Salmon offers significant levels of several important nutrients. Half a fillet of wild Atlantic salmon offers at least half of your daily requirements for vitamins B12 and B6, niacin and selenium as well as more than a quarter of your daily requirements for phosphorus, thiamin and panthothenic acid. Cooking frozen salmon on the stove or oven is definitely the preferred method, but it's possible to use the microwave too.
Remove the salmon from the freezer and from any packaging. Place the salmon on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on “Defrost” setting (or 30 percent power) for one to two minutes, depending on the weight of your salmon.
Check the salmon to see if it feels warm and soft. If so, allow it to stand until it cools, then return it to the microwave for another one to two minutes on “Defrost.” If not, immediately microwave it for another one to two minutes on “Defrost.” Repeat this process until the salmon is fully defrosted. This will probably take six to eight minutes per pound of fish.
Cut the salmon into pieces that are no more than 2 inches thick, allowing it to cook thoroughly and evenly.
Season the salmon with salt and pepper to taste, then add 2 tbsp. of water to the plate, taking care not to wash the seasonings off the fish. Cover the plate of salmon with a layer of microwave-safe plastic wrap. Leave the wrap slightly loose or puncture several times to allow excess steam to escape.
Microwave the salmon on high for three to six minutes depending on its size and thickness. If you're not sure of the best time for your fish, start at three minutes. Check the fish at the end of this time to see if it's done. Fully cooked salmon will be opaque and flaky. If the salmon is not done, cook it for another minute and check it again. Repeat this process until the salmon is perfectly cooked.
Tip
Rotate the position of the salmon on the plate each time you check it. This will help to ensure it cooks evenly. Add other flavors or seasonings to the salmon at the same time as the salt and pepper, if you wish. You could include a splash of lemon juice, a dash of smoked paprika, a pinch of chili flakes or a sprig of fresh herbs.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Morgan O'Connor has been writing professionally since 2005. Her experience includes articles on various aspects of the health-insurance industry for health-care newsletters distributed to hospitals as well as articles on both international and domestic travel.