This grilled salmon is coated in a flavorful marinade then grilled until golden brown. A super easy dinner option that will earn you rave reviews! This salmon can also be baked, broiled or pan seared.
My grill is one of my favorite cooking devices, I regularly make grilled chicken tenders, steak kabobs and this sweet and savory grilled salmon.
There are so many different ways to prepare salmon – it can be baked, broiled, pan seared, steamed, you name it. In my opinion, the best recipe for this fish is grilled salmon, especially when there’s a flavorful marinade involved!
Salmon Ingredients
This recipe calls for salmon fillets, as well as marinade ingredients including olive oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon zest and herbs.
How do you make grilled salmon?
This recipe starts with a simple marinade that includes olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, herbs and spices. Whisk all the ingredients together, then add the salmon to the bowl. The salmon should marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours. The salmon can then be removed from the marinade and placed on the grill. Grill your fish until it’s done, then serve with lemon wedges and enjoy.
Tips for grilled salmon
- This marinade can be made up to 3 days before you plan to use it. Simply store the marinade in the fridge until you’re ready to add your salmon.
- You can use the marinade to flavor small salmon fillets, or try marinating a larger side of salmon. If you’re planning to cook a large piece of salmon, I’d recommend cooking it in foil since it will be difficult to flip on the grill.
- I typically grill my salmon outdoors when the weather is nice, and indoors on a non stick grill pan on cold days. Either way will work just fine!
Recipe FAQs
Salmon is cooked through when the flesh is opaque and flakes easily from the fillet. If you’re not sure that the salmon is done, you can use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature. If the temperature of the salmon is at least 145 degrees F, then the salmon is ready to eat. You want to be sure not to overcook your salmon as it can get tough and dry.
Salmon is a great choice for a healthy diet. It’s high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Salmon is full of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin B12, potassium and selenium. Salmon is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which have numerous health benefits.
If you’re using an outdoor grill, you’ll want to take care to make sure that your salmon does not stick to the grates.
1) Make sure your grill grates are super clean. If there are bits of old food left on the grilling surface, the salmon will be more likely to stick.
2) Coat your grill grates with vegetable oil before you place the salmon on the grill. You should also add a little extra oil to the surface of your salmon for added insurance that it will not stick.
3) Make sure your grill is pre-heated before you add the salmon.
Flavor Variations
This recipe is great as-is, but you can add other flavors to customize the dish to your tastes.
- Herbs: Try swapping out the parsley and thyme for other herbs such as basil, chives or dill.
- Spicy: If you like a little kick to your salmon, feel free to add your favorite hot sauce or red chili flakes to the marinade.
- Garlic Lover’s: Increase the amount of garlic in the recipe to 1 tablespoon.
- Protein: This marinade will also work with other types of seafood including shrimp, halibut and swordfish.
This grilled salmon is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, yet elegant enough to serve to company. It’s one of my all time favorite ways to enjoy salmon!
More great salmon recipes
Grilled Salmon
Ingredients
- 6 salmon fillets 4-6 ounces each
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon parsley leaves chopped
- 2 teaspoons thyme leaves chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Place the olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Reserve 1 tablespoon of the marinade in the refrigerator for later use. Add the garlic to the bowl.
- Add the salmon to the bowl of marinade. Spoon the marinade over the salmon and cover the bowl.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.
- Remove the salmon from the marinade and scrape off any excess bits of herbs or garlic (otherwise they could burn on the grill!).
- Preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan over medium high heat. If you’re using an outdoor grill, be sure to thoroughly coat your grill grates with vegetable oil.
- Add the salmon fillets and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side or until salmon is opaque throughout.
- Brush the reserved marinade over the salmon fillets, then serve.
Notes
- This marinade can be made up to 3 days before you plan to use it. Simply store the marinade in the fridge until you’re ready to add your salmon.
- You can use the marinade to flavor small salmon fillets, or try marinating a larger side of salmon. If you’re planning to cook a large piece of salmon, I’d recommend cooking it in foil since it will be difficult to flip on the grill.
Jan says
Cooking every night so tried this salmon and it was amazing!
Jackie G says
I don’t typically use the grill, just more comfortable in my kitchen but I gave it a shot and it turned out fantastic! Thank goodness I bought extra salmon because both my husband and daughter went back for seconds. Thanks for the recipe!
Karen says
Spectacular! Easy with great results. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Keith A. Nye says
This recipe makes salmon a great tasting meal. This may be the best salmon recipe I have ever grilled and eaten. I placed our salmon in aluminum foil and crimmed it tightly, double wrapped. I grilled it 7 min per side . After each side was baked, I opened the foil and grilled the salmon to get a smoky taste without putting the salmon on my grill. Mm mm! Great!
Ankitdeep says
It came out amazing! I added Turkish red pepper to it and grilled it on one side at 350 degrees/5 mins and other side at 250 degrees for 2 mins for salmon fillets without skin. And it goes very well with fennel and apple salad!
Debbie says
We loved how yummy this salmon was!
Michael Wolf says
If the salmon filets have skin on one side, do you remove it before marinating and cooking? TY!
Sara says
I recommend leaving the skin on as the salmon will fall apart without the skin attached.
FELICIA THAYER says
What temperatures if you bake it and how long?
Sara says
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then broil for 3-4 minutes!
Becky Hardin says
Love this recipe! The perfect way to eat salmon.
Cailyn Medley says
Salmon is the perfect summer food for grilling!
krissy says
this is one of the best grilled salmon recipes ive ever tried. well done.
Melissa says
This is such a great grilled salmon recipe! Thank you!
Eden says
So delicious! We love grilled salmon!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
This looks divine! I love salmon and eat it all year, but especially in the summer. Thanks for including those great tips to keep it from sticking – often my problem!
Ramsha says
Your grilled salmon looks strong and attractive flavor. One idea to serve this meal with white jasmine rice as Asian style.
It will be the best choice for family dinner for tonight.
Shannon Graham says
This is some of the prettiest salmon I’ve ever seen. Definitely putting this on the dinner rotation list.
Steph says
I’ve been trying to eat healthier and this was the perfect recipe! So easy to make and the flavor was incredible!
Catalina says
I am definitely craving this for dinner! This salmon looks so inviting!
Chrissie Baker says
I love this recipe. I will definitely try it asap. Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️ Love the photos too ❤️❤️
Beth Pierce says
I am loving this marinade! So light and tangy; will make a great dinner this week!