Cooking Salmon On The Grill

grilled salmon on a plate

Get perfectly grilled salmon every single time with this easy and fool-proof step-by-step tutorial on How to Grill Salmon!

This grilled salmon recipe comes out so tender and flakey. It's a quick and healthy protein to make on the grill.

grilled salmon on a plate with broccoli and rice

Grilled Salmon = Easy Grilling!

When it comes to grilling, salmon is one of the quickest and easiest (and most delicious!) proteins to grill as long as you follow a few simple steps.

Our grilled salmon recipe is made flavored with the basics (salt and pepper) so that you can serve your salmon in many different ways. Try eating it next to your favorite grilled veggies, in a rice bowl, or in a breakfast scramble!

Raw salmon on a plate being seasoned with salt and pepper and brushed with olive oil

How to Grill Salmon

We'll walk you through how to grill salmon, so you can grill 'em up with confidence and pair with your favorite grilled sides (ahem, we've got some recommendations below) tonight!

Preheat gas or charcoal grill to 450°F – 475°F. High heat is crucial to getting that perfect sear on your salmon without overcooking it!

Then, remove moisture from salmon fillets by patting with a paper towel. Once your salmon has been patted dry, use a brush to brush olive oil onto all sides of each salmon fillet (yes, even the skin side!).

Finally, generously season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.

salmon marinade

Once your grill has fully preheated, place salmon fillets directly on the grill, skin side down, and close the grill. Grill your fillets skin-side down for 6 minutes (yes, only 6 minutes!).

Then, flip the fillets and grill for an additional 2 minutes skin side up. This will give your salmon those perfectly seared grill marks.

Grill salmon at 450ºF for 8 total minutes starting with 6 minute skin-side down. Flip and grill for an additional 2 minutes.

salmon fillet on a gas grill

Salmon needs to cook to an internal temperature of 140°F – 145ºF before removing it from the grill.

If your salmon needs additional time to reach an internal temperature of 140°F (which is common if your fillets are especially thick!), flip back to skin-side down and grill for an additional 1 minute at a time.

Remove the salmon from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes. This will allow the internal temperature of your salmon to increase by 5ºF to 145°F.

Remove the skin by peeling it back away from the fillet. The skin should peel off easily on cooked salmon. Then serve with your favorite grilling sides. We recommend any of the following 😀

How do you keep salmon moist when grilling?

The best way to make grilled salmon is at a higher heat. This will cook it quickly, which helps prevent it from drying out. We suggest heating your grill to 450ºF to 475ºF.

What to Serve with Salmon

While you're grilling up your salmon, consider making any of the following sides that pair perfectly with salmon!

Veggies

Grilled Carrots
Balsamic Grilled Brussels Sprouts
Foil Pack Red Potatoes

Grains

Cilantro Lime Rice
The Perfect Quinoa
Healthy Fried Rice

Drinks

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita
Rosemary Vodka Collins
Strawberry Peach Rose Sangria
Honey Greyhound Cocktail

2 6-oz. skin-on salmon fillets
1–2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
optional: lemon juice, for serving

Preheat gas or charcoal grill to 450°F – 475°F.
Remove moisture from salmon fillets by patting with a paper towel. Then, use a brush to brush olive oil onto all sides of each salmon fillet.
Generously season salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
Once your grill has fully preheated, place salmon fillets directly on the grill, skin side down, and close the grill.
Grill skin-side down for 6 minutes.
Then, flip the fillets and grill for an additional 2 minutes skin-side up. Ensure the salmon is cooked to an internal temperature of 140°F before removing from the grill. If salmon needs additional time to reach an internal temperature of 140°F, flip back to skin side down and grill for an additional 1 minute at a time.
Remove salmon from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes (internal temperature will continue to increase to 145°F even after being removed from heat).
Remove skin and serve with optional fresh lemon juice.

Serving Size: 1/2 Calories: 366 Sugar: 0 Sodium: 95 Fat: 21 Carbohydrates: 0 Fiber: 0 Protein: 43 Cholesterol: 98

Category: Seafood Method: Grill Cuisine: American Diet: Gluten Free

Keywords: how to grill salmon, grilled salmon, grilled salmon recipe

Photography: photos taken in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.

About Emily Richter

Emily spent the first 10 years of her career in marketing and advertising roles and started side-hustling with Fit Foodie Finds in Fall of 2015. She joined Team Fit Foodie full-time in the Spring of 2018. Em lives in Minneapolis with her husband and dog, and manages FFF business operations as well as all things sponsorships and brand collaborations.