This easy grilled salmon only requires a few salmon fillets, a handful of seasoning, and 30 minutes. Serve this versatile protein with a variety of sides for a healthy, wholesome lunch or dinner.
Easy Grilled Salmon
You can’t go wrong with a perfectly cooked piece of fish! And I love grilling salmon. It works for casual dinners and weekend BBQs. I know firing up the grill for the first time can be intimidating but with a few tips, this is a fail-proof recipe that will leave your whole family satisfied!
Looking for more ways to cook salmon? Try my Broiled Salmon with Cranberry Chutney, Crispy Salmon Nuggets, and Sautéed Canned Salmon next.
Why You’ll Love This Grilled Salmon Recipe
- Grilling Season Fave: This recipe works for any day of the week, but especially during the Spring and Summer seasons.
- Easy Weeknight Meal: Make it meal prep for easy weeknight dinners. I make this dish at least weekly because it is so simple and quick.
- Great Versatility: Salmon pairs well with various sides, and leftovers are great over salads for lunch, eggs for breakfast, or veggies for dinner.
Ingredients for Grilled Salmon
Make the best grilled salmon with pantry staples.
- Salmon filets: You can use wild-caught or farm-raised salmon, just ensure it is cut into individual servings (filets). Be sure to remove the scales and rinse the filets before seasoning.
- Lemon: Use lemon juice for seasoning plus lemon slices to garnish.
- Grilled Salmon Seasoning: I use a simple medley of granulated garlic, onion powder or granulated onion, paprika, coarse salt, and fresh cracked black pepper.
- Olive oil: This helps the seasoning adhere to the fish.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Grill Salmon
Preparing the Salmon for Grilling
I buy a large salmon filet (about 2 lbs). After removing the scales, I cut it into even individual filet pieces. Pictured above is 1 lb of Salmon cut into 4 filets. After rinsing with water, I add a liberal amount of lemon or lime juice (depending on what citrus I have available).
Then I add some basic pantry staples like garlic powder, onion power, black pepper, olive oil, paprika and coarse salt. Simple and clean. That’s all you need for great tasting salmon.
I let this sit while I prep and clean my grill. Then once the grill comes up to temperature we are in business.
How to Grill Salmon with Skin
Cook for 4 minutes on each side and dinner is ready. Between, the prepping, cleaning the grill and cooking this can all be done in about 30 minutes.
Sometimes, my husband cleans and preps the grill while I clean and prep the fish. How does that saying go? Team work makes the dream work. Yes it does. Sharing the work cuts prepping time in half and before we know it we are eating.
What to Serve with Grilled Salmon
- Grilled Veggies: While the grill is hot, prepare some vegetables like zucchini, corn, asparagus, or mushrooms.
- Salad: Toss your grilled salmon in a salad with kale, spinach, or arugula. This fish would taste amazing with a fresh side like Cabbage, Carrot & Mango Slaw.
- Pasta: Salmon tastes delicious over a bed of creamy pasta.
Sauce for Grilled Salmon
When I want to get a little fancy, I top my salmon with some pineapple teriyaki sauce. It’s so easy to make. Just 1/4 cup of coconut aminos teriyaki sauce, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/4 cup of Saucy Lips Foods Pineapple Thai Sauce. Cook that down until it is a thick sauce, add some pineapple chunks (optional), and brush over your grilled salmon. Yum!
Storage
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently in an oven or on the stove. Alternatively, serve it cold with a salad.
Tips for the Best Grilled Salmon
- Grill fillets rather than a large piece of salmon. It’s easier to handle.
- You do not need to marinate salmon. Apply some spices and letting it rest for 5 minutes is more than sufficient.
- Remember to preheat the grill and brush the grill grates with olive oil before placing the salmon on the grill. This ensures even cooking and also helps the salmon stick to the surface.
- Keep the skin on while grilling. It helps the fillet retain moisture and flavor and prevents it from falling apart. It’s also easier to remove the skin after cooking.
- Salmon is cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. But it will continue to cook when removed from the grill so take it off once it reaches 130°F so the filets aren’t overcooked. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grill salmon for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes.
Initially, cook salmon flesh side down first for that perfect sear. Some grilled salmon recipes cook skin side down first but if the grill is properly greased before cooking, this isn’t necessary.
You can wrap salmon in foil when grilling if you prefer but it won’t have sear marks or get as crispy.
Flip salmon just once on the grill. Constantly moving the fish prevents it from searing and makes it more likely to fall apart.
Save it For Later
Easy Grilled Salmon
Equipment
- Grill
Ingredients
- 4 Salmon filets about 1lb, scales removed and washed
- Juice of one lemon plus lemon slices to garnish
- 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder or granulated onion
- 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt or salt to taste
- pinch of fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Instructions
- Mix together granulated garlic, onion powder, paprika, coarse salt and black pepper and set aside.
- Then squeeze the lemon juice liberally over the salmon, then drizzle with olive oil and mix together well ensuring that all the pieces of fish are coated with lemon juice and olive oil.
- Next liberally cover the salmon filets with the seasoning mixture from step 1, then let rest for about 5 minutes while you preheat your grill.
- Heat the grill to 425-450 degrees.
- Brush grill grate with some olive oil then place salmon flesh side down on the grill. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes.
- Remove from the grill and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with slices of lemon and serve warm.
Nutrition
The information listed in the recipe card is an estimate provided by an online nutrition tool. The tool evaluates ingredient names and amounts then makes calculations based on the number of servings listed for the recipe. It is provided as a general guideline and not as a precise calculation. For precise nutrition information please feel free to add the ingredients to your preferred nutrition calculator or consult a doctor or licensed nutritionist.
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