Salmon is easy, healthy, and delicious prepared in a simple marinade.
In this grilled salmon recipe, filets are marinated in a simple sesame-soy mixture and then grilled to tender flaky perfection.
This dish makes a great meal served with fresh asparagus and rice pilaf or as a hearty salmon bowl.
Sweet & Savory Grilled Salmon
- Salmon filets are easy to grill because the flesh has a dense, steak-like texture and fatty skin that keeps the fish moist while it cooks.
- Salmon cooks quickly on the grill making it perfect for a weeknight meal or an easy summer dinner.
- Super healthy, salmon is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids and has more Vitamin D than tuna.
- A quick and easy marinade ensures great flavor while adding a nice glaze to the fish.
- Marinated fillets in foil packets in advance for an outing and cook them on a campfire (or in the oven)!
Ingredients for Grilled Salmon
Salmon – For the best results, use fresh or flash-frozen salmon filets that smell and look clean. Frozen fillets can be thawed while they are marinating.
Marinade – Soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, sesame oil, and fresh lemon juice are all you need for a flavorful marinade that gently tenderizes the meat.
Lime juice can be switched out for the lemon juice and a little freshly grated ginger and red pepper flakes will give the sauce a little zip!
Variations – Try ginger garlic salmon marinade that’s perfect for any cooking method, too. Keep it simple and rub salmon seasoning and a bit of salt on right before it hits the grill!
How to Grill Salmon
- Marinate salmon filets in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Grill salmon flesh side down according to the recipe below.
- Flip over & cook until the fillets reach an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest part of the filet.
- Let salmon rest before serving. Serve with lemon slices or wedges.
Serving Grilled Salmon
- As a main dish grilled salmon is great with fresh grilled vegetables like asparagus or zucchini. It pairs nicely with a pilaf, grain salad, or simple boiled baby potatoes.
- Try this dish as grilled salmon tacos served with fruit like chopped pineapple salsa or mango salsa.
- Keep leftover salmon covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat as desired or make salmon croquettes, salmon patties, add to pasta salads or omelets or serve cold on top of a blackened salmon salad.
So Many Ways to Enjoy Salmon!
Did your family love this Grilled Salmon Recipe? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
Easy Grilled Salmon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds salmon fillets
Marinade
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil toasted
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
- Pour over salmon and allow to marinate at least 1 hour (or up to 8 hours).
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Place salmon, skin side down, onto the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes. Turn over and cook and an additional 5-7 minutes or until salmon reaches 145°F. Do not overcook.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Fish, Main Course, Seafood
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Am trying this tonight. So when you grill do you grill skin side up first? Thank you love your recipes
Hi Despina, yes! We place the salmon flesh side down then flip and cook skin side down.
I cook skin side down first to get crisp
I never marinade anything with lemon or lime (acidic) in metal.
I made this and it was good
Have yet to try it but it looks delicious
How do you think this marinade will work with chicken.I love salmon, my wife hates fish espcially salmon. So I could cook chicken as well with the marinade. Thoughts?
I think it would work James. I’d suggest adding it during the last 15 minutes of grilling. That’s a great idea to both enjoy what you love! Enjoy!
Grilled salmon is perfect at this time of year with a light salad.
I agree Dannii! Love salad with this salmon recipe!
Grilled Salmon is one of my all time favourite recipes and this looks delicious! It is so healthy and good to have during the week as well I think. Thanks for a great, healthy recipe.
Thanks Adrianne! I hope you love the recipe if you get a chance to try it!
The marinade sounds absolutely perfect! I love salmon and always looking for new ways to prepare it!
I hope you enjoy this recipe when you try it Tisha!
I love to cook salmon directly on the grill. I’m going to try your marinade.
I hope you love it Jere!
Such a satisfying recipe! Beautiful whole foods and I’m all about the grill!
Thank you Michelle!!