How long do you cook salmon in foil

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Light yet flavorful and delicious, this Salmon in Foil recipe is a perfect dish for a busy weeknight meal. It takes no more than 20 minutes from start to finish. This dish is also featured on Netflix® “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories”.

How long do you cook salmon in foil

Salmon in Foil, or SHA-ke no Hoiru Yaki (鮭のフォイル焼き), is a fast, simple and delicious dish. When I was growing up, my mom would serve a variety of ‘salmon in foil’ for dinner when she was short on time. All you have to do is toss a few ingredients into a foil, wrap it up like a parcel and let it steam over in a frying pan. In no time at all, you have a healthy meal that your family will love.

Salmon and Mushrooms – Netflix “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories” Season 2

You can find this Salmon in Foil dish featured on the popular Netflix® show – Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories (Season 2, Episode 6). In the show, this dish is called “Salmon and Mushrooms” as they include both salmon and mushrooms.

How long do you cook salmon in foil
Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories© TBS Television

Salmon in Foil is rather a home-cooked dish in Japan. You rarely find it on the menu at restaurants or Shokudo (食堂) diners. So let’s make it at home!

Why You Should Try This Salmon in Foil Recipe

1. Moist and tender salmon

No one likes dry salmon. Cooking the salmon in foil is all about retaining the moisture and tenderness inside. This method, when cooked over low heat, also ensures a proper steaming process. It locks in all the delicious juice, resulting in a lush and delicate salmon!

2. Versatile recipe

The recipe never gets old in my family because you can switch up the veggies and the seasonings. Salmon pairs well with a range of vegetables, so you can always include seasonal greens to make things interesting.

I included some of my suggestions below. However, I personally love this salmon, mushrooms, and veggie combination. They work very well together with simple seasonings.

3. Quick cook and easy cleanup

As opposed to the oven method, there is no pre-heating required. You can literary cook the salmon in 12 minutes. It’s that FAST! If you can wrap up all the ingredients in foil in 8 minutes, this is a 20-minute meal!!

Since everything is tucked inside the foil, it makes the easiest cleanup. There is also no oil or sauce, so you don’t even have to clean the stove or the frying pan.

How long do you cook salmon in foil

Variations for Salmon in Foil

If you enjoyed this recipe and wanted to try out other variations, here are more suggestions for your next dish.

Ingredients

  • Enoki mushrooms
  • King oyster mushrooms
  • Green leafy vegetables (cut vegetables into julienned strips so they will cook fast)

Seasonings

Instead of suggested condiments in the recipe, you can try the following seasonings.

  • Butter + Lemon
  • Butter + Garlic
  • Butter + Shio Koji
  • Butter + Soy Sauce
  • Butter + Miso
  • Butter + Ponzu
  • Mayo + Miso
  • Mayo + Soy sauce
  • Miso + Mirin
  • If using salty seasonings, add in sugar, mirin, etc.

My favorite way to enjoy this dish is to drizzle on Homemade Ponzu.

Do We Add Water to the Frying Pan?

I thought some of you may wonder about this – don’t we need to add water to steam the fish? The answer is no; the salmon will be steamed inside the foil, so water is not necessary.

But how about the frying pan? Will it be damaged by the heat? My pan has never damaged by this cooking method. If you are worried, you can add water but you need to cook an extra 2 minutes or longer. The water in the pan distributes gentle heat so it requires more time for the onion to cook through.

How long do you cook salmon in foil

Itadakimasu!

With layers of textures and flavors, this salmon in foil is predictably foolproof, every single time. Serve with steamed rice and miso soup, and a side of salad if you have extra time. With this recipe in your back pocket, you will have more reasons to cook healthy meals for yourself and your loved ones.

Other Quick and Easy Recipes

  • Weeknight Meal Ideas: 15 Easy Japanese Recipes
  • Shrimp Fried Rice
  • Teriyaki Salmon
  • Beef Udon
How long do you cook salmon in foil

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How long do you cook salmon in foil

Salmon in Foil is a perfect dish for a busy weeknight meal! Light yet flavorful and delicious, this recipe is quick and simple to make, taking no more than 20 minutes from start to finish. 

Prep Time: 8 mins

Cook Time: 12 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

  • 2 fillets salmon (8.5 oz, 240 g; I use salmon from a Japanese grocery store, so it's a thinner cut)
  • kosher salt (Diamond Crystal; use half for table salt)
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ onion (3 oz, 85 g)
  • 3 oz carrot (2", 5 cm)
  • 1.8 oz shimeji mushrooms (½ package)
  • 2 shiitake mushrooms
  • 2 strands chives
  • 1 ½ Tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
  • 1 Tbsp sake (divided)
  • 2 Tbsp ponzu or soy sauce (for drizzling; for the homemade ponzu recipe, click here)

Japanese Ingredient Substitution: If you want substitutes for Japanese condiments and ingredients, click here.

  • Gather all the ingredients.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

To Prepare Salmon

  • Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides of the salmon fillet.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

  • Thinly slice the onion and cut the carrot into julienne strips.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

  • Cut off the bottom of the shimeji mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms. Break up shimeji mushrooms with your hands and thinly slice shiitake mushrooms.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

  • Cut the chives into small pieces.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

  • Prepare two 12” x 12” (30 x 30 cm) sheets of aluminum foil. Thinly spread the butter in the center on both sheets.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

  • Place half of the onion slices and put the salmon on top, skin side down.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

  • Put two kinds of mushrooms and then carrot julienne strips on top of the salmon.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

  • Add ½ Tbsp sake and ½ Tbsp butter on top.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

  • Bring the top and bottom aluminum foil over the salmon and fold a few times. Then bring the sides together and fold a few times to make sure the foil is tightly closed and no opening. Repeat the same process for the second salmon.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

To Cook on the Stovetop

  • Place the two sets of salmon in foil on a frying pan and cover with a lid (no need to add water). Cook the salmon over medium heat for 2 minutes, then medium-low heat for 10 minutes. If you have 1 to 1 ½ inch-thick salmon, you will need to cook for 15-18 minutes (Open the foil to check the doneness).

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

To Bake in the Oven

  • Alternatively, you can bake at a preheated 425ºF (218ºC) oven for 15 minutes. For a convection oven, reduce cooking temperature by 25ºF (15ºC). If you have 1 to 1 ½ inch-thick salmon, you will need to cook for 18-20 minutes. Carefully open the foil to check the doneness, if you're not sure.

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

To Serve

  • Carefully open the aluminum foil to enjoy the salmon, sprinkle chives and drizzle ponzu or soy sauce on top. Enjoy!

    How long do you cook salmon in foil

Calories: 314 kcal · Carbohydrates: 13 g · Protein: 26 g · Fat: 17 g · Saturated Fat: 7 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 89 mg · Sodium: 430 mg · Potassium: 960 mg · Fiber: 3 g · Sugar: 5 g · Vitamin A: 7459 IU · Vitamin C: 6 mg · Calcium: 43 mg · Iron: 1 mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: easy, quick, salmon

©JustOneCookbook.com Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any website or social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on December 16, 2017. The post has been edited and republished in April 2020.

How long do you cook salmon in foil

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Namiko Chen

I'm Nami, a Japanese home cook based in San Francisco. Have fun exploring the 800+ classic & modern Japanese recipes I share with step-by-step photos and How-To YouTube videos.

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Does salmon cook faster in foil?

The foil helps cook the fish faster and just all around better. Another reason is that it's a healthy way to cook fish. Yes, salmon is already a very healthy fish. But if you cook it in foil, you don't have to use a lot of oil or butter to cook it.

How long does salmon take to be cooked?

Perfectly cooked salmon will take 20 to 25 minutes in an oven at 350 F. However, you can also cook it in an air fryer or on a grill, which will take less time. Salmon should be juicy and easy to flake with a fork once it is cooked. You can glaze it or marinate it to infuse it with more flavor if you like as well.

How long should the salmon be in the oven?

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place salmon, skin side down, on a non-stick baking sheet or in a non-stick pan with an oven-proof handle. Bake until salmon is cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes.

How long do you grill salmon in foil?

Seal the Foil Packet and GRILL!.
Salmon should be grilled over medium heat, about 375 to 400 degrees F. ... .
Once you close the grill lid, the salmon should cook for 14-18 minutes, until almost completely cooked through at the thickest part..