My Best Tip Is To Start Cooking It Skin Side Up
Sear for 3-4 minutes to get those beautiful grill marks on your fish before carefully flipping and cooking the remainder of the time skin side down. This allows you to have the amazing flavor the grill imparts without your fish falling through the grates. No one wins in that situation! Use this method and youll have 100% success with this best grilled salmon recipe.
An alternative method for grilling salmon is to wrap it in foil. I love garlicky grilled salmon which is wrapped securely in a foil packet.
If youre looking for more salmon recipes, this baked salmon is one of my absolute faves! Only 5 ingredients! We also love soy glazed salmon. And if you have an air fryer, be sure to try air fryer salmon. You wont believe how great it turns out!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on , , or !
Grilled Salmon In Foil
Grab your big girl apron, your tongs, and your attitude, because were conquering culinary fears with this easy, perfect, you-cant-mess-it-up Grilled Salmon in Foil.
Even if you are intimidated to cook fish or intimidated to use the grill , this grilled salmon recipe is foolproof.
Ive included all the best tips for how to grill salmon, ways to flavor salmon, what to serve with salmon, and more!
This post is your grilled salmon toolkit.
This recipe is based on my go-to Baked Salmon In Foil.
Before grilling season leaves us, Ive had on my mind to adapt, test, and perfect that much loved baked salmon recipe to the grill. Today is the day!
- Read on for detailed photos and step-by-steps for how to cook grilled salmon in foil.
- At the bottom of the post, Ive included a recipe for grilled salmon with lemon and dill . Its a lovely combination.
- You can follow those flavor recommendations or use the same grilling method with one of the other suggested variations below.
The Best Grilled Salmon
You, too, can make the absolute BEST Grilled Salmon in foil on the grill. This salmon has a slightly sweet and smoky flavor and is grilled to perfection in just around 15 minutes!
During cooking, the marinade creates a nice glaze so that the salmon filets end up with a slightly crisp outside and light flakiness inside. This simple grilled salmon is not only delicious, but it is extremely easy to prepare.
The marinade is mixed up right in a ziplock bag and the fish is grilled in little aluminum boats placed right on top of the grill grates making clean up easy!
My family agrees this is the best salmon recipe ever, and I think yours will, too!
You May Like: How To Marinate Shrimp For Grilling
Heres How You Make It
Ingredients
- Salmon filets Use fresh or frozen, thawed salmon filets. Or buy a whole slab of salmon and slice into filets yourself. I like mine to be about 2-3 inches across.
- Olive oil I use extra virgin olive oil but you can use whatever olive oil you prefer.
- Salt and pepper Fine salt and freshly cracked pepper are my go-tos, but you can also use a ground pepper spice.
- Butter I usually go to unsalted butter but you could use either butter here.
- Herbs Any mixture of herbs is great, I finely chop dill, basil, parsley and thyme, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Fresh works best.
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Lemon zest Freshly zest a lemon to get the lemoniest, zestiest flavor in this salmon recipe.
Step by Step Instructions
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!
Don’t Miss: How To Make Good Grilled Chicken
What Does It Mean When Fish Is Blackened
Salmon is “blackened” when it’s rubbed with a special seasoning of herbs and spices, and then cooked in a hot cast iron skillet. This dish is typically associated with Cajun cooking, and became popular in the 1980’s as a way to replicate the taste of charcoal grilling in a commercial kitchen . The end result is salmon with a crispy “blackened” exterior and a tender, buttery inside. While it may appear burnt, the dark colored seared crust is a result of the charred spices on the outside of the fish. It does not taste burned at all!
Grilling Temperature And Time
The Salmon brings out its juicy texture taste and flavor whether it is done on Cedar Plank, Charcoal, or Gas grill. I have already mentioned above about grilling in a grill pan, so this section is all about other methods and the right time and temperature to make it perfect.
- Charcoal Grill – For Charcoal grill, the temperture can be from 470 to 500 degrees Farenheit. Similar to oven preheat them with its lid closed for about 10 minutes. Now place the seasoned salmon fillets on the grill cook on each side for about 5 to 7 minutes or until it easily flakes off
- Gas Grill – Preheat your gas grill in medium around 380 to 400 degrees Farenheit. Place the marinated Salmon fillets on the grill and close and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Open the lid and flip to other side and grill again for 5 to 7 minutes or until the fish easily flakes with a fork
- Cedar Plank – Soak the cedar plank in water for 2 hours and preheat your charcoal or gas grill as mentioned above. Place the cedar plank with enough space on the grill and place the seasoned salmon on it. Close and grill for 12 to 15 minutes until the salmon turns uniformly pink
Don’t Miss: How Long To Roast Corn On Grill
How To Make Blackened Salmon
This easy recipe only requires about 5 minutes of prep and less than 10 minutes to pan blacken the salmon in a hot cast iron skillet! Dinner will be on the table before you know it…
Roasted Sheet Pan Salmon With Vegetables And Pesto
The beauty of this recipe is that it all cooks together in 10-12 minutes! Salmon is such a crowd-pleaser on the grill and is a perfect match for these spring vegetables with pesto. But how often do we focus on crispy salmon skin? This recipe cooks the salmon with the skin side up for a beautiful presentation for those who love the skin. And if you dont care for it? No worries! Cook it skin-side down and it will still be beautiful.
Full Roasted Sheet Pan Salmon with Spring Vegetables and Pesto Recipe
Don’t Miss: Who Makes The Best Wood Pellet Grill
How To Master The Charcoal Grill
Gas grills are popular for their convenience and ease in heat control, but a charcoal grill is where youll really find that smokey flavor and aroma that makes the neighbors noses twitch with envy, wishing they were invited over for dinner.
Setting the standard, Webers kettle BBQ grills have come a long way from the classic Weber. With a heavy duty steel cart, side table, and propane starter, our Weber Performer Premium Charcoal Grill also comes with a built in thermometer, LCD timer and a handy bin attached underneath the cart to keep charcoal within reach but out of the elements.
Grilled Salmon Marinade Ingredients
To marinate salmon for grilling, make my easy salmon marinade:
- Olive oil I chose extra virgin olive oil for flavor, but avocado oil is suitable here too.
- Lemon juice The acid helps to tenderize the salmon, plus the tang of citrus pairs very well with fish.
- Maple syrup I use Wholesome Yum Keto Maple Syrup, which is naturally sweetened, sugar-free, and tastes just like real maple syrup. But you can use regular too if that works for you.
- Fresh herbs I used dill and parsley, as these summer herbs work well on fish. Look for bright, leafy herbs that arent turning yellow. Dark green will have the most flavor. You could use dried herbs in a pinch , but for salmon fresh herbs work best.
- Garlic Use fresh minced garlic, or jarred to save a few minutes.
- Sea salt Salt helps the marinade penetrate into the fish.
Don’t Miss: Macaroni Grill Elk Grove Ca
What To Serve With Grilled Salmon In Foil
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms. Grilled mushrooms are a delicious, easy side dish that offers a meaty flavor. Try my Grilled Portobello Mushrooms recipe.
- Grilled Sweet Potato Fries. Serve your Grilled Salmon in Foil with these Grilled Sweet Potato Fries for a fun and easy summer dinner!
- Grilled Asparagus. Most often, we do Grilled Salmon in Foil with asparagus. You can cook it right alongside the salmon. See this Grilled Asparagus for a recipe.
- Broccoli. Grilled Broccoli and Roasted Broccoli are stellar ways to make it.
- Carbohydrates. Serve your Grilled Salmon in Foil on top of a bed of rice like Lemon Rice, alongside Healthy Potato Salad or Grilled Potatoes, or with Grilled Corn.
- Roasted Vegetables. Roast a hearty side dish of vegetables in the oven to serve with your Grilled Salmon in Foil. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic and Roasted Zucchini would all pair nicely. Or a a mix of Oven Roasted Vegetables.
What Temperature Is Grilled Salmon Done
How to tell when grilled salmon is done. Grilled fish is cooked when it is 145°F, but remember about carry-over cooking, where food will continue to cook once youve pulled it from the grill or oven. To ensure your fish isnt overcooked, transfer it from the grill when it is 125°-130°F, then let it rest for a few minutes before stripping away the skin and serving.
Read Also: Swordfish Steaks On The Grill
Tips For How To Grill Salmon: The Easy Way
Some people swear by cooking grilled salmon in foil. But we think the very best way is right on the grill grates. This way, you get all that smoky flavor and a crispy exterior. Here are our tips for how to grill salmon:
- Brine the salmon first! Brining is simply placing the salmon in a salt water solution while the grill preheats. It makes for perfectly moist salmon, and also helps the salmon come to room temperature which makes it cook more evenly. You can also marinate the salmon as an alternate option: go to .
- The temperature for grilled salmon? Medium high heat, or 375 to 450 degrees. Medium high heat makes for a perfectly cooked piece of salmon. While you can cook at high heat and then finish at lower heat, we like the ease of grilling at one temperature.
- How long to cook grilled salmon? 3 to 5 minutes skin side up until grill marks form and it releases from the grates, then 2 to 5 minutes skin side down, depending on the thickness! The best way to measure whether its done is using an internal thermometer. Stick it in the thickest part of the fish and it should read 125 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best Easy Healthy Baked Salmon
Salmon fillets bathed in a lemon and olive oil dressing infused with garlic and herbs? Yes, please!
Apart from making the sauce which is just a matter of whisking some ingredients together theres barely any prep here.
The oven takes care of almost everything!
Theres nothing better than salmon glazed in a blend of honey, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.
And this recipe is proof!
Read Also: Bbq Chicken Marinade For Grilling
How To Grill Salmon: Perfect Grilled Salmon Recipe
Learn how to grill salmon perfectly with this easy grilled salmon recipe! Get all the best tips and tricks for buttery, flaky salmon fillets that won’t stick.
This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free.
This easy grilled salmon recipe is the only one youll ever need! Im sharing all the tips for how to cook salmon on the grill , including what kind of salmon to buy, the best tools, tips to prevent sticking and avoiding dry salmon, and answering all the grilling questions you might have.
Try serving your grilled salmon fillet with a sauce or serve it all on its own. Simple and delicious!
If you love salmon, be sure to also try salmon lox, salmon patties, baked salmon, air fryer salmon, and salmon foil packets.
How Long Should You Grill Salmon
It depends on the type of salmon and the thickness of the cut. This can range from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. Salmon is best cooked to medium. A good rule of thumb is to remove the salmon at 125F-130F at the thickest part, keeping in mind it will keep cooking at bit. An easy test is to press down with a fork, it should flake easily with a translucent center.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Indoor Smokeless Grill
How To Cook Marinated Salmon
Salmon is one of my go-to options when it comes to healthy dinners, but eating the same exact meal week after week can get pretty darn boring. That’s why this is truly the best salmon marinade — it adds so much great flavor to the fish, but it requires minimal effort. We always love grilled salmon when the weather cooperates, but you can also use this salmon marinade for baked or broiled fish.
Common Varieties Of Salmon
The type or variety of salmon makes a difference in grilling because different varieties contain different oil content levels and are of different thicknesses.
- King Salmon and Atlantic Salmon are rich, oily varieties that are pink-fleshed and are thicker by nature, making them harder to overcook. The oil content will keep them from getting dried out. Hands down my favorite salmon to grill is Wild King Salmon- also the most expensive. See below on how to source sustainably raised, antibiotic-free Atlantic Salmon.
- Sockeye Salmon and Coho Salmon have beautiful bright red flesh, are generally thinner than King salmon or Atlantic, and have a low oil content. They have a really clean fresh ocean taste, which I love, but when grilled need to be watched like a hawk so they dont overcook- as they cook quickly. The prized Copper River Salmon falls into this category.
Also Check: Is Studio Movie Grill Open
Why We Love This Grilled Salmon Recipe
- Lets just say that grilled salmon not only tastes amazing, but its super simple to make as well. In just a matter of moments, youll be enjoying salmon straight from the grill.
- During the summer months, its so nice to be able to eat and enjoy a light and healthy meal. Pair this up with some asparagus or sweet potato and youve got a power-packed dinner for sure!
- Were sharing our quick tricks and tips for perfectly grilled salmon every time. It will be your new favorite dinner when youre craving fish!
Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Move over beef burgers!
These salmon patties are crisp on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and divine through and through.
Serve them with crunchy slaw in a burger bun or with a healthy side salad for lunch.
This recipe is proof you dont need to do much to salmon to make it unforgettable.
Youll drizzle a mixture of melted butter, garlic, and lemon juice all over a salmon fillet.
Then, add some salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes, and pop it in the oven.
How easy is that?
Don’t Miss: Are Napoleon Grills Better Than Weber
