Name: Marinated Grilled Salmon Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets, skin on (150-180 g each); Olive oil, for cooking; 1/3 cup (85 ml) soy sauce, low sodium; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 3 tbsp honey; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 garlic cloves, minced; Parsley, chives or green onion, finely chopped; Lemon slices

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 40 reviews

If you’re looking for a way to jazz up your dinner routine, this Marinated Grilled Salmon Recipe is an absolute game-changer. Not only does it deliver that perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors, but the grilling adds a wonderful smoky char that makes every bite sing. I promise, once you try this, you’ll find it hard to make salmon any other way. Plus, it’s pretty simple to whip up, so you can impress family and friends without stress. Let me take you through how I make this every time—and share some insider tips so you nail it too.

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Why This Recipe Works

Flavor Harmony: The marinade’s blend of soy sauce, honey, garlic, and lemon juice creates a perfect sweet-salty tang that really elevates the salmon.
Simple Prep, Big Impact: Minimal ingredients and a straightforward marinade make this dish easy, even if you’re a grilling novice.
Perfect Texture: Grilling skin-on fillets keeps the fish moist and helps prevent it from falling apart on the grill.
Versatile and Customizable: You can tweak the marinade to your taste with spices or swap ingredients easily.

Marinated Grilled Salmon, flavorful grilled salmon recipes, easy healthy seafood dinner, citrus honey salmon marinade, smoky grilled salmon - The image shows a white oval plate with four grilled salmon fillets arranged in a single vertical line, each piece covered in a shiny brown glaze and sprinkled with green herbs. Around the salmon are seven lemon wedges, strategically placed to frame the fish with their bright yellow color. On the right side of the plate, there is a small corn cob with grill marks and a dollop of white sauce on top. The background features a white marbled surface with a barely visible fork at the top and parts of a salad bowl and a dish holding more corn cobs on each side, both on the same white marbled texture. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Marinated Grilled Salmon Recipe plays its part to create the perfect bite. The olive oil keeps things moist and stops sticking, while the lemon juice cuts through to brighten the dish. Choosing fresh garlic really amps up the aroma, and honey balances salty and tangy with a touch of sweetness. Here are some quick thoughts on the key players.

Marinated Grilled Salmon, flavorful grilled salmon recipes, easy healthy seafood dinner, citrus honey salmon marinade, smoky grilled salmon - Flat lay of four fresh salmon fillets with skin on, a small white bowl of light brown soy sauce, a small white bowl with bright yellow lemon juice, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of greenish olive oil, two whole uncracked garlic cloves, a few sprigs of fresh green parsley, and three thin lemon slices arranged symmetrically on simple white ceramic dishes, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salmon fillets (skin-on): Skin-on salmon firmly holds together on the grill, making flipping easier and adding crispy texture if you like the skin.
Soy sauce (low sodium): Adds savory umami without overwhelming saltiness—low sodium gives you more control over seasoning.
Lemon juice: Its acidity tenderizes the fish slightly and brightens all the flavors in the marinade, giving that fresh pop.
Honey: Balances savory and tangy with gentle sweetness and helps create that delightful glaze when cooked.
Olive oil: Keeps the salmon moist and helps prevent it from sticking to the grill grates.
Garlic (minced): Fresh is best here for a punch of aromatic flavor—nothing beats that garlicky fragrance.
Optional herbs like parsley or chives: These fresh garnishes add color and a subtle layer of freshness right before serving.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I’ve played around with this Marinated Grilled Salmon Recipe a lot, and I love how versatile it is. Sometimes I add a touch of chili flakes for a spicy kick or swap lemon juice with rice vinegar for a different tang. Feel free to make it yours—cooking is all about what flavors you enjoy and how you like your salmon cooked.

Spicy Variation: I love tossing in a dash of hot sauce or chili flakes to the marinade when I want to add some heat—it gives a nice warm finish without overpowering the fish.
Herb Twist: Adding fresh grated ginger or a sprinkle of five-spice powder changes things up wonderfully when I’m feeling adventurous.
Sweet Swap: Maple syrup works beautifully instead of honey if you prefer a deeper sweetness.
Dietary Adjustments: For gluten-free, just ensure your soy sauce is tamari or a certified GF version—simple!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Marinated Grilled Salmon Recipe

Step 1: Marinate with Love

Start by combining the soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, olive oil, and minced garlic in a ziplock bag or shallow dish. Add your salmon fillets, skin side on, and gently massage the marinade into the fish. Then pop it in the fridge for anywhere from 1 to 24 hours. I usually aim for around 4 hours to let the flavors sink in deeply but keep things juicy. Remember to take the salmon out about 30 minutes before grilling to bring it closer to room temperature—this helps it cook evenly without drying out.

Step 2: Prep Your Grill and Sauce

While the salmon chills, brush your grill grates with olive oil—this little step is a lifesaver for avoiding sticky, broken pieces of fish. Heat the grill to medium or slightly lower if your grill runs hot. Pour the leftover marinade into a small saucepan and simmer it on medium-high heat until it thickens into a syrupy glaze, about 3-5 minutes. This sauce is fantastic for basting the salmon while grilling and serving on the side for extra flavor.

Step 3: Grill Like a Pro

Place your salmon fillets on the grill flesh side down (skin side up). You want to cook them for about 3 minutes until the edges turn golden and they release easily from the grill. Then gently flip using tongs and start basting with the syrupy sauce. Close the lid and cook for another 3-4 minutes, basting halfway through again, until the salmon reaches your desired doneness. For me, 50°C (120°F) is medium-rare perfection, but 55°C (130°F) is great if you like it more cooked through. Keep a kitchen thermometer handy to avoid overcooking—that’s the secret to salmon that flakes easily but stays moist.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Once off the grill, let the salmon rest for a minute or two. Then serve it up with the remaining glaze and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives, plus lemon slices for an extra pop of brightness. My friends always ask how I get such juicy salmon with those amazing flavors—now you know! This recipe genuinely feels like a little celebration every time.

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Pro Tips for Making Marinated Grilled Salmon Recipe

Bring to Room Temperature: I always let my salmon sit out for 30 minutes before grilling—it helps avoid uneven cooking.
Oil the Grill, Not the Fish: Brushing the grill grates with oil prevents sticking better than oiling the salmon directly.
Simmer the Marinade: Turning the leftover marinade into a glaze intensifies flavors and keeps things moist during grilling.
Use a Thermometer: Trust me, this changed my cooking game—avoids dry, overcooked salmon every time.

How to Serve Marinated Grilled Salmon Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my grilled salmon with freshly chopped parsley and a few snips of green onion for that mild oniony zip. Lemon slices are a must in my house—they brighten each bite perfectly, and squeezing some extra lemon juice over adds a lovely zing. If I’m feeling fancy, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a nutty crunch that pairs wonderfully with the marinade flavors.

Side Dishes

Hands down, my favorite sides with this salmon are grilled asparagus or sautéed green beans—they complement the smoky flavor without stealing the spotlight. For a heartier meal, I’ll pair it with garlic mashed potatoes or a fluffy quinoa salad mixed with fresh herbs and cherry tomatoes. Rice bowls with avocado and edamame also work beautifully to soak up that delicious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I sometimes serve the grilled salmon over a bed of wild rice or couscous, nestled alongside colorful roasted vegetables. Drizzling extra glaze artistically around the plate makes it look restaurant-worthy. Another fun idea is to serve the salmon on top of fresh greens as part of a warm salad—perfect if you’re aiming to impress without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To keep it from drying out, I spoon some of the reserved marinade glaze over the top before sealing it. It makes reheated salmon taste almost as fresh as when first cooked.

Freezing

If I have extra salmon, I freeze the marinated uncooked fillets wrapped tightly in plastic and foil. Frozen like this, they keep well for about 2 months and thaw beautifully overnight in the fridge. I prefer freezing before grilling to preserve the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat grilled salmon is gently in the oven at 275°F (135°C) wrapped loosely in foil to retain moisture. It takes about 10-15 minutes, and adding a little extra glaze before heating helps keep it from drying out. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that nice flaky texture.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this Marinated Grilled Salmon Recipe?

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the salmon completely in the fridge before marinating and grilling. This helps the marinade penetrate better and ensures even cooking on the grill.
How long should I marinate the salmon?

I recommend marinating for at least 1 hour to get good flavor in, but anywhere between 3 to 24 hours is ideal. The longer it marinates (without going beyond 24 hours), the more intense the taste will be.
Can I use a pan or oven instead of grilling?

Definitely! If you don’t have a grill, you can pan-sear the salmon over medium heat, skin-side down first, then finish in a hot oven at 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes. The glaze can be brushed on similarly to keep those amazing flavors.
What if I don’t want to eat the skin?

No worries! You can serve the salmon with skin on for presentation and let everyone decide if they want to eat it. Alternatively, peel it off before serving—it’s all about what you prefer.
How can I tell when the salmon is perfectly cooked?

Using a meat thermometer is the best bet: aim for 50°C (120°F) for medium-rare or 55°C (130°F) for medium. The salmon should flake easily but still be moist inside.

Final Thoughts

This Marinated Grilled Salmon Recipe is one of those dishes that keeps me coming back because it’s just so satisfying—and it’s foolproof, too. The balance of flavors and the juicy texture never disappoint, whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend BBQ with friends. I really hope you give it a try and see how easy and delicious salmon can be. Once you do, it might just become your go-to recipe like it is for me!