Grilled Salmon – WellPlated.com

Grilled salmon is one of the tastiest, healthiest, and most enjoyable ways to enjoy fish. With these tips, this grilled salmon recipe is easy and excellent! Here’s everything you need to know to grill perfect cuts of salmon like the pro you are (or like the pro you are about to become!).

Even if you’re a newbie to the grill, you’ll feel like a real bobby flay as you pull juicy fillets with crispy skin hot off the grill.

If I’m cooking for a crowd or want leftovers, I prefer to cook a single, large piece of fish like grilled salmon in foil.

However, if you want to prepare individual servings, this grilled salmon fillet method is the way to go.

Tips for perfect grilled salmon

To grill cuts of salmon that are 1) juicy and tender (not dry!), 2) optimally seasoned, and 3) not sticking to the grill, follow these tips:

• Choose salmon with skin. If you want to cook salmon directly on the cooking grates, you must use salmon fillets with the skin on, otherwise 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 an excellent simple grilled salmon with just olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Make sure your grill is CLEAN and HOT. 450°F to 500°F is the ideal temperature for grilling salmon. It ensures that the fish comes off easily and you get a nice flavor.
• Just turn around once. Fish is delicate. Whether you’re making grilled swordfish, grilled cod, or grilled salmon, if you turn it more than once, it’s very likely to fall apart. Even if the skin gets a little messy when you flip it, no problem – it won’t affect your final taste.
• Don’t overcook the salmon. Overcooking is the biggest mistake people make when grilling salmon. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the doneness, and expect the salmon to rise in temperature as it rests. The FDA considers salmon cooked at 145°F; I recommend removing salmon between 130°F and 135°F to keep it moist.

How to make grilled salmon

Look in the mirror and believe like me: YOU HAVE THIS!

Keep the grill hot and clean, have your thermometer and fish spatula handy, and pour yourself a drink.

Cooking salmon on the grill is easy and fun!

This recipe works for any type of grill – gas grill, charcoal grill, electric grill, Traeger, etc.

Remember: No matter what type of grill you use, cook the salmon to temperature, not the time on the clock.

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The ingredients

• Salmon. Tender, high-protein 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 adds flavor and moisture. It also prevents them from burning or sticking to the grill.
• Spices. How to Grill Salmon with Flavor! Keep it simple with just salt and pepper (you’ll need to add those two), add garlic powder or onion powder, or season things to your liking. See the Ways to Season Grilled Salmon section below for ideas.

The directions

1. Leave the salmon at room temperature.

2. Dry the fillets.

3. Brush the salmon with oil.

4. Sprinkle the fillets with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you want.

5. Grill the salmon, skin-side down, over medium-high heat, about 6 to 7 minutes.

6. Flip the salmon and cook about 2 to 4 minutes longer. Leave to rest on a clean plate for 5 minutes. ENJOY!

Ways to flavor grilled salmon

• Grilled salmon from the grill. Stir together 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Rub the mixture onto the fillets after brushing them with the oil. Serve with barbecue sauce, if you like.
• Grilled Chili Lime Salmon. Season the fillets with 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon honey. After grilling, drizzle freshly squeezed lime juice over the fillets. (This would pair beautifully with a grilled corn salad.)
• Grilled Curried Salmon. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of curry powder to the spices listed in this grilled salmon recipe.
• Grilled salmon with garlic butter. Instead of olive oil, brush the salmon fillets with melted butter. Season with salt, pepper and 1 tsp garlic powder. Drizzle the finished fillets with additional garlic butter and add a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
• Sweet, smoky and flavorful grilled salmon. Use my Homemade Salmon Seasoning Recipe. It’s linked in the recipe card below.

storage tips

• To store. Refrigerate the salmon in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• To warm up. Very gently, heat the salmon in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat. You can also gently reheat salmon in the microwave.
• Freeze. Freeze salmon in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to serve with grilled salmon

• Tongs. An indispensable tool for grilling.
• baking tray. Simply transport your fillets to the grill with a baking tray.
• brush. Ideal for applying the olive oil to the salmon.

This crispy, juicy salmon is repeated here throughout the BBQ season.

You will fall for hook, line and sinker!

More tasty salmon recipes

From Bourbon Glazed Salmon to Whole30 Salmon with Avocado Tomato Salad, there’s something for everyone!