Everything you need to know about cooking salmon at home, according to a celebrity chef and cookbook author

• Salmon is one of the best fish you can eat, thanks to it being high in omega-3s.
• But beginner chefs can sometimes be intimidated by cooking salmon because there are so many different ways you can prepare it.
• To help simplify things, we chatted with chef Mareya Ibrahim, who shared with us her go-to recipes for simple, tasty salmon.

Got a fillet of salmon in your freezer? Congrats — you've got a healthy, delicious, incredibly versatile dinner just waiting for you to enjoy.

While most people tend to think that white fish, like tilapia and cod, are the most adaptable fish thanks to their mild flavor, you shouldn't sleep on salmon. This beautiful, fatty fish is chock-full of omega-3s, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease and promote healthy skin, hair, and nails.

A simple Google search of salmon recipes can overwhelm you with methods — from steaming to poaching to baking and beyond. That's why we spoke with Mareya Ibrahim, celebrity chef, author of "Eat Like You Give A Fork," and founder of Eat Cleaner, on the best ways to cook salmon, how to shop for the perfect fillet, and more. Ibrahim is a nationally-recognized food expert known as The Fit Foodie. She's authored a number of cookbooks, including "The Clean Eating Handbook" and "The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life." Ibrahim was also a featured chef on the web series Recipe Rehab.

What's the best way to cook salmon?

According to Ibrahim, the easiest and most satisfying way to make salmon is to grill it because unlike in an oven or in sous vides machine, you can actually watch your fillet cook.

"When you overcook salmon, you ruin it," she says. "Grilling allows you to keep an eye on it so that you don't waste your fillet. It's easy to do — you get that yummy, crispy skin, and those gorgeous grill marks." Don't have an outdoor grill? A grill pan on your stove works just as well, Ibrahim says.

But there are other great ways to cook salmon, like baking it in an oven.

"Cooking salmon in the oven is preferable if you are baking it in a sauce or broth," she says. "This will also help to keep it nice and moist, as salmon has a tendency to overcook if not watched carefully."

It's also incredibly easy to cook your salmon on a sheet pan surrounded by veggies for a quick, one-pan meal. "You definitely need to watch it to avoid overcooking," Ibrahim says. "In cases, covering it with foil is recommended, as is setting a timer."

How to choose the right type of salmon

It's always best to buy salmon when it's fresh, not frozen, says Ibrahim. And if you can, look for fillets that are wild-caught instead of farm-raised. That's not to say that farm-raised salmon is necessarily bad for you, but there are longterm issues with farm-raised fish that aren't good for the environment. Here's a good primer on the effects of farm-raised.

Wild-caught fillets tend to be pricier, but you can see — and taste — the difference. "Wild-caught salmon are eating what nature intended," Ibrahim says. "It's eating krill and algae and all the things it's supposed to, so it's higher in omega-3s and has this beautiful color." Wild-caught salmon is more ruby red, while farm-raised salmon is more on the pale pink side.

"Eating wild-caught ensures you're tasting salmon the way that nature intended salmon to taste," she says.

One thing to note, though — most salmon has pin bones, which are tiny little bones that can be dangerous if ingested. You can ask your fishmonger to remove them for you, but they're super easy to pull out at home too. They're spikey, almost like oversized splinters, so run your finger along the flesh until you feel the bones and pull them out with your fingers or clean tweezers. Just make sure to do this before you cook.

Cooking times for salmon

Unlike other fish, salmon actually tastes best when it's a little undercooked in the center — kind of like a good cut of steak.

"Truthfully, if you get really good, fresh salmon, you can eat it raw," Ibrahim says. That's why you tend to see salmon as a star on sushi restaurant menus. You can cook salmon all the way through, but leaving it slightly pink in the center ensures you're biting into a seriously juicy, delicious piece of fish. Ibrahim suggests cooking for three minutes on each side, though it might be more if you have a thick fillet.

And if you get a fillet with skin on it, try eating it. Not only does it taste delicious when crisped up on the grill, but Ibrahim also says it's full of good-for-you ingredients — like essential fatty acids, good oil, and added protein. If you have a fillet without salmon, though, it doesn't affect the cooking time. Just grill or bake it as you would without the skin.

And the beautiful thing about salmon? If you pick a good piece of fish, you don't have to add much to it. That's why you'll notice the following recipes are so simple.

Ahead, Ibrahim breaks down the easiest salmon recipes you'll ever master.

How to cook salmon on the grill or stove

In case you don't have all the tools or ingredients, we've linked them out for you.

Tools

• Shallow mixing bowl
• A grill pan or an outdoor grill
• Tongs for flipping

Ingredients

• 1 pound wild-caught salmon fillet
• 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Lemon wedges for garnish

Directions

1. Whisk together the lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil for an easy marinade. Divide marinade in half.
2. Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour half of the marinade on top. Let sit for at least an hour in the fridge.
3. Oil an outdoor grill and heat to medium heat — about 350 degrees F. If you're using a grill pan on the stove, heat it over medium heat.
4. Place the salmon (skin-side up if it has skin) on the grill. Grill salmon until the flesh is opaque — about three to five minutes each side per inch of thickness, depending on how "done" you want the fish. Only flip it once.
5. Remove from the grill, and pour the remaining marinade over the fillets before serving. Try with a side of steamed, mixed veggies, and lemon wedges.

How to cook salmon in the oven

Tools

• Shallow mixing bowl
• Shallow baking dish

Ingredients

• 1 pound wild-caught salmon fillet
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ cup sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon oil, for the baking dish

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a bowl, mix lime juice, mustard, tamari or soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
3. Place salmon in an oiled, shallow baking dish. Spoon marinade over fish and top with sesame seeds.
4. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque. Garnish with extra sesame seeds and a lime wedge, if desired.