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Home » Recipes » Seafood Recipes

Easy Marinated Grilled Salmon

Published: Aug 9, 2019 · Modified: Apr 8, 2021 by Chef Dennis Littley

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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!

overhead view of marinated grilled salmon with lime slices on top sitting on a bed of wilted spinach on a white platter
Table of Contents:
  • Audio Player
  • Is Salmon difficult to grill?
  • What Ingredients do I use to make Marinated Salmon?
  • What type of Salmon is best to Marinate?
  • What fish would be a good substitute for salmon in this recipe?
  • More Salmon Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Easy Marinated Grilled Salmon

Audio Player



 

This is one of my favorite salmon recipes. The marinade recipe is easy to make and it adds so much flavor the salmon. It’s perfect for grilling or can be made in the oven or air fryer.

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.

overhead view of marinated grilled salmon un a bed of spinach with slices of lime on top

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.

What Ingredients do I use to make Marinated Salmon?

ingredients for marinade in glass bowls with salmon fillets on white paper

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. 

4 salmon filets on white paper next to a glass bowl of marinade

Remember that recipes are guidelines, feel free to add your own special touches to make your own delicious marinade recipes.

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 salmon.

If you have lots of salmon and want to try something else, give my pistachio crusted salmon recipe a try as well.

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.

4 salmon filets marinating in a glass baking dish

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.

overhead view of marinated grilled salmon un a bed of spinach with slices of lime on top

I like to serve wilted spinach with salmon. Not only does it add color to the plate, but 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.

marinated grilled salmon un a bed of spinach with slices of lime on top

I guarantee this will be the best salmon marinade you’ll make. And it couldn’t be easier to make marinate the salmon. Wouldn’t you love to sit down to this deliciousness?

More Salmon Recipes You’ll Love!

  • roasted salmon fillet topped with feta olive tapenade on a white plate
    Mediterranean Style Salmon Recipe – Chef Dennis
  • overhead view of honey mustard salmon
    Grilled Dry Rub Honey Mustard Salmon
  • overhead view of a slice of Coulibiac of Salmon on a white plate with a dijon dill sauce and sprig of dill
    Coulibiac of Salmon {Salmon Wellington}
  • three seasoned and cooked salmon fillets on a white plate sitting on a cutting board
    How to Make Seasoned Cedar Planked Salmon

overhead view of marinated grilled salmon with lime slices on top sitting on a bed of wilted spinach on a white platter

Easy Marinated Grilled Salmon

Chef Dennis Littley
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.
4.99 from 58 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Listen to the Post
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Marinate 1 hour hr
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Entree
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 429 kcal

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 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon 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

Nutrition

Calories: 429kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 35gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 1180mgPotassium: 911mgSugar: 13gVitamin A: 315IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    4.99 from 58 votes (36 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Heidi says

    May 23, 2024 at 9:15 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my!! I love Salmon and my hubby doesn’t. I can’t wait to make this dish and see if he has any taste buds at all haha. I was drooling at the photos, wishing I had some of the right now. Gonna make it this weekend and see, as I accept your challenge, will keep you posted.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      May 24, 2024 at 8:32 am

      I look forward to hearing how you enjoyed the salmon!

      Reply
  2. silvano copat says

    June 18, 2023 at 9:10 am

    excellent presentation and very, very useful Thank you Chef Dennis.

    Reply
  3. Kay says

    March 09, 2022 at 6:25 pm

    5 stars
    ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ this marinade! I use it for grilling and also baking my salmon. Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Theresa says

    January 02, 2020 at 1:49 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  5. Daniela says

    August 19, 2019 at 9:02 pm

    Whoa your salmon pics rock! The marinade sounds delicious! Def wanna make this :)!!!

    Reply
  6. Natalie says

    August 19, 2019 at 10:33 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  7. lauren says

    August 18, 2019 at 11:03 pm

    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!

    Reply
  8. Charity says

    August 18, 2019 at 10:39 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  9. Nicole says

    August 18, 2019 at 10:23 pm

    Your photos are great and this recipe seems perfect! I love a good salmon recipe!

    Reply
  10. Amy says

    August 18, 2019 at 7:59 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! I was sold on this recipe just looking at those gorgeous pictures! My family loves salmon, and your recipe did not disappoint, it was a big hit.

    Reply
  11. Carol Borchardt says

    August 18, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  12. Sara says

    August 18, 2019 at 1:44 pm

    5 stars
    What a DELICIOUS salmon recipe! The wilted spinach and marinated salmon was a perfect combination. This was such a great option for a weeknight dinner that’s both nutritious and yummy!

    Reply
  13. Jo says

    August 18, 2019 at 12:35 pm

    5 stars
    Love salmon and I love it grilled. The flavors were amazing and I love your photos. This dish looks so fancy but it’s so easy to make with your recipe!

    Reply
  14. Claire says

    August 18, 2019 at 9:02 am

    5 stars
    I made this for date night and it was delicious. Hubby asked if we can have it introduced into our monthly menu plan!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      August 18, 2019 at 10:54 am

      thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the recipe, Claire and for the great review!

      Reply
  15. Kate says

    August 17, 2019 at 2:16 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
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My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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