inch thick salmon, until just tender and pink at the center and the internal temperature is 125 to 130°F in the center.

Important: The timing on when salmon is done depends on the thickness of the piece of salmon and the actual broiler itself. Use your best judgement: a food thermometer is key!

Choosing the Right Salmon

There are lots of options when it comes to salmon at the grocery store! If you’re looking for a great piece of salmon, here are some pointers:

Look for 1 to 1 1/2-inch thick salmon fillets. You might find this type labeled “center cut” at the store. You can also use thinner fillets like sockeye salmon, which take less time to cook.
Buy fresh salmon, wild caught if possible. Salmon fresh from the fish counter usually has the best flavor. Frozen can work, but opt for highest-quality possible. Fish that is wild caught in your country is usually a sustainable choice. There are also quality options in well-regulated farms; see Seafood Watch Consumer Guide.
Make sure to buy skin on. You’ll need skin-on salmon for this recipe.

My Tip for Perfectly Cooked Fillets

Brining the salmon is technically optional, but after lots of recipe testing, I’ve found it makes the best flavor and texture for broiled salmon.

It does a few important things: it seasons the fish through the entire fillet, and it helps to bring the salmon to room temperature, which is important to ensure even cooking.

It also helps to prevent something called albumin, the white stuff that sometimes rises to the surface of salmon when it cooks.

Broiled salmon with chimichurri sauce on cutting board

Salmon Sauce Pairing Ideas

You don’t need a sauce for this broiled salmon, but it steps it up a notch! Here are a few of our favorite sauce ideas (in order of my personal preference):

Chimichurri: This bright and herby sauce is a natural fit: spooning the green sauce over the top looks beautiful, too.
Lemon Dill Sauce: This comes in at a close second! It’s creamy and tangy.
Pesto Salmon: I love salmon with a drizzle or basil pesto.
Miso Glazed Salmon: Try brushing the salmon with miso glaze before and after broiling.
Some of my other best sauces for salmon include lemon caper sauce, remoulade, and more.

Side Dishes to Serve Alongside

This broiled salmon makes a great healthy dinner idea when paired with a healthy side dish. When it comes to salad recipes, I love this simple arugula salad with lemon and parmesan, my lemony kale salad or this fresh apple salad with walnuts.

It’s also nice to serve with a whole grain like seasoned quinoa or lemon rice.

Since broiled salmon cooks so fast, I make veggies on the stovetop to go alongside, like my ultimate sauteed vegetables, sauteed cabbage or peas with lemon.

Storage Tips and Leftover Ideas

You can store leftover broiled salmon for up to 3 days refrigerated. To reheat broiled salmon, place it on a baking sheet, loosely cover with foil, and reheat at 275°F for about 15 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can dry out the fish, and reheating it in a skillet can overcook the fish.

For leftover salmon, I personally like repurposing it into new things the next day, like salmon cakes or salmon salad.

Dietary Notes

This broiled salmon recipe is pescatarian, gluten-free and dairy-free (without the lemon butter sauce).