Best Whole Grilled Salmon Recipes

WHOLE GRILLED SALMON WITH MUSTARD AND DILL

Steps:

• Mix together one-half cup of the dill, two tablespoons of the mustard and the vinegar. Spread the fish open and rub this mixture over the flesh. Close the fish up and secure the edge, using slender skewers or sewing it with heavy thread. Rub the skin of the fish with one tablepoon of the oil, cover loosely and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for one hour.
• Meanwhile prepare the sauce. Combine the remaining dill and mustard in a small mixing bowl. Beat in one-third cup olive oil, the lemon juice and sugar. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Preheat grill to very hot. Oil a fish basket large enough to hold the fish or oil your racks. If you do not have this equipment you can also use a well-oiled double-sheet of heavy-duty foil into which you have punched holes with a fork.
• Grill the fish 10 minutes on each side, or a little longer, depending on the intensiy of the heat. For best results, you should cook the fish with the grill covered for about half the cooking time. You will be able to turn the fish only once either by turning the basket or by lifting the fish off the rack with a couple of large spatulas. You can also turn it by just turning the foil package. Before turning it, brush some oil on the skin. After turning it, you may find that some of the skin has stuck to the grill despite your best efforts. Don't worry. The second side, which will be turned up for serving should brown nicely and not stick at all. The fish is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted in the center meets little or no resistance. Do not overcook the fish.
• When the fish is done, place it on heavy-duty foil. Roll it onto a serving plate so the bottom side of the fish is on top. Remove the skewers or trussing and decorate with sprigs of dill. Serve the fish hot or at room temperature with the sauce on the side.

GRILLED HERBED WHOLE SALMON

Steps:

• Rinse any ice glaze from frozen salmon under cold water and pat dry.
• Lay out 2 sheets of aluminum foil, double thickness, on a large tray. Coat top layer with nonstick cooking spray.
• Lay half of onions lengthwise across foil. Place salmon over onions.
• Squeeze lemon on both sides of fish. Sprinkle dry seasoning onto salmon.
• Place fresh herbs over, under and into belly cavity (if fish is not frozen).
• Lay out remaining two sheets of foil, double thickness and coat top layer with nonstick spray and place coated side face down onto herbs and salmon.
• Roll up, crimp, and seal all sides to form packet.
• Cook frozen salmon over medium-hot grill (450 F), 5-6 inches from heat for 50-60 minutes, turning packet every 15 minutes.
• Cook until fish is opaque throughout.
• Cook fresh or thawed salmon over medium grill (400 F) 5-6 inches from heat for 45-55 minutes, turning packet over every 15 minutes. Cook until opaque throughout.

WHOLE GRILLED SALMON WITH CHANTERELLES

Steps:

• Chanterelles:
• Heat a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Add butter and oil and swirl pan until butter is melted. Add mushrooms, thyme, and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing often, until mushrooms are golden brown and tender, 5-8 minutes; set aside.
• Salmon and assembly:
• Prepare a grill for medium-low heat. Using a sharp knife, make a slit along belly of salmon, running from rib cage to tail. Turn salmon on its back and cut along both sides of backbone without piercing through skin on other side. Carefully remove backbone without tearing skin, then remove pin bones with small needle-nose pliers or tweezers. Season inside of fish with salt and pepper and stuff lemon slices, dill, thyme, and tarragon inside cavity. Tie wet kitchen twine around fish in several places to secure. Place on a rimmed baking sheet; rub skin all over with oil.
• Carefully place fish on grill grates and grill, uncovered, until flesh on bottom side is mostly opaque but still slightly translucent in the center, 12-18 minutes. Carefully turn fish and cook on the other side to the same doneness, 8-10 minutes. Transfer fish to a clean rimmed baking sheet and let rest at least 10 minutes.
• Place skillet with chanterelles directly on edge of grill to reheat while you portion the fish. Remove strings and peel back skin from salmon; discard. Break flesh of top fillet into large pieces and transfer to a platter. Discard aromatics and remove skin from bottom fillet, break up, and transfer to platter. Season with more salt and pepper and spoon warm chanterelles over.

WHOLE GRILLED SALMON

Steps:

• In a medium skillet, melt the butter over moderate heat. Add the mushrooms and saute for five minutes. Add the tomatoes, chives, parsley, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper and cook for five minutes longer.
• Stuff the fish with the mixture and roughly sew the cavity shut with a large needle and white cotton string. Rub the outside of the fish with oil and place it on a clean, well-oiled grill over moderately hot flames. Pull down the cover of the grill, or cover the fish with foil.
• After about 10 minutes, gently turn the fish and grill on the other side just until the fish is firm to the touch, about 10 minutes. Remove to a large platter and garnish with lemon wedges and bunches of parsley and dill.