Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 skin-on salmon fillets 6 oz (170 g) each, similar thickness
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 tsp fine salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley optional, to finish
Equipment
- Outdoor grill with lid
- Wide fish spatula
- Tongs
- Instant-read thermometer
- Clean tray
- Paper towels
- Measuring spoons
Instructions
Prepare and grill
- Pat the thawed salmon dry with paper towels and place on a clean tray. Keep it refrigerated while you heat the grill.
- Heat a clean outdoor grill to medium-high, about 400°F (200°C), with a cooler indirect-heat area available. Brush the fish with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place the salmon skin-side down on the hot grate. Close the lid and cook for about 6–8 minutes, checking for flare-ups. Move to the cooler area if the outside browns too quickly.
- If the fish releases readily, support each portion with a wide spatula and turn once for light flesh-side browning. Cook another 2–4 minutes, or finish skin-side down over gentler heat if turning risks breaking it. Check early for thin pieces; the thickest center must reach 145°F (63°C). Timing depends on thickness and grill.
- Transfer to a clean serving plate. Serve promptly with lemon wedges and the optional dill or parsley. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C), and use within 3–4 days; reheat to 165°F (74°C).
Video
Notes
Allrecipes’ “How to Grill Salmon Perfectly Every Time,” published May 21, 2022, demonstrates grilling and handling salmon. Its soy-and-brown-sugar marinade differs from this simpler lemon-and-oil version; follow this card’s ingredients and use 145°F (63°C) as the cooking endpoint.
Contains fish. Nutrition depends on salmon species, portion weight and skin consumption. Optional herbs can be omitted.
Estimated ingredient cost uses 1.5 lb skin-on salmon at approximately US $8.97/lb (US $13.46), plus an estimated US $1.50–4.50 for the lemon, measured oil, seasonings and optional herbs. Prices vary by store; the full price of unused packages is not counted.