Easy Grilled Salmon

Grilled Salmon is a light, healthy dinner prepared on your grill or grill pan! The marinade makes this salmon so flavorful and it’s so easy to make. My kids love this recipe and so do the adults. If you are looking for a delicious, flaky salmon recipe this is going to become your favorite.

Serve this easy salmon recipe with rice and a stir-fry or toss together a Grilled Corn Salad! Grilled Cauliflower Steaks are another great side dish option for this recipe!

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I’m a huge fan of salmon and so is the rest of the family, but it’s hard to come by fresh salmon here in Midwest Minnesota. Usually, I am grabbing it out of the frozen foods section, which does the job, but I love fresh salmon!

When I was out of town I grabbed a BIG filet of salmon and was so excited to try grilling it. The best salmon is going to be a wild caught salmon for more flavor. If you are trying to avoid a lot of fish flavor and want a mild fish flavor then grab the farm-raised salmon.

Just cut up your filet into smaller pieces and you are ready to marinade it and grill it!

This easy grilled salmon recipe is bursting with flavor from the marinade and it’s so easy.

Why We LOVE This Grilled Salmon Recipe!

• Let’s just say that grilled salmon not only tastes amazing, but it’s super simple to make as well. In just a matter of moments, you’ll be enjoying salmon straight from the grill.
• During the summer months, it’s so nice to be able to eat and enjoy a light and healthy meal. Pair this up with some asparagus or sweet potato and you’ve got a power-packed dinner for sure!
• We’re sharing our quick tricks and tips for perfectly grilled salmon every time. It will be your new favorite dinner when you’re craving fish!

What Ingredients Do I Need For Grilled Salmon?

• Peanut oil – this is a great oil to use for marinating grilled fish because it has a neutral flavor but a high smoke point so they’re great for grilling.
• Soy sauce – this adds a nice salty flavor!
• Balsamic vinegar – for a little tanginess.
• Brown sugar – adds sweetness and also helps create a delicious caramelized crust for the salmon.
• Minced garlic – you can mince it with a knife or grate the garlic to make it easier. Or, use garlic powder instead.
• Sesame oil – this adds a wonderful flavor to the fish.
• Onion powder – I love this savory flavor with the sweetness of the sugar.
• Salmon fillets – for this recipe, I use four 8-oz salmon fillets. Get a nice filet with the skin on.

Optional garnishes: For serving, feel free to sprinkle on a little salt, black pepper, and chopped fresh herbs if you want to add a little extra flavor. We like a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, too!

How To Grill Salmon

Salmon Marinade: Mix all of the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Place the salmon in a baking dish in a single layer. Pour the marinade over the top and refrigerate them for at least one hour or up to 24 hours.

How to Grill It! Take the fish fillets out of the marinade and pat them dry. Preheat your grill or grill pan and oil the grates. Grill the salmon skin-side down for five minutes or so and then flip them over. Cook them just until you can flake them with a fork.

Side Dish Ideas

This dish pairs with so many sides. We love a simple tossed salad with it or we pair it with some of our other favorite vegetables:

• Grilled Zucchini is a quick and easy side! Or try our delicious Asparagus.
• ​For the summer, you can’t go wrong with some Corn Salad!
• Or add a potato side like Cheesy Potatoes, Baked Potatoes, or Grilled Sweet Potatoes.

Do you have to marinate it?

You don’t have to marinate the salmon, but it will be pretty plain if you don’t. So, I recommend trying it – the nice thing is you can do this in advance. Depending on how long you want to let your salmon marinate, you’ll need to give those flavors time to soak in! 

Once you’ve let the salmon marinate for anywhere from 1 hour up to 24 hours, you can get your grill ready to go!

How do you know when it’s done grilling?

The easiest way is to check the thickest part of the fillet with an instant-read thermometer. Grilled salmon is done when the internal temperature is 145 degrees F.

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the fillet with a fork. The flesh should flake easily. Once it does this, it’s ready!

Do You Eat The Skin On Salmon?

That is totally up to you! When you cook the skin it turns nice and crispy. Some people think it adds a nice crunch and flavor while others don’t prefer it at all. It’s good to have on when grilling but you can eat around it if you want.

How Long To Grill Salmon?

Most salmon should be ready to pull off the grill after a total of 15 minutes. Each side of your salmon needs to cook for at least 5-7 minutes long but this will vary depending on how thick your fillets are.

What Is The White Stuff On Salmon?

Don’t worry, it’s just protein cooking out of the salmon. The good news? It’s perfectly safe to eat. Even though it may not look overly appealing, it’s not going to hurt you at all.

Does It Reheat Well?

Salmon does reheat well but you’re going to want to reheat it on a super low setting so it doesn’t overcook and dry out the salmon.

What To Do With Leftover Salmon?

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can crumble up the leftover salmon and add it to a salad or even mix it with some mashed potato and create some delicious salmon pancakes.

This grilled salmon recipe is such a light and healthy meal – the perfect summer grilling recipe! Be sure and take a moment below to comment and let me know how it worked for you – I would love a five-star rating!

More Easy Recipes for the Grill

• Potato Foil Packets are an easy side that pairs great with steaks, fish, chicken, and pork!
• Bacon Ranch Chicken Kabobs are always a  family favorite!
• Pineapple Pork Chops are bursting with fresh flavors and easy to make.