Easy Grilled Salmon
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Jun. 14, 2025
We love our salmon, and this Easy Grilled Salmon is my favorite way to get dinner on the table fast. It’s flavorful, flaky, and comes out perfect every single time.
In This Article
This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
Amy’s Notes
Our family absolutely devours salmon, and whenever the weather warms up enough to grill, this Grilled Salmon is on the dinner table. It needs no sauces at all, it’s really that good.
- Just 3 Ingredients: Fresh salmon, salt, and pepper is all you’ll need. For a bit of savory-sweetness, see our Honey Glazed Salmon.
- Fast and Flavorful: This recipe comes together in under 10 minutes, but still feels special.
- Perfect Grill Every Time: The key is starting with a super hot grill – no sticking, no mess. It gives the fish that crispy edge and tender center I love, just like in our Grilled Red Snapper.
- It Goes With Everything: I serve it over rice, salad, or pasta. It’s especially good with the lemony twist of our Lemon Salmon Pasta if you’re in the mood for something more filling.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Salmon Fillets – Choose fresh or high-quality flash-frozen fillets—salmon is the star of the dish, so the better the fish, the better the flavor and texture.
- Kosher Salt – A light sprinkle of kosher salt enhances the natural flavor of the salmon without overpowering it.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Adds a subtle kick and earthy depth that complements the richness of the fish.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Seasoning Options: Kosher salt and pepper keep it classic, but you can add a sprinkle of garlic powder, smoked paprika, or lemon pepper for extra flavor. Or try a dash of Old Bay or Cajun seasoning for a subtle kick.
- Add Citrus: Add fresh lemon zest before grilling, or serve with lemon or lime wedges for squeezing over just before eating.
- Glaze It: For a simple glaze, brush the salmon with a mix of honey and Dijon mustard during the last minute of cooking. You can also teriyaki sauce, like in my Grilled Teriyaki Salmon recipe.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Pat salmon dry, as thoroughly as you can.
- Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Grill on both sides, using a super hot outdoor or indoor cast iron grill.
- Let rest 5 minutes and serve. Just a squeeze of lemon for garnish.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Prep Salmon: Season the salmon up to 1 day in advance. Pat fillets dry, season with salt and pepper, and store in an airtight container in the fridge. This allows the seasoning to absorb and the fish to be ready to cook when you are.
- Grill and Store: Grilled salmon can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container. Reheat gently or enjoy chilled over salads, grain bowls, or wraps.
What To Serve With Easy Grilled Salmon
Starches
- We love serving Easy Grilled Salmon over a bed of Instant Pot Jasmine Rice – it’s soft, fluffy, and soaks up every bit of flavor from the salmon.
- It also goes great with Cilantro Lime Rice when we want something zesty. It’s one of our flavor rice bowls to have.
Veggies and Salads
- This salmon pairs beautifully with Broccoli Apple Salad. The crunchy broccoli and sweet apples bring a fresh, crisp contrast to the warm, tender fish.
- It also goes great with a scoop of Easy Roasted Veggies or a light Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad to round out the plate.
Drinks
- We love sipping a Hawaiian Mai Tai with this Easy Grilled Salmon. The tropical notes play perfectly with the smoky, charred flavors.
- It also goes great with Mango Margaritas or a crisp Paloma Cocktail for a refreshing, citrusy finish.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Easy Grilled Salmon
This Easy Grilled Salmon is my favorite way to get dinner on the table fast. It’s flavorful, flaky, and comes out perfect every single time. You don't even need any sauces.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, 6-8 oz each, about 1-inch thick
- kosher salt
- black pepper, freshly ground
- Optional Garnish: lemon slices, freshly chopped herbs of your choice
Instructions
- Thoroughly dry salmon fillets with paper towels.
- Sprinkle a light layer of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides – or just top side, if bottom has skin on.
- Lightly grease and heat outdoor grill or indoor cast-iron grill until very hot and smoky. Lay salmon fillets on grill and cook on medium-high heat until just-cooked.
- If cooking indoors, cover pan partially to reduce smoke. Cook about 2-3 min per side, depending on thickness. Do not over-cook.
- Let cooked fish rest at room temperature for a few minutes before serving with your desired garnishes.
Notes
- Choose high-quality salmon fillets, either fresh or flash-frozen and thawed. The better the fish, the better the flavor and texture of your final dish.
- Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps you get that nice sear and prevents sticking.
- Lightly oil both the grill grates and the salmon to help prevent sticking and achieve beautiful grill marks.
- Make sure your grill is very hot before adding the salmon. A hot grill sears the fish quickly, keeping it juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside.
- Let the salmon rest for a few minutes after grilling. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the fillets tender and moist.
- This recipe is part of our Healthy 30-Minute Dinner Recipes Collection.
- We love serving Easy Grilled Salmon over a bed of Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 505kcal | Protein: 112g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 2778mg | Vitamin A: 227IU | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 5mg
Commonly Asked Questions
Do I need to remove the salmon skin before grilling?
Nope! If your fillets have skin on, you can leave it intact. Grill skin-side down first – it helps hold the fish together and prevents sticking. You can serve it with or without the skin depending on preference.
How do I know when the salmon is done?
The salmon is done when the edges are opaque and flake easily, and the center is just barely cooked through. It should still be moist and tender – not dry or chalky. Aim for 2–3 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
How do I keep the salmon from sticking to the grill?
Make sure the grill is extremely hot and lightly greased before adding the fish. Don’t move the salmon once it’s on the grill – let it sear and naturally release when ready to flip.
How long does the grilled salmon recipe keep?
Leftover grilled salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s great flaked over salads, rice bowls, or turned into salmon salad the next day.
More to Cook And Eat
- Salmon Poke Bowl – This Salmon Poke Bowl is a homemade version of the popular Hawaiian dish. It’s fresh, flavorful, and even better than your favorite sashimi.
- Air Fryer Salmon – Seasoned with bold spices and air fried to crispy perfection this flaky, succulent air fryer salmon comes together in less than 20 minutes!
- Pistachio Crusted Salmon – This Pistachio Crusted Salmon is delicious enough to wow your dinner guests, yet easy enough for busy weeknights.
- Easy Baked Salmon Recipe – This Baked Salmon, using simple sheet pan is a deliciously quick and easy weeknight meal that’s healthy and flavorful.