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This easy grilled salmon recipe is the only one you’ll ever need! I’m sharing all the tips for how to cook salmon on the grill (hint: it’s a lot like grilled cod!), 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 (see below for ideas!) or serve it all on it’s 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 To Choose The Best Salmon For Grilling
Don’t be overwhelmed by the salmon choices! Here are a few ways to help you choose the best salmon at the grocery store.
Grill salmon fillets that are individual-sized.
Individual-sized salmon fillets are best for grilling — 5 or 6 ounces is a good size. Grilling a large piece of salmon is tough unless you are putting it on something, as it’s nearly impossible to flip and you risk it breaking apart. Plus, individual fillets will cook more evenly.
Choose skin-on salmon if possible.
Leaving the skin on during cooking will make the salmon more flavorful (you can always remove it afterward if you prefer not to eat the skin). Also, the skin helps keep the salmon together so that the salmon doesn’t fall through the grates or break apart as easily.
Salmon appearance.
The best salmon is firm, fresh, and bright pink-orange in color. To test firmness, gently poke the fillet with your finger: the salmon should spring back and you should not see a fingerprint left behind.
Farm raised vs. wild caught.
This is up to you. Wild caught salmon is lower in calories and saturated fat, and has fewer contaminants and pollutants [*]. On the other hand, some people prefer the milder flavor of farmed salmon.

Ingredients For The Best Grilled Salmon Recipe
I find that the best way to season salmon for grilling is to marinate it. It’s super easy and prevents the salmon from drying out.
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 aren’t turning yellow. Dark green will have the most flavor. You could use dried herbs in a pinch (1/3 the amount of fresh), 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.
- Black pepper
Grilled Salmon Ingredients
To make grilled salmon fillets, all you need is the marinade above and four 6-ounce salmon fillets. I prefer wild-caught salmon and like to order it here (use this link for $15 off a whole box!).
How To Grill Salmon Perfectly
- Make grilled salmon marinade. Find the directions and amounts for salmon marinade here.
- Marinate salmon. Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Place the salmon and marinade into a large zip lock bag or bowl. Marinate for 30 minutes.

- Grill salmon skin side down. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, with the lid closed. Remove salmon from the marinade and place onto grill, skin side down. Close the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes.
TIP: Cook skin side down until salmon is 80% done. It’s ready to flip when the salmon color turns lighter pink and doesn’t stick when you try to flip it.
- Flip and grill on the other side. Use a fish spatula to carefully flip the salmon. Grill for another few minutes, until cooked to desired level of doneness. (See below for how to check that salmon is done!)


- Rest. Let the salmon rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. (This is less critical than when you are cooking a steak, but still helps lock in moisture in the best grilled salmon result.)

What temperature to grill salmon?
Grilled salmon recipes work best over a medium-high heat, which is a grill temperature of approximately 400 to 425 degrees F.
How long to grill salmon?
The salmon grill time will vary depending on size and thickness of your fillets, but a rule of thumb is 6-8 minutes skin side down, followed by 2-5 minutes skin side up.
When is grilled salmon done?
A common recommendation for fish is that it’s done when it flakes easily with a fork, but it’s also easy to overcook it this way. For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked salmon and check the internal temperature every couple of minutes after you flip it:
- Medium rare – 125 degrees F (51 degrees C)
- Medium – 130 degrees F (54 degrees C)
- Medium well – 140 degrees F (60 degrees C)
Let the salmon rest for 3-5 minutes before serving, as the internal temperature will rise 3-5 more degrees while resting.
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, though, you can use my time estimates above and flake the edge of the fish with a fork to test for doneness.

Tips For Grilling Salmon
Grilling salmon isn’t difficult, but following these tips will get you the best grilled salmon every time.
1. Marinate salmon for only 30 minutes.
Marinating fish or meat too long causes the meat and flesh to start to break down and become mushy. 30 minutes is the perfect amount of time.
2. Preheat the grill to medium-high.
You want the grill hot and ready before you add the fish. This ensures even cooking, nice caramelization and grill marks, and prevents sticking.
3. Make sure salmon (not the grill) is coated with oil.
It may be intuitive to coat your grill grates with oil, but it’s actually not necessary and much more effective to have your fish covered in oil instead.
The salmon marinade I use has plenty of oil and is perfect for this purpose, but if you’re not marinating, be sure to coat your fish generously in oil before grilling.
4. Use oil with a high smoke point.
The grill is hot, so you want to use an oil that can stand up to the heat. Avocado oil or regular (not extra virgin) olive oil are good candidates.
5. Don’t move the fish around.
Place the salmon on the grill and leave it one spot until you are ready to flip — just once. Constantly moving the fish will prevent a good sear and grill marks, increases the risk of tearing, and will cause your fish to stick to the grill. It will also make it harder to cook the salmon evenly since the heat source is constantly changing.
6. Grill salmon skin side down for most of the time.
Grilling salmon skin side down has several benefits. The skin protects the more delicate flesh from the high heat, crisps up better by being direct to the heat for most of the time, and is much easier to flip without sticking.
TIP: Only flip your salmon in the last 1-2 minutes of grilling. It should be 70-80% done before you flip.
7. Keep the grill lid on.
Keeping the lid on creates an even source of heat (like an oven would!), so that your salmon can cook evenly.
8. Use the best tools for flipping grilled salmon.
Because fish can be fragile, use a fish spatula like this to flip. This tool is thin enough that it can slip in between the layer of fragile fish and the grill without tearing the fish, and large enough to hold your entire grilled salmon fillet on it.

Grilled Salmon Recipe FAQs
Is the marinade required?
No, you can grill salmon without a marinade, I just love the flavor it imparts.
If you grill salmon without marinate, be sure to oil the salmon well (so that it doesn’t stick to the grill) and season generously with salt and pepper right before grilling.
Do you grill salmon skin side up or down?
Grill salmon skin side down until it’s 70-80% done, then skin side up for just a few minutes. This method allows the skin to crisp up and makes flipping the salmon easier without tearing or sticking.
Do you flip salmon when grilling?
Yes, you’ll flip over the salmon once, just toward the end of cooking.
How to prevent salmon from sticking to the grill?
There are a few things you can do to prevent the salmon from sticking:
- Preheat the grill well. A hot grill will create a sear on the salmon flesh so that you can flip it without tearing.
- Keep your grill clean. Always scrape down and keep your grill clean so that what your cooking doesn’t stick to burnt on food.
- Oil the salmon well. Just like if you’re cooking salmon in a pan, you’ll want to put plenty of the oil on the salmon.
- Cook skin side down first. It’s easier to flip the skin side of the salmon and get the spatula in between.
Can you grill frozen salmon?
Grilling frozen salmon is not recommended, as frozen meats and fish do not cook evenly and so you may end up with some raw parts and some overcooked parts.
It’s pretty quick and easy to thaw salmon fillets in a bowl of water, or you can do so in the fridge overnight. Do not thaw the salmon in the marinade.
Is grilled salmon healthy?
Yes! A grilled salmon fillet is a very nutritious meal that’s a great source of protein and healthy fats.

Storage Instructions
Can you grill salmon in advance?
Yes, grilled salmon fillets are actually delicious served chilled or at room temperature if you need to make them ahead.
If you want to serve it hot, grill right before serving.
Can you freeze grilled salmon?
Yes, you can freeze grilled salmon for 2-3 months.
Reheating instructions:
Reheat the salmon in a hot skillet, on the grill, or in the oven for best results. Microwaving is not recommended!

Optional Toppings For Salmon
Now that you know how to grill salmon, you can enjoy it on its own (delicious!) or try one of these toppings if you want to take it up a notch:
- Hollandaise sauce – This creamy sauce is buttery and citrusy and not just for brunch! This one is made easy in the blender.
- Creamy Avocado Salsa – You’ll get your dose of healthy fats with this creamy salsa. It’s a fresh and zesty topping.
- Pesto Sauce – Pesto is delicious on everything. Drizzle a bit on the salmon and finish it with a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Lemon Garlic Aioli – Serve a dollop of this garlicky aioli over the salmon if you love lemon and garlic.
- Lemon Butter Sauce For Fish – If you prefer a lemon butter sauce, this one is made for fish (I love it with lemon baked cod fish!). Super easy, too.
What To Serve With Grilled Salmon
What side dishes go well with grilled salmon? You have lots of options! Here are some ideas:
- Vegetables – Vegetable recipes like sauteed asparagus, stir fry veggies, or roasted broccoli all work well.
- Salads – Try fresh summer salad recipes like cauliflower tabbouleh, Greek salad, or creamy cucumber salad.
- Starches – Potatoes or rice are classic options, but I prefer healthier swaps like cauliflower rice, cauliflower potato salad, or sauteed radishes.
Tools To Make Salmon On The Grill
- Quality Outdoor Grill – This comes from a trusted brand and has options for gas or propane. Of course, you can also use a charcoal grill.
- Indoor Electric Grill – If you want to grill salmon during the cooler months, this is perfect for that. You can use the same method!
- Meat Thermometer – The best way to ensure your salmon is cooked perfectly each and every time.
- Fish Spatula – This is my secret for flipping fish while grilling, so that it doesn’t break.
Perfect Grilled Salmon Recipe
Grilled Salmon Recipe (PERFECT)
Learn how to grill salmon perfectly with this easy grilled salmon recipe! Get all the best tips and tricks for buttery, flaky salmon fillets.
Recipe Video
Tap on the image below to watch the video.Like this video? Subscribe to my YouTube cooking channel for healthy recipes weekly! (Click the bell icon to be notified when I post a new video.)
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Pat salmon fillets dry on both sides with paper towels. Place the fillets into a bag or bowl with marinade and turn to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes.
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Toward the end of marinating time, preheat the grill to medium-high heat with the lid closed.
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Remove the salmon from the marinade. Place onto the grill, skin side down. Close the lid and grill for 6-8 minutes, until the salmon color turns lighter pink and doesn't stick when you try to flip it.
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Use large tongs or a fish spatula to carefully flip the salmon. Grill for 2-5 more minutes, until internal temperature reaches your desired doneness: 125 degrees F (51 degrees C) for medium rare, 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) for medium, or 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for well done. (Internal temperature will rise a few more degrees while resting in the next step.)
Use a meat thermometer for the best grilled salmon done perfectly. If you don't have one, another doneness indicator is the fish will flake with a fork, but sometimes it's overcooked by the time it gets to this point, and you'd give up the resting step by flaking it to test for doneness.
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Remove the fish from the grill and rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. If desired, you can remove off the skin (it should peel off effortlessly).
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 6-oz salmon fillet
Only 1/4 of the marinade is included in the nutrition calculation, as a lot is discarded after marinating the salmon.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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19 Comments
Lara
0I absolutely love this recipe… Specifically for the cooking times. I usually buy pre-marinated salmon, but I also love this marinade. I’ve never had a problem with it being under or over cooked.
Monica
0Loved all these tips! We eat salmon a lot but was always a little nervous to grill it until now.
Enriqueta E Lemoine
0My favorite way to eat salmon is grilled. I followed all your recommendations and my grilled salmon turned to be perfect! Thank you for this extensive guide. I feel like a master grill!
Marisa F. Stewart
0Great tips and tricks!! We eat lots of salmon and there is nothing better than grilled salmon. The fish is rich in taste and vitamins. We don’t usually marinate it but once I saw your version I had to try it. I was NOT disappointed. I’ll be making it this way again.
kushigalu
0This grilled salmon looks so perfect. I am drooling over the pics. Thanks for tips and detailed instruction. Pinned to try this recipe soon.
Jacqueline Debono
0I love salmon but have always been wary of grilling it because of the risk that is sticks or falls apart! Yours looks delicious and perfect! Going to give it a try at the weekend!
Beth
0You included so many options for cooking the salmon, it’s a really helpful post. In Hawaii we aim for something between flaking with a fork and sashimi so that the salmon doesn’t dry out – it takes practice, especially since we don’t have a grill. That marinade is amazing!
HEATHER PERINE
0We just got a new grill so I’m so trying this recipe this weekend! Never attempted grilled salmon myself but I think I can do it now! Thanks for the tip of using skin on salmon too. I’m thinking fresh dill as the herbs sounds SO good 🙂
Kathryn
0This salmon recipe is delicious and it came out perfect! I LOVED your marinade, thank you so much!
Natalie
0This looks delicious. SO easy to make and quite healthy. I will make this for lunch tomorrow. thanks!
Samantha
0I can’t wait to make it again. I loved the tip about cooking it skin down for most of the time.
Natalia
0I love salmon and it’s true that is easy to overcook it. Your recipe, specially with the marinade sauce looks absolutely delicious and so well explained! I will try your tips for the perfect grilled salmon! Thanks!
Paula
0Salmon is so good and so healthy, I’m always looking for new recipes and my kids loved this one!
Jaclyn
0Easy and delicious salmon recipe, perfect for summer!
Bernice
0Sooo many great fish grilling tips in this article!
Amy L Huntley
0We grill salmon all summer long! The marinade was perfection too. Making this again real soon. The entire family enjoyed this meal!
Sharon
0This is a great grilled salmon recipe. Serve with grilled vegetables and you have a healthy and delicious summertime dinner.
Kristyn
0I crave salmon all the time! This recipe is the best! Your pictures are making me want some right now!
Natalie
0The salmon just melts in your mouth & is so flavorful! Grilling salmon is my favorite way to cook it!