Ever heated your leftover salmon in the microwave, bursting with excitement as your mouth salivates, waiting to dig into the delicious remainder of last night’s dinner.
However, when you dig into your leftover salmon, you find it is as dry as the dessert and unpleasantly rubbery?
Reheating salmon may seem like an easy task, but when you end up with less than stellar results every time you reheat it, it is time you learn how to reheat salmon the correct way.
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Can You Reheat Cooked Salmon?
Of course, you can reheat cooked salmon. Most people avoid reheating salmon because it decreases the quality of the fish.
However, I believe it’s best to lower your expectations just a bit when reheating salmon.
Yes, fresh is best, so the salmon will not taste identical to when it was removed from the skillet or grill.
Nevertheless, if you reheat your salmon the right way, it will be a close second to freshly cooked salmon.
Can Reheating Salmon Make You Sick?
Whether it is salmon or shrimp, there are some concerns regarding reheating seafood.
Fresh or cooked seafood that sits at room temperature can breed bacteria leading to food poisoning.
Bacteria grow at exponential rates at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. Reheating salmon may not neutralize these bacteria, so you may still contract food poisoning.
If your salmon sits at room temperature between 40°F and 140°F for more than 2 hours, throw it in the trash.
Remember, if bacteria were present before you refrigerated it, bacteria would be present after removing it from the fridge and reheating it. Therefore, proceed with caution when you are reheating seafood.
As soon as you finish eating your salmon, place the leftovers into airtight storage containers and refrigerate the salmon.
How Do You Reheat Salmon Without Drying It Out
The best way to reheat salmon is using aluminum foil and being patient.
Whether you are reheating brisket, pulled pork or corn on the cob, the most destructive mistake you can make is heating using high temperatures.
High temperatures are a sure-fire way to end up with dry, bland salmon, which is the opposite of what you want.
Therefore, you must reheat your leftover salmon at a low temperature to preserve its moisture and flaky texture.
In addition to this wrapping, your salmon in foil will prevent the exterior of the salmon from drying out before the salmon’s interior is heated.
How to Reheat Salmon
Reheating salmon can be a little tricky. One minute your salmon could be moist and flavorful, and the next, it could be dry and bland.
Therefore, knowing how to reheat salmon is essential.
How to Reheat Salmon in the Oven
Yes, reheating salmon in the oven takes longer than most methods. However, it is the best way to preserve the salmon’s flaky texture.
To reheat your salmon in the oven, heat it to 275°F. Add the juice of half a lemon onto your salmon.
Alternatively, you can also rub the salmon with a tablespoon of olive oil instead of lemon juice.
Place the leftover salmon into a baking dish and cover it loosely with foil. Cook the salmon for 15 minutes until it has a temperature of 145°F.
If the salmon does not have a temperature of 145°F, cook it for another 5 minutes until it does. Serve the salmon immediately.
How to Reheat Salmon on the Stovetop
Reheating salmon on the stovetop is one of the easiest methods you can use to reheat salmon. Simply brush or rub your salmon with a layer of oil, butter, or ghee.
The fat will help preserve the salmon’s moisture as well as act as a layer of protection against the harsh heat of the skillet.
Add the leftover salmon to a skillet, cover it, and heat it over medium-low heat for 5-6 minutes per side until heated through. Serve the salmon immediately.
How to Reheat Salmon in the Microwave
Most people can agree the microwave is notorious for heating food unevenly. In addition to this, it does a number on delicate foods such as salmon.
However, convenience trumps the drawbacks of using a microwave to reheat salmon.
To reheat your salmon in the microwave, place it into a microwave-safe dish. Place a damp paper towel over the salmon or cover the bowl with the lid.
The paper towel or lid will help the heat disperse evenly and prevent the salmon from being heated unevenly.
Moreover, if you are reheating salmon without a sauce or with side dishes such as rice, ensure adequate moisture is in the bowl.
If you are reheating sauceless salmon white rice, add a tablespoon of vegetable broth, water, or lemon juice to the bowl to prevent the salmon from drying out.
Heat the salmon in the microwave for 30 seconds, then turn it over and stir your side dishes with a fork.
Return the salmon to the microwave and heat it for another 30 seconds until warmed through. Serve the salmon immediately.
How to Reheat Salmon on the Grill
There’s nothing like grilled or BBQ salmon. However, reheating salmon on the grill can be tricky since it is likely to fall apart because it is already cooked.
Set up indirect and direct grilling zones on your kamado grill by placing the coal onto one side of the grill.
Place your salmon onto parchment paper and add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, pepper, or your desired seasonings.
Wrap the parchment paper pouch in foil, place the salmon directly onto the offset grill’s indirect heat zone, and cook it for 15 minutes.
How to Reheat Salmon in the Air Fryer
Reheating leftover salmon in the air fryer is one of the easiest ways to warm up salmon.
Air fryers are designed with so many preprogrammed settings, all you have to do is press a start button and let the air fryer do the work for you.
To reheat your salmon in the air fryer, heat it to 360°F for 5 minutes. Add the salmon to the air fryer’s basket and cook it for 4-5 minutes until it has a temperature of 145°F.
Final Thoughts
Many people believe that salmon will never be delicious on the second day. Even though there is nothing like freshly cooked salmon, having leftover salmon is unavoidable.
Nevertheless, leftover salmon will be delicious as long as you reheat it correctly.
You might also be interested in:
- How To Reheat Crab Legs
- How To Reheat Lobster
- How To Reheat Crab Cakes
- How To Reheat Crawfish
- How To Reheat Shrimp
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.