Simple Grilled Salmon Recipe

5 from 3 votes

With beautiful grill marks and crispy edges with the juiciest centers, this grilled salmon recipe is simply delicious every time!

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Squeeze lemon juice evenly over salmon fillets, letting rest for just 5-10 minutes.
While salmon is resting, clean your grill off and then preheat it to medium-high heat (400-450°F).
After 5-10 minutes, pat the salmon dry. Then lightly brush about ½ tablespoon oil all over the fish. Season with salt and pepper.
Lightly brush grill grates (be careful!) with about ½ tablespoon oil.
Starting skin-side down, grill salmon for 4 minutes (covered).
Use a heavy spatula to scrap salmon off the grill (skin may fall off but can rearrange it later). Gently flip to the second side, grilling (covered) for another 3-5 minutes until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 135-145°F, depending on desired doneness.
Serve with your favorite seasoning, sauce, or just a squeeze of lemon!

Choose similar-sized fillets so they cook similar times.
Be gentle! Salmon is delicate and flaky. Do not flip to side #2 prematurely or you’ll risk it badly sticking! Skin-on salmon helps prevent sticking.
The skin may fall off the fish when you flip it. You can rearrange the skin underneath the fillets after cooking if desired…or eat it as a crunchy snack!
Oil will help prevent sticking, although the salmon may still stick a bit on the first side which is why you need a sturdy spatula to flip.
Yes, you can use a different marinade as long as there is some sort of oil in it to prevent sticking.