When its time to grill up deliciousness, try my easy to make marinade and add layers of flavor to your grilled salmon. This dish will make salmon lovers out of even the pickiest eaters.
Do you have someone in your family that doesn’t like salmon? My marinated grilled salmon is guaranteed to make salmon lovers out of them!
What are some of your favorite foods to grill?
Everyone brings out the chicken, burgers and dogs when it’s time to grill, but you rarely find seafood on the grill.
Whether it’s the higher price that seafood commands or the fear of ruining those more expensive items, too many people shy away from cooking all those delicious treats from the sea.
Is Salmon difficult to grill?
Seafood really isn’t difficult to grill; it just requires more of a watchful eye so it doesn’t overcook and dry out. Salmon is one of my favorite fish to grill because of the higher fat
Wouldn’t you like to sit down to this delicious platter of marinated grilled salmon? I know your friends and family would.
Let’s start by gathering our ingredients together to make my marinated grilled salmon. In Chef Speak this is referred to as the Mise en Place, which translates to everything in its place.
It’s really a good idea to get into the habit of getting your ingredients ready. It speeds up the cooking process and ensures you’re not missing an ingredient you need to make the dish.
Remember that recipes are guidelines, feel free to add your own special touches to the marinade.
Do you like ginger, or maybe some shallots would be a nice touch? Whether you use my recipe or make adjustments all you have to do is mix the ingredients together in a bowl and get ready to marinate the salmon.
What type of Salmon is best to Marinate?
I used King Salmon (Chinook) for my recipe and always try to find Pacific Salmon for my recipes.
You can, of course, use any salmon you have available in your markets. Sockeye (red) and Coho (silver) are two of my other favorites.
Atlantic Salmon is more plentiful and usually less expensive and can also be used. I prefer wild-caught fish to farmed seafood.
*Farmed salmon is much higher in fat, containing slightly more omega-3s, much more omega-6 and three times the amount of saturated fat. It also has 46% more calories — mostly from fat. Conversely, wild salmon is higher in minerals, including potassium, zinc and iron.
What fish would be a good substitute for salmon in this recipe?
Not all fish are good for marinating. Firm steak-type fish marinate well. My choices are Tuna, Swordfish, Halibut and Mahi.
*Fish and seafood are most easily influenced by marinades because of their light density. These foods typically shouldn’t marinate for more than 30 to 60 minutes.
Salmon is more forgiving as are the fish I mentioned above as substitutes. Marinating them a little longer is OK.
Place the salmon in a baking dish (or zip-top bag) and pour the marinade over the fish, covering as much as possible.
Refrigerate the salmon and let it marinate for 1-2 hours. You can turn the salmon over halfway through the process.
I like to serve wilted spinach with salmon. Not only does it add color to the plate, the flavors are a nice compliment to the marinated grilled salmon.
Wilted spinach is pretty easy to prepare, just don’t cook the spinach fully. You can also heat olive oil seasoned with your choice of spices and aromatics. When the oil is hot enough just toss the spinach with the heated oil. This is a great way to add additional flavors to the dish.
For me, it’s all about the flavors. Using fresh herbs, spices and aromatics can turn an ordinary dish into a culinary masterpiece. And there’s nothing worse than cooking all these delicious dishes and not being able to eat them because of heartburn….sigh.
If you love Salmon, you might also like these recipes:
- Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon
- Mediterranean Style Salmon
- Blackened Salmon Salad
- Stuffed Salmon with Cream Cheese and Crabmeat
Marinated Grilled Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 6 ounce salmon fillets skinless and boneless
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lite soy sauce
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- Parsley-finely chopped for garnish
- Lime wheels for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
- Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish or large ziplock bag.
- Add the marinade to the baking dish And refrigerate for 1-2 hours. If you use a ziplock bag, seal the bag and gently move the salmon around in the marinade.
- Preheat grill to medium-high (350º-400ºF)
- Clean the grill thoroughly to make sure the salmon doesn’t stick.*add a light coat of oil to the grill using tongs holding an oiled paper towel
- Place salmon filets filet side down first (skin side up) on the hot grill.
- Grill on each side for about 5 minutes or until the desired doneness
- Optional:
- Serve on a bed of wilted spinach
Theresa says
Wow Dennis, you knocked it out of the park with this one! I made it as a special New Year’s Eve meal for my family, and every bit was gone! I’m not lucky enough to live by the coast, which means I tend to order my salmon online. This dish was well worth the added effort. Thank you!
Daniela says
Whoa your salmon pics rock! The marinade sounds delicious! Def wanna make this :)!!!
Natalie says
We love salmon for dinner. My kids love it especially. I will definitely give this recipe a try. It’s something new that I never made before. Love the addition of smoked paprika. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe.
lauren says
This looks so wonderful! Grilled salmon is my go to dinner, definitely adding this marinated version to the line up.I wouldn’t have considered smoked paprika before but love that idea!
Charity says
I had no idea that farmed salmon was so much more caloric! Guess I need to pay more attention to the type of salmon I’m buying. Thanks for the suggestions!
Nicole says
Your photos are great and this recipe seems perfect! I love a good salmon recipe!
Amy says
Wow! I was sold on this recipe just looking at those gorgeous pictures! My family loves salmon, and I can’t wait to try this delicious marinade with them!
Carol Borchardt says
I’m always on the lookout for great salmon recipes for my clients and this sure looks like a winner! Love the presentation, too! Pinned too because I plan to make it soon!
Sara says
What a DELICIOUS salmon recipe! The wilted spinach and marinated salmon are a perfect combination. This is such a great option for a weeknight dinner that’s both nutritious and yummy!
Jo says
Love salmon and I love it grilled. The flavors are amazing and I love your photos. This dish looks so fancy but it’s so easy to make with your recipe!
Claire says
I made this for date night and it was delicious. Hubby asked if we can have it introduced into our monthly menu plan!
Chef Dennis Littley says
thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the recipe, Claire and for the great review!
Kate says
I need a way to pep up my usual weeknight salmon so I’m going to have to try this delicious marinade! It was interesting to read about the nutritional differences between farmed and wild salmon, I didn’t realize there was that much of a difference, very good to know!
Michelle says
I love that marinade, it sounds so zesty and fresh, perfect for salmon! I’m a veggie but my husband still eats a little fish, he’ll love this!
Melissa says
Chef Dennis, Your marinated grilled salmon looks amazing! Light and fresh for summer! I can’t wait to give this delicious recipe a try myself!
Pam Wattenbarger says
Salmon is my favorite fish to cook and eat. This marinated grilled salmon sounds like it would be really tasty.
Rena says
This looks amazing! I love salmon but I never knew how to cook it. I’m adding the ingredients to my shopping list right now!
Brandy says
Your marinated grilled salmon looks so yummy. I’ve been looking for ways to cook salmon, as I’ve never cooked it before. My teen had me try a bite at a local restaurant the other night though, and I was sold on the texture and flavor. This will be a great way for me to start cooking salmon for the family.
Cathy Mini says
This looks super yummy recipe. I haven’t tried marinated and grilled salmon yet and it’s quite interesting to try, yummy!
Sarah Bailey says
I have to admit I do love salmon and this sounds absolutely delicious! What a great way to cook up a delicious piece of salmon perfect for dinner.
Ruth I says
This is one great meal to have. What a nice way to cook salmon actually. The presentation looks like something I am seeing in the TV.
Agnes DelaCruz says
I will have to try this dish this weekend. I love how simple and easy the recipe is. Thanks!
HilLesha says
I don’t eat seafood, but my two brothers absolutely love salmon. They would love this for sure!
Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers says
I am not a huge fan of fish but I will have to give this marinade a try. I’ll eat fish occasionally but I’m kinda picky, it has to be freshly caught from the source. I miss living close to places where I can go toss a pole in the water and chill for the afternoon.
Shannon Gurnee says
I love to eat salmon and this looks like a delicious recipe! I would love trying to make this sometime.
Liz Mays says
A dinner like this would be perfect for a date night. The marinade sounds super nice and I’m liking the spinach.
cait says
salmon is a HUGE thing for us and this looks amazing- i love grilling it and thinks it def something we’d love to enjoy for dinner this week!
Melissa Chapman says
That marinade looks so awesome, anyone would love salmon that is marinaded like that. My husband used to grill salmon but never did it look this good.
Alli Smith says
I love that I can use halibut with this same marinade – salmon and halibut are two of my favorites. Looks so delicious!
Amy H says
I know my husband loves Salmon, but I have never made it for him. This grilled salmon looks delicous
rika livingston says
Yes, I love Salmon and yes, I often get heartburn! I am bookmarking this recipe!
Catalina says
This dish looks so fancy but it’s so easy to make with your recipe! This salmon looks amazingly delicious!
Beth says
Salmon is one of the few fish I feel comfortable cooking. I’ll have to try this marinade, it looks like it will be delicious!
Ruth I says
We rarely eat this part of salmon because it’s a little expensive. But for our next salmon meat, we will be trying this yummy recipe!
Kathy says
That sure does look really good. I love a great healthy and delicious recipe. I can’t wait to give this one a try.
Lynndee says
I love salmon. We actually just had some yesterday. Your marinade sounds delicious. I’m def going to try that soon.
Brandy says
I tried a bite of salmon for the first time the other day. It was so delightful. I now am looking for ways to cook it at home, I am going to try your marinated grilled salmon recipe.
Joanna Clute says
Salmon is one of my favorite meals. This looks charred to perfection and full of flavor!
Theresa says
I love salmon and also always go for wild caught. I’ll pay a little more for better quality and better nutritional value. Your marinade sounds like an absolute must try!
Amber Myers says
I will have to try this for dinner one night. I know my husband and kids have always enjoyed salmon.
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
Salmon is one of my favorite proteins and I’m always looking for new ways to prepare it. You make this look delicious and the pictures are absolutely mouth-watering.
Jeanette says
This Sounds absolutely delicious and I cannot wait to try it. Our family loves fish and this looks like a tasty way to try it.
Alli Smith says
We love salmon at our house. We’re actually grilling salmon tonight so this recipe will come in handy. It looks so delicious and I love the marinade ingredients.