# Salmon fillets cooking times

How long to cook salmon: **12–15 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan), 8–10 min in an air fryer at 200°C, 6–8 min pan-fried and 8–10 min under the grill**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/salmon-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook salmon

Times are for fillets of about 130–150 g, 2.5–3 cm thick.

Salmon fillets: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) | 12–15 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | On an oiled tray or in a foil parcel. A whole side of salmon (1 kg) takes 20–25 minutes. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 8–10 min | 200°C (400°F) | Skin side down; no need to turn. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 6–8 min | over a medium-high heat | About 5 minutes skin side down until the skin is crisp and the flesh is opaque most of the way up, then 1–2 minutes on the other side. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) | 8–10 min | under a hot grill | Skin side down on foil; no need to turn. |
| [Barbecue](https://feastflow.co.uk/bbq-cooking-times) | 8–10 min | over medium direct heat | Skin side down on an oiled grill or on foil; don’t move it until the skin releases. |
| Poach | 8–10 min | in barely simmering water or stock | – |
| [Steam](https://feastflow.co.uk/steaming-times) | 8–10 min | over simmering water | – |
| [Microwave](https://feastflow.co.uk/microwave-cooking-times) | 3–4 min | on full power, covered | Two fillets, with a splash of water; let stand for a minute. |

## Before you start

Pat dry and season. Cook skin side down first; the skin protects the flesh.

## How to tell it’s done

Just opaque and flaking in the middle, or still slightly translucent if you like it moist (50–55°C).

**Food safety:** Fish is cooked at 63°C (145°F): the flesh turns opaque all the way through and flakes easily.

**Tip:** Frozen fillets can be cooked from frozen: about 20–25 minutes in the oven at 200°C, or 12–15 minutes in the air fryer.

## Questions

### How long to cook salmon in the oven?

12–15 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. On an oiled tray or in a foil parcel. A whole side of salmon (1 kg) takes 20–25 minutes.

### How long to cook salmon in an air fryer?

8–10 min at 200°C (400°F). Skin side down; no need to turn.

### How long to pan-fry salmon?

6–8 min over a medium-high heat. About 5 minutes skin side down until the skin is crisp and the flesh is opaque most of the way up, then 1–2 minutes on the other side.

### How long to grill salmon?

8–10 min under a hot grill. Skin side down on foil; no need to turn.

### How long to barbecue salmon?

8–10 min over medium direct heat. Skin side down on an oiled grill or on foil; don’t move it until the skin releases.

### How long to poach salmon?

8–10 min in barely simmering water or stock.

### How long to steam salmon?

8–10 min over simmering water.

### How long to microwave salmon?

3–4 min on full power, covered. Two fillets, with a splash of water; let stand for a minute.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/