How to Grill Salmon
Published 6/2/2022 • Updated 2/19/2024
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Get perfectly grilled salmon every single time with this easy and fool-proof step-by-step tutorial on How to Grill Salmon!
This grilled salmon recipe comes out so tender and flakey. It’s a quick and healthy protein to make on the grill.
Featured Comment
“I’ve tried many recipes for this dish before, but this one is by far the best! The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the end result is mouthwatering.” – Evan
When it comes to grilling, salmon is one of the quickest and easiest (and most delicious!) proteins to grill as long as you follow a few simple steps that we’ve tested over and over to ultimate perfection.
Our grilled salmon recipe is made flavored with the basics (salt and pepper) so that you can serve your salmon in many different ways. Try eating it next to your favorite grilled veggies, in a rice bowl, or in a breakfast scramble!
What You Need for Grilled Salmon
Salmon fillets: we’re using skin-on fillets for this grilled salmon recipe as it chars deliciously keeps the salmon in one piece while grilling.
Salt & pepper: simple, yes! But flavorful — oh yes. There’s no need to mask the taste of your delicious salmon.
Olive oil: make sure to oil your salmon fillets before grilling. Olive oil is a great neutral oil that won’t leave a strong taste on your salmon, but will help prevent it from sticking to the grill grates.
Why Make Grilled Salmon?
When it comes to picking a protein, we know you have choices. You can make grilled chicken, grilled steak, grilled pork, etc. But, grilled salmon trumps them all! Here’s why:
Quick: this grilled salmon recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Easy Prep: no fancy gadgets or ingredients are needed for this grilled salmon recipe.
Healthy: salmon is high protein and packed with omega-3 fatty acids making it a healthy protein option.
Best Leftovers: leftover salmon is so delicious. Try our yummy salmon patties to mix things up on day 2.
Try Surrender Salmon!
Our all-time favorite salmon is Surrender Salmon. They catch wild-Alaskan salmon off of Bristol Bay in Alaska. The salmon is bright orange, so flakey and delicious, and truly the best.
Surrender Salmon is a family-run company based here in Minneapolis and they are good friends of ours! Support a local business if you can.
How to Grill Salmon
For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card for a list of ingredients and instructions.
Preheat and Prep Salmon
Preheat a gas grill or charcoal grill to 450°F – 475°F. High heat is crucial to getting that perfect sear on your salmon without overcooking it!
Pat the salmon filets with a paper towel to remove moisture, and then brush olive oil onto all sides of each salmon fillet (yes, even the skin side!).
Try it!
Best Salmon Marinade
Want to marinate your salmon to infuse it with lemony goodness? Try our favorite salmon marinade.
Grill Salmon
Place salmon fillets directly on the grill, skin-side down, and close the grill. Grill your fillets skin-side down for 6 minutes (yes, only 6 minutes!).
Then, flip the fillets and grill for an additional 2 minutes skin side up. This will give your salmon those perfectly seared grill marks.
Do you have to flip salmon on the grill? If you are grilling salmon directly on the grates, we suggest starting skin-side down and flipping after 6 minutes to sear the flesh for a few minutes to get gorgeous grill marks.
how long to grill salmon
Grill salmon at 450ºF for 8 total minutes starting with 6 minute skin-side down. Flip and grill for an additional 2 minutes.
Check the Temperature
Salmon needs to cook to an internal temperature of 140°F – 145ºF before removing it from the grill.
If your salmon needs additional time to reach an internal temperature of 140°F (which is common if your fillets are especially thick!), flip back to skin-side down and grill for an additional 1 minute at a time.
Try it!
Thermoworks Thermapen
We swear by using a meat thermometer when cooking any cut of meat. The Thermapen is our go-to meat thermometer that works every time.
Let Salmon Rest
Remove the salmon from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes. This will allow the internal temperature of your salmon to increase by 5ºF to 145°F.
We always recommend letting meat and fish rest after grilling. We do this especially so that the internal temperature can continue to rise to a safe eating temp.
The best way to tell if your salmon is done or not is to measure the temperature. It should read at least 145ºF. Your salmon should turn from a bright pink to a soft, light pink. It should be flakey and firm to touch. Check the flakey-ness of the salmon by gently pulling at the salmon with a fork.
Serve and Enjoy!
Remove the skin by peeling it back away from the fillet. The skin should peel off easily on cooked salmon. Then serve with your favorite grilling sides. We recommend any of the following 😀
Tips for Perfect Salmon on the Grill
Be sure your grill grates are clean: One thing you can do to make sure the salmon doesn’t stick to the grill is to make sure your grill grates are clean. Clean the grates with a metal grill cleaner and you’ll be all set.
Make sure you have your grill tools ready to go: We recommend having a grill spatula and grill tongs at ready for when you have to flip the salmon.
Don’t put your salmon on the grill cold: If you put cold salmon on a hot grill there is bound to be some salmon that sticks to the grill. Let your salmon sit out for a bit before grilling it.
Grilled Salmon FAQs
The best way to make grilled salmon is at a higher heat. This will cook it quickly, which helps prevent it from drying out. We suggest heating your grill to 450ºF to 475ºF.
Some sauce ideas for grilled salmon include Teriyaki sauce , a squeeze of fresh citrus (lemon or lime), Chimichurri sauce or Greek yogurt dill sauce.
Yes, you can smoke salmon. We recommend smoking salmon at 225ºF for about 1 hour. Check out this easy and delicious smoked salmon recipe.
There are some great salad options that would pair perfectly with this grilled salmon recipe. We recommend this butter lettuce salad, street corn salad, or this ginger pea salad.
This salmon marinade is a great option for a marinade.
Otherwise, a go-to easy and flavorful marinade for salmon is 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, a few minced cloves of garlic and 2 teaspoons of rice vinegar. Mix the marinade together and pour it over the flesh side of the salmon. Let the salmon marinate for a few hours before grilling.
What to Serve with Grilled Salmon
While you’re grilling salmon, consider making any of the following side dishes that pair perfectly with salmon!
Vegetables
Grains
Drinks
- Spicy Grapefruit Margarita
- Rosemary Vodka Collins
- Strawberry Peach Rose Sangria
- Honey Greyhound Cocktail
Perfect Grilled Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat gas or charcoal grill to 450°F – 475°F.
- Remove moisture from salmon fillets by patting with a paper towel. Then, use a brush to brush olive oil onto all sides of each salmon fillet.
- Generously season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
- Once your grill has fully preheated, place salmon fillets directly on the grill, skin side down, and close the grill.
- Grill skin-side down for 6 minutes.
- Then, flip the fillets and grill for an additional 2 minutes skin-side up. Ensure the salmon is cooked to an internal temperature of 140°F before removing from the grill. If salmon needs additional time to reach an internal temperature of 140°F, flip back to skin side down and grill for an additional 1 minute at a time.
- Remove salmon from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes (internal temperature will continue to increase to 145°F even after being removed from heat).
- Remove skin and serve with optional fresh lemon juice.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds, we’d love to see what you’re up to!
Photography: photos taken in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.
Thanks for this recipe, it looks delicious, i definetely will make it 🥰
This is the easiest grilled salmon EVER!! Thanks for the recipe.