There is no need to flip. Unless you have a well seasoned cast iron grill or one of the really cheap portable grills with thin grates, the flesh of the salmon will most likely stick. To avoid the "sticking panic" cook salmon skin side down and don't flip. Grill approximately 8 minutes per inch of thickness.
So, you want skin that is super crisp and flavorful, just as you would want with chicken. Starting your salmon skin-side down, and cooking it until it is well rendered, lightly browned, and crisp, and then turning the salmon to finish the cooking, will make for a terrific dining experience.
Add salmon skin-side down and let cook 6 to 8 minutes, or until the bottom half of the fish looks opaque and the skin easily releases from the grill. Flip and cook 4 to 6 minutes longer, or until the entirety of the fish is cooked through.
Always bake salmon with the skin side down as this will help protect the fillet from the heat of the pan and it will help the salmon retain its juices and cook evenly. When it's time to serve the salmon, the skin will come off really easily as you slide a spatula between the fillet and the skin.
It's now commonplace for chefs to season and then sear the skin until crispy, then serve the fish portion skin side up. These days, a good rule of thumb is that if your snapper, bass, trout, or salmon is plated that way, the flavorful skin is intended to be eaten.
Bake salmon, uncovered, 4 to 6 minutes per ½-inch thickness. Bake a dressed salmon 6 to 9 minutes per 8 ounces of fish. Always check your fish at the minimum baking time to ensure your baked salmon doesn't get overcooked.
Pre-heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced). Place salmon on a lined baking tray. Season salmon with salt, pepper, oil or your favourite herbs and spices. Place into oven and cook salmon for 20min/kg or 8-10 mins for single portions.
Bake salmon at 400 degrees F for 11 to 14 minutes for 6-ounce fillets or 15 to 18 minutes for a single side, until it registers 135 degrees F on an instant read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the salmon.
Once the color change has moved up about three-quarters of the way from the bottom, it's time to flip. Since the bulk of cooking has already happened, the salmon will cook for a couple minutes more after flipping it flesh-side down.
Pan-frying or pan-searing is one of the best ways to cook salmon fillets. It's quick, easy, and gives the fish that perfect crispy, crunchy skin. A simple pan-fried salmon is the secret to a flavorful and healthy weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
Place the salmon, skin-side up in the pan. Cook until golden brown on 1 side, about 4 minutes. Turn the fish over with a spatula, and cook until it feels firm to the touch and the skin is crisp if desired, about 3 minutes more. The skin can be served or removed easily with a knife or spoon.
Most of the cooking can happen with the fish skin side down. Not only will the skin become more crisp the longer it's in contact with the pan, but it also acts as an insulator, protecting the delicate flesh from becoming tough and dry. It's only time to flip the fish when it's nearly cooked through.
The easiest way to see if your salmon has finished cooking is to gently press down on the top of the fillet with a fork or your finger. If the flesh of the salmon flakes—meaning, it separates easily along the white lines that run across the fillet (strips of fish fat)—it's finished cooking. Take it off of the heat!
The USDA cautions: “do not rinse raw fish, seafood, meat, and poultry. Bacteria in these raw juices can splash and spread to other foods and surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill harmful bacteria.” You remove the skin.
How long does it take to bake? Typically, if you preheat your oven to 400°F or 200°C, your salmon takes about 5-6 minutes per side to get done. In total, you need only 10 -12 minutes to bake salmon.
COOKING SALMON
If you use fresh wild salmon, make sure it's cooked properly and has reached a minimum core temperature of 60ºC/145ºF to ensure that any parasites are killed.
Overcooked Salmon Is Dry
Salmon goes from moist and silky to tough and dry when it's overcooked, even by just a minute or two. This can happen whether you're grilling it, baking it, broiling it, or cooking it on the stovetop, although some methods of preparation are better suited for salmon than others.
The short cooking time on high heat guarantees that the salmon will be juicy and tender. If you/your kids/roommate/partner are starving, this is the recipe to make. Pair it with a simple salad and dinner will be on the table in 15 minutes.
Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in a large clean roasting tray – cut each in half if they don't fit. Lay the rosemary on top and drizzle with olive oil. Gently rub the oil and rosemary all over the fish, and season. Bake for 20 minutes or until just cooked.
Cover the salmon with foil as tightly as you can. This is really the secret to keeping the moisture in and not letting it evaporate as you cook it. Don't exceed 385 degrees for 20 minutes. Salmon is a delicate fish, and needs to bake at a fairly low temperature to maintain its moisture.
Cover if you prefer your salmon to be tender, or leave uncovered if you want the flesh to roast slightly. Roast for 10-15 mins (or about 4 mins per 1cm thickness) until just opaque and easily flaked with a fork.