Grilled Salmon
Grilled Salmon is one of the tastiest, healthiest, and most pleasurable ways to enjoy fish. With these tips, this grilled salmon recipe is easy and excellent! Hereās everything you need to know to grill perfect pieces of salmon like the pro you are (or like the pro you are about to become!).
Even if youāre a grilling novice, youāll feel like straight-up Bobby Flay when you pull crispy-skinned, succulent fillets hot off the grill.
When Iām cooking for a crowd or want leftovers, I prefer to cook a single, large piece of fish like Grilled Salmon in Foil.
When you want to cook individual portions, however, this method for grilled salmon fillets is the one to choose.
Tips for Perfect Grilled Salmon
To grill pieces of salmon that are 1) moist and tender (not dry!), 2) optimally seasoned, and 3) donāt stick to the grill, follow these tips:
Choose Skin-On Salmon. If you want to cook salmon directly on the grill grates, you must use skin-on salmon fillets or the salmon will not hold together.Season or Marinate. Well-seasoned salmon is delicious salmon. Use Salmon Seasoning or your favorite salmon rub, try a Salmon Marinade, or make a stellar simple grilled salmon with just olive oil, salt, and pepper.Make Sure Your Grill is CLEAN and HOT. 450Ā°F to 500Ā°F is the ideal temperature for grilling salmon. It will ensure the fish releases easily and that you get a nice sear.Only Flip Once. Fish is delicate. Whether youāre making Grilled Swordfish, Grilled Cod, or grilled salmon, flipping it more than once is very likely to cause it to fall apart. Also, if the skin gets a little messed up during flipping, no biggieāit wonāt affect your final taste.Donāt Overcook the Salmon. Overcooking is the biggest mistake people make when grilling salmon. Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness and anticipate that the salmonās temperature will rise as it rests. The FDA considers salmon cooked at 145Ā°F; I recommend removing salmon between 130Ā°F and 135Ā°F to keep it moist.
tip!
For more about cooking salmon to the perfect internal temperature, see my Salmon Temperature Guide.
How to Make Grilled Salmon
Look in the mirror and believe as I do: YOUāVE GOT THIS!
Keep the grill hot and clean, your thermometer and fish spatula handy, and pour yourself a beverage.
Cooking salmon on the grill is easy and fun!
This recipe will work for any kind of grillāgas grill, charcoal grill, electric grill, Traeger, etc.
Remember: no matter what kind of grill you use, cook the salmon to temperature, not to time on the clock.
The Ingredients
Salmon. Tender, protein-packed salmon is easy and delicious on the grill. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. Brushing the fillets with extra-virgin olive oil helps add flavor and moisture. It also keeps them from burning or sticking to the grill. Seasonings. How to grill salmon with flavor! Keep it simple with just salt and pepper (you must add these two), add garlic powder or onion powder, or spice things up as you please. See the āWays to Season Grilled Salmonā section below for ideas.
The Directions
Let the salmon stand at room temperature.
Dry the fillets.
Brush the salmon with oil.
Sprinkle the fillets with salt, pepper, and other desired seasonings.
Grill the salmon skin-side down over medium-high heat for about 6 to 7 minutes.
Flip the salmon, cooking for about 2 to 4 minutes more. Let rest for 5 minutes on a clean plate. ENJOY!
Ways to Season Grilled Salmon
BBQ Grilled Salmon. Stir together 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne. Rub the mixture onto the fillets after brushing them with the oil. Serve with Barbecue Sauce if desired.Chili Lime Grilled Salmon. Season the fillets with 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon honey. Drizzle freshly squeezed lime juice over the fillets after grilling. (This would be wonderful with Grilled Corn Salad.)Curry Grilled Salmon. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons curry powder to the spices listed in this grilled salmon recipe. Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon. Instead of olive oil, brush the salmon fillets with melted butter. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Drizzle the finished fillets with additional garlic butter and add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Sweet, Smoky, and Spicy Grilled Salmon. Use my homemade salmon seasoning recipe. Itās linked in the recipe card below.
Storage Tips
To Store. Refrigerate salmon in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days.Ā To Reheat. Very gently rewarm salmon in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat. You can also gently reheat salmon in the microwave.Ā To Freeze. Freeze salmon in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.Ā
Leftover Ideas
Prepare Salmon Pasta, but use your leftover grilled salmon in the recipe. Leftovers can also be used to make my Salmon Salad.
What to Serve with Grilled Salmon
Rice. A side of Lemon Rice or Instant Pot Brown Rice would be delicious.Pasta. Pair this salmon with Mushroom Pasta, Garlic Pasta, or Pesto Pasta. Vegetables. Enjoy more grilled goodness by serving Grilled Potatoes or Grilled Asparagus. Roasted Broccoli and Oven Roasted Vegetables are tasty options too.Salad. Try a simple Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, Pesto Potato Salad, or this Caprese Pasta Salad.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Tongs. A must-have tool for grilling. Baking Sheet. Easily transport your fillets to the grill with a baking sheet. Brush. Ideal for brushing the olive oil onto the salmon.
This crispy-topped, succulent salmon will be on repeat here all grilling season long.
Youāll fall for it hook, line, and sinker!
Frequently Asked Questions
See Cedar Plank Salmon for a clear recipe and tips for grilling with cedar planks.
Do not remove the skin when grilling salmon, as it keeps the fish moist and also prevents it from falling apart. The skin is easy to remove for serving if you prefer.
Start by grilling your salmon skin-side down. Itās much easier to flip the fillets when the skin side is down, so starting with that side is best since weāre only flipping it once.
Yes, you can grill frozen salmon, but it needs to be thawed first. If youād like to cook the salmon directly from frozen, make Instant Pot Salmon instead.
The amount of time it takes to grill salmon will vary based on the thickness of your fillets, if they are farmed or wild-caught (wild-caught salmon is leaner and cooks more quickly), and the exact temperature of your grill. Plan on about 8 to 12 minutes over medium-high heat.
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Grilled Salmon
Ingredients
Optional
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika1/4 teaspoon garlic powder and/or onion powderSalmon Seasoning add 1 teaspoon to each fillet and omit all other seasonings, including salt
To Marinade
Salmon Marinade Use in place of above seasonings
Instructions
Notes
TO REHEAT: Very gently rewarm salmon in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat. You can also gently reheat salmon in the microwave.Ā
TO FREEZE: Freeze salmon in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.Ā
Nutrition
More Delicious Salmon Recipes
From bourbon glazed salmon to Whole30 salmon with avocado tomato salad, thereās something everyone will enjoy!
