Whether to grill salmon covered or uncovered is a common question for home cooks. The main factors to consider are temperature control, moisture levels, charring, and cooking time. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at the pros and cons of grilling salmon both covered and uncovered to help you decide which method works best for your needs.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about grilling salmon covered vs. uncovered:
- Covering salmon makes it cook faster since the lid traps heat and steam around the fish. Uncovered grilling cooks the salmon slower.
- Covered grilling helps keep salmon moist and tender. Uncovered grilling promotes drier flesh and more charring.
- Covered grilling limits your control over doneness. With the lid off, it’s easier to monitor salmon and prevent overcooking.
- Both methods can produce delicious salmon. Covered grilling is best for fast weeknight meals. Uncovered allows better char and is ideal for thicker salmon cuts.
Benefits of Grilling Salmon Covered
Grilling salmon with the lid on has several advantages:
Faster Cooking Time
Closing the grill lid traps heat inside, raising the ambient temperature. This allows the salmon to cook faster than over direct heat alone. How much faster? Expect covered salmon to cook in about half the time of uncovered.
More Even Cooking
The hot air circulates around the salmon fillets more evenly when the lid is on. This promotes uniform doneness from end to end instead of overcooked outsides and undercooked centers.
Better Moisture Retention
Covering the grill also traps steam released by the salmon as it cooks. This steam keeps the fillets tender and moist. Salmon grilled uncovered tends to dry out faster.
Requires Less Attention
You don’t have to hover over covered salmon as closely during cooking. The retained heat means you can step away briefly without risk of burning or undercooking. Just be sure to set a timer.
Downsides of Covered Grilling
Despite the benefits, covered grilling also has some drawbacks:
Less CharFlavor
With the lid on, salmon won’t develop as much smoky char. The steam limits browning reactions. If you want good char marks, uncovered grilling is best.
Lower Control Over Doneness
It can be tricky gauging when covered salmon is done to your desired doneness. Removing the lid frequently lets heat escape. Salmon can overcook quickly once the lid goes back on.
Moisture Build-Up
Too much steam inside the grill can make salmon slimy. This moisture also reduces the distinct grilled flavor.
Potential Sticking
The constant steam from covered grilling can cause fillets to stick to the grill grates more easily. Oil the grates well before preheating.
Benefits of Uncovered Grilling
Grilling uncovered also has some advantages:
Better Browning and Char
Without the lid trapping steam, uncovered salmon gets excellent char marks from the grates. This adds smoky, savory flavor.
Lower Moisture Means Crisp Skin
The dry heat crisps up the salmon skin beautifully. Covered grilling produces soft, soggy skin.
More Control Over Cook Time
You can easily watch, flip, and probe uncovered salmon. This makes it easier to get the perfect doneness you want.
Intensified Smoky Flavor
The constant exposure to grill smoke penetrates the salmon flavor deeply. Covered grilling dilutes the smokiness.
Downsides of Uncovered Grilling
Here are some of the potential cons of grilling salmon uncovered:
Slower Cooking Time
With no trapped heat or steam, uncovered salmon takes roughly twice as long to cook. This isn’t ideal for quick weeknight meals.
Higher Risk of Drying Out
Lacking steam, uncovered salmon can easily overcook and turn dry. Pay close attention to doneness.
Uneven Cooking
Without circulating air, thick parts of salmon may cook slower than thin areas. Frequent flipping helps prevent this.
More Frequent Monitoring
You’ll need to check uncovered salmon often to prevent burning. This may mean rearranging or flipping pieces more often.
Cooking Time Comparison
To see the cooking time difference, here is a simple table with estimates:
| Salmon Cut | Covered Time | Uncovered Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1-inch fillet | 6-8 minutes | 12-14 minutes |
| 1.5-inch fillet | 8-10 minutes | 14-18 minutes |
| 2-inch steak | 10-12 minutes | 18-22 minutes |
As you can see, covered grilling cooks salmon in about half the time. The times can vary based on thickness, heat level, and your desired doneness.
Choosing Between Methods
Now that you know the pros and cons of covered vs. uncovered grilling, here are some recommendations for deciding between them:
For Weeknight Meals, Covered Grilling Is Best
If you want quick salmon for busy weeknights, cover the grill. The faster cooking time gets salmon on the table sooner.
For More Control, Grill Salmon Uncovered
When you have time to monitor the salmon closely, cook it uncovered. This gives you better control over doneness and flavor.
For Moist Salmon, Cover Is Ideal
If your priority is tender, juicy salmon, go with covered grilling. The steam keeps the flesh moist and prevents drying out.
For Crispy Skin, Grill Uncovered
For delicious crispy, crackly skin, uncovered grilling is your best option. The dry heat will crisp the skin beautifully.
For Thicker Cuts, Uncovered Is Better
Thick salmon steaks and fillets over 1.5 inches do best uncovered. The slower cooking time allows the inside to cook without overdoing the outside.
For Char and Smoke, Grill Uncovered
To get the most smoky salmon flavor with nice charred bits, grill it uncovered. Covering dilutes the smoke and limits browning.
Tips for Grilling Salmon
Keep these tips in mind for delicious grilled salmon regardless of your covered vs. uncovered approach:
- Pat salmon dry before grilling for better browning.
- Oil the hot grill grates right before adding salmon. This prevents sticking.
- Use a digital thermometer to check doneness, especially for thicker cuts.
- Let salmon rest 5 minutes before serving. This finishes the cooking process.
- Flip salmon gently with a thin spatula to prevent breaking.
- For more moisture, baste salmon while grilling with a sauce glaze.
Conclusion
Grilling salmon covered and uncovered both have their merits. Covered grilling cooks faster, retains moisture, and requires less attention. Uncovered allows better char, crispier skin, and more control. Consider the thickness of the cut, desired cooking time, and texture when deciding on a method. With the right technique, you can achieve tender, flaky, full-flavored grilled salmon.