Salmon is a delicious and healthy dinner option, especially during the summer months when its lightness and quick preparation make it ideal for avoiding a hot kitchen. However, many home cooks struggle with salmon turning out dry, rubbery, and bland. Fortunately, a simple everyday ingredient can solve this problem: olive oil.
Why Salmon Dries Out
Fish is considerably leaner than other meats, meaning it lacks a thick layer of fat to protect it from high heat. Although salmon is fattier than most fish, its moisture can still evaporate quickly during cooking, causing the tasty juices to escape and leaving the fish dry.
The Simple Solution: Olive Oil Marinade
Katie Workman, cook and founder of TheMom100, shares a remarkably simple technique: a marinade made with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. She explains, "This simple olive oil, garlic, and herb marinade adds flavour, but more importantly, it helps protect the salmon from becoming dry in the oven. The olive oil-based marinade ensures that it doesn't dry out when baking."
Olive oil coats the salmon's skin and shields it while cooking, reducing water evaporation in the outer layer. This maintains tenderness and keeps the juices inside. Additionally, olive oil enhances the salmon's naturally rich flavour and helps achieve crispy skin, providing the perfect texture without dryness.
How to Prepare Juicier Salmon
Ingredients
- Two salmon fillets
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
- One teaspoon of minced garlic
- One teaspoon of oregano or thyme
- One lemon (zest and juice)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- Finely chop the garlic by cutting cloves into thin strips, then crush with the flat side of a knife. Continue chopping until very fine.
- Extract the lemon juice and grate the yellow outer skin (zest). Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, chopped garlic, herbs, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Place salmon on a baking tray. To prevent sticking, drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil on the tray or use cooking spray.
- Spoon the olive oil marinade over the salmon, using your hands or a spoon to work it into the fish until fully coated. Pour any leftover marinade into the tray.
- Bake for 10 to 13 minutes until the salmon is thoroughly cooked. The skin should be golden brown, moist, and easily flaked at the edges.
- Monitor the salmon after 10 minutes, as it can easily become dry if overcooked. The olive oil marinade helps protect it, but caution is advised.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for three to five minutes. This allows the salmon to finish cooking gently and enables moisture to spread evenly, resulting in a juicier finish.
With this effortless technique, you can enjoy perfectly golden, moist, and flavourful salmon fillets in just about 25 minutes total, including preparation and cooking time.
