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 until tender and flaky.
Round out this meal with asparagus and rice pilaf, or serve it as a hearty salmon bowl.
Fast, Fresh, and Flavorful
Grilled salmon is so easy to prepare, and it makes for a flavorful and healthy meal that’s ready in just minutes – perfect for those busy weeknights. This lean protein is not only easy to make, it’s elegant and versatile too.
Ingredients for Grilled Salmon
Salmon – This recipe is great with either fresh or frozen salmon filets. Frozen fillets can be thawed while they are marinating. When picking out salmon fillets for grilling, sockeye (or coho) are great choices, if possible, skin on salmon is easier to grill.
Marinade – Soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, sesame oil, and fresh lemon juice make add lots of flavor and for a perfectly tenderized filet.
Marinade/Seasoning Variations
- Change up the salmon marinade by adding lime juice in place of lemon juice, or add a little freshly grated ginger and red pepper flakes.
- If preferred, skip the marinade and add a bit of olive oil, and rub it with salmon seasoning or salt and pepper before it hits the grill! Serve with fresh herbs like parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
How to Grill Salmon
- Marinate salmon filets for at least 1 hour.
- Grill salmon skin side down according to the recipe below. Flip over & cook until the fillets reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Let salmon rest before serving. Serve with lemon slices or wedges.
Sides for Grilled Salmon
- Grilled salmon is great a great dish to serve with fresh grilled vegetables like asparagus. zucchini, or even grilled corn.
- It pairs nicely with a pilaf, cauliflower rice, boiled baby potatoes, or light vinaigrette style pasta salads.
- Add a fruit salsa like pineapple or mango salsa.
Keep leftover salmon covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
More Salmon Favorites
From salmon foil packets to lemon and dill, salmon is as easy to prepare as it is delicious.
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
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, oil, brown sugar, lemon juice, sesame oil, and garlic powder.
- Pour over salmon and allow to marinate for at least 1 hour (or up to 8 hours).
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat (400°F).
- 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.
- Rest for a few minutes before serving.
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.
Number 4 of the instructions says to place salmon on the grill “skin side down.” SWP SN’s reply,
July 6, 2022, says “We place the salmon flesh side down then flip and cook skin side down.” Please clarify. Thanks!
Hi Terri! Thanks for asking! Our recipe was updated after that comment was made (I have gone back to update my previous response to ensure no further confusion). As listed in the recipe we recommend cooking skin side down then flipping. I hope that clears everything up!
Salmon is one of our favorite go to foods. This recipe is simple, easy to follow for anyone and is always delicious..
I am so happy to hear you love this recipe Kasey!
Am trying this tonight. So when you grill do you grill skin side up first? Thank you love your recipes
Hi Despina, we place the skin 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!!