Grilled salmon is a delightful and healthy dish that brings out the natural flavors of the fish. With a simple marinade of olive oil, salt, and black pepper, this recipe is both easy to prepare and delicious. The addition of freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright, zesty finish that complements the rich taste of the salmon perfectly.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples. However, if you don't usually keep fresh salmon or freshly squeezed lemon juice on hand, you will need to pick these up at the supermarket. Fresh salmon can typically be found at the seafood counter, and you can find fresh lemons in the produce section.

Ingredients For Grilled Salmon Recipe
Salmon: A rich, flavorful fish that is perfect for grilling.
Olive oil: Used to brush the salmon and keep it moist during grilling.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the salmon.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the seasoning.
Lemon juice: Provides a fresh, zesty finish to the grilled salmon.
Technique Tip for Grilling Salmon
To ensure your salmon fillets don't stick to the grill, make sure the grill grates are clean and well-oiled before placing the fish on them. Additionally, let the salmon cook undisturbed for the first few minutes to allow a nice crust to form, which will make flipping easier and prevent tearing.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
salmon - Substitute with trout: Trout has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a great alternative for grilling.
salmon - Substitute with mackerel: Mackerel is rich and oily, providing a similar mouthfeel and nutritional benefits.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it suitable for grilling.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is neutral in flavor and also has a high smoke point, perfect for grilling.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the taste of grilled fish.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a more complex flavor profile compared to regular table salt.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to add a different kind of heat.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick, offering a different flavor dimension.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good alternative.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar offers a tangy flavor that can mimic the acidity of lemon juice.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Grilled Salmon
How To Store and Freeze Grilled Salmon
- Allow the grilled salmon to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the fish soggy.
- Wrap each salmon fillet individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures that the flavors remain intact and the fish doesn't dry out.
- Place the wrapped fillets in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. If using a plastic bag, try to remove as much air as possible to maintain freshness.
- Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of how long the salmon has been stored.
- Store the salmon in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place it in the freezer.
- When freezing, consider placing the wrapped fillets on a baking sheet in a single layer until they are fully frozen. This prevents them from sticking together.
- Once frozen, you can transfer the fillets to a larger container or bag for more compact storage.
- To reheat, thaw the salmon in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently in the oven at a low temperature or in a skillet over medium heat to avoid overcooking.
- For a quick meal, add the reheated salmon to a fresh salad, pasta, or even a sandwich.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C). Place the leftover grilled salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the salmon loosely with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Heat for about 15 minutes or until the salmon is warmed through. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil or lemon juice before serving to enhance the flavors.
Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan. Place the salmon fillets in the skillet, skin-side down if applicable. Cover the skillet with a lid to trap the heat and moisture. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the salmon is warmed through.
Microwave Method: Place the grilled salmon on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to avoid overcooking. Add a splash of lemon juice or a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Steaming Method: Fill a pot with a small amount of water and bring it to a simmer. Place the salmon fillets in a steamer basket over the simmering water. Cover and steam for about 5 minutes or until the salmon is heated through. This method helps retain the moisture and delicate texture of the salmon.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the grilled salmon in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 4-5 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't dry out. This method gives a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside moist.
Best Tools for Perfectly Grilled Salmon
Grill: Essential for cooking the salmon fillets to achieve that perfect char and smoky flavor.
Grill brush: Useful for cleaning the grill grates before cooking to ensure the salmon doesn't stick.
Tongs: Handy for flipping the salmon fillets without breaking them apart.
Basting brush: Used to brush olive oil onto the salmon fillets evenly.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Lemon squeezer: Helps in extracting fresh lemon juice efficiently.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for preparing the salmon fillets.
Chef's knife: Essential for any cutting tasks, such as trimming the salmon fillets if needed.
Fish spatula: Ideal for handling delicate fish fillets on the grill.
Serving platter: Used to present the grilled salmon fillets beautifully before serving.
How to Save Time on Making Grilled Salmon
Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill while you prepare the salmon to save time.
Marinate in advance: Marinate the salmon fillets with olive oil, salt, and pepper the night before.
Use foil: Place the salmon on a piece of foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Lemon juice prep: Squeeze the lemon juice ahead of time and store it in a small container.
Batch grilling: Grill multiple salmon fillets at once if you need to serve more people.

Grilled Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 fillets Salmon about 6 ounces each
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush the salmon fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place the salmon fillets on the grill, skin-side down. Grill for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from the grill and drizzle with fresh lemon juice before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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