Perfect Grilled Salmon

Grilled Salmon is very easy to make with lovely flavor and can be made in several different ways. Here’s a simple guide to help you grill salmon, depending on the type, cut, marinade or seasonings. Love salmon? Check out 25+ Amazing Salmon Recipes!

When our heart opens, we find Truth in every season and every moment of our life. Nothing is excluded; no one is separate. ~Dorothy Hunt

This week I received numerous emails asking about the best way to grill salmon. I thought I’d put together a post on how to do this, sharing some tips I’ve learned along the way.

In our catering business, grilled salmon was one of the most requested entrees we served. Literally, after grilling thousands of pieces of salmon, I’m hoping there is something even experienced grillers will find useful here.

Grilling salmon depends on the following:

1. The type or variety of salmon you have.
2. The cut of salmon and whether the skin is on or off.
3. The type of seasonings (marinade, dry rub or paste).

Common Varieties of Salmon

The type or variety of salmon makes a difference in grilling because different varieties contain different oil content levels and are of different thicknesses.

• King Salmon and Atlantic Salmon are rich, oily varieties that are pink-fleshed and are thicker by nature, making them harder to overcook. The oil content will keep them from getting dried out. Hands down my favorite salmon to grill is Wild King Salmon- also the most expensive. See below on how to source sustainably raised, antibiotic-free Atlantic Salmon.
• Sockeye Salmon and Coho Salmon have beautiful bright red flesh, are generally thinner than King salmon or Atlantic, and have a low oil content. They have a really clean fresh ocean taste, which I love, but when grilled need to be watched like a hawk so they don’t overcook- as they cook quickly. The prized Copper River Salmon falls into this category.

Cuts of Salmon to grill

• Whole Salmon Filets- are a whole side of salmon, deboned, typically with the skin left on. The best way to grill these is to oil, salt and pepper the skin side really well, and grill on a greased grill with the skin side down so it crisps up. The skin can be eaten and is actually one of my favorite parts, if crispy. The flesh can be treated with a dry rub or marinade. Do not marinate the skin side, or your skin will get soggy. Typically, when grilling a whole filet, only grill the skin side, unless you are very adept at flipping and have two extra large metal spatulas. Try adding wood chips to infuse the salmon for even more flavor.
• Cut Salmon Filets- are smaller cuts of one side of the salmon. These can be grilled with the skin removed or left on. Both sides of the salmon can be grilled, unless very thin, then I usually just grill the skin side.
• Salmon Steaks – are slices of the salmon straight through both sides of the salmon, right through the backbone, typically an inch thick, with the skin on and bone in. Both sides of the salmon can be grilled.

How to grill A Whole Salmon Filet (Skin-On)

Step One: Brush the skin-side with olive oil, and season generously with kosher salt and black pepper.  (See detailed recipe below). Decide if you want to use a dry rub, paste or marinade.

Step Two: Season the flesh side. Use a marinade, dry rub or paste. On this Copper River Salmon, I’m using the miso marinade from the recipe card below.

Preheat a gas grill to medium-high, then lower to medium. If using a charcoal grill, prepare the coals, then move them to the side, and the internal temp is roughly 350F.

Step Three: Grill the salmon skin-side down. 

Grill over a WELL greased grill over medium heat, covered, until the internal temp at the thickest part is 125-130F.  You can lay the salmon skin right on the greased grill. Do not fiddle with it.

As the skin sears, it will release itself from the grill—no need to flip a whole filet.

If you have an extra thick piece of salmon, lower the temp, and after good grill marks appear, feel free to rotate, creating crosshatch grill marks.

To remove: Use 2 thin metal spatulas to transfer to a platter.  This is easiest with 2 people.

Expert Tips

• Pastes: If grilling Sockeye Fillet or Coho Salmon filet (less oily salmon), I recommend using “ paste” ( mix a dry rub or spice mix with olive oil– add salt, minced garlic, etc.) or a marinade to coat the salmon flesh to help prevent it from drying out.
• Dry rubs:  Best on oily Salmon– like King Salmon or Atlantic Salmon. Examples include- Our Northwest Salmon Rub , Cajun Seasoning, Zaatar, Dukkah, Five Spice, Taco seasoning, etc.
• Marinades: Best on skin-off salmon (or use a brush on the flesh side)  Chermoula,  Miso Marinade (see below), Szechuan Sauce , Teriyaki Sauce, Preserved Lemon Gremolata, Gremolata, Green Harissa Sauce, Harissa Paste
• Expert TIP #1: NEVER marinate the skin side of salmon, it will get soggy. Brush marinade or paste on top of the flesh only. ALWAYS lightly oil and salt the skin and keep it DRY so it crisps. Soggy skin is really unappealing.
• Expert TIP #2: Add the element of smoke. Applewood chips and oak chips are nice. When you preheat the grill, place a half cup (DRY) of apple wood chips in a foil packet with an opening or use an empty tuna can.
• Expert Tip #3:  Try using Cedar Planks – see our Cedar Plank Salmon
• Expert tip #3: Always grease the grill well.
• Expert Tip #4: Don’t overcook the salmon ( perfect at 125F), and don’t cook too aggressively (medium heat is best) , or the salmon will release its albumin (a white protein that oozes out).
• Expert Tip #5: Do not grill in salmon foil packets- the foil with leach into your salmon.

Note: You can also use a nonstick grill grid. But in my opinion, you honestly don’t need one, if you grease the grill well. Plus, non-stick is usually coated with stuff you don’t want to eat. At least I don’t. Up to you. When catering, we always grilled directly on the grill grates, no matter the type of salmon, skin on or off.  

*If you insist on cooking on top of something– please don’t use foil; the aluminum will leach into the salmon. Use cedar planks, a cast iron skillet or griddle, if you must- and use the wood chips; otherwise, you might as well just pan-sear. 😉

Here above is an example of skin-on salmon topped with a zesty, herby olive oil paste (from this recipe) with smoked applewood.

I’m testing out a grill pan, which I will probably never used again for salmon.  I felt it just created more work by having to clean it. The only reason I would use this again is perhaps over a campfire- up to you. I much prefer cedar planks to a grill pan.

Grilled Salmon Fillet (skin-off)

Step one: Brush with olive oil and season.  This can be as simple as salt and pepper, or use a favorite spice rub or a use marinade. Marinate salmon up to 48 hours before grilling. Note: If there is acid (lemon juice or vinegar) in the marinade, it can cook the salmon so a shorter 30-90 minute marinade is best in that case.

Step Two: Grill on medium heat, greased grill, turning it over. Cook until internal temp is 125-130F and cooked to medium, slightly translucent in the center. This takes about 7-9 minutes total, depending on how thick the salmon is.

Here is an example of a grilled skin-on salmon with a Mexican spice rub from our Grilled Salmon Salad post.

Again, grill both sides, crisping up the oiled and salted skin side. Serve this with the skin side up, to keep it crispy.

What type of Salmon to Buy?

Some of you may be wondering which salmon you should buy. Here are some general guidelines to help you make an informed decision.

What to serve with Grilled Salmon

Dill Sauce

Grilled Potatoes

French Potato Salad

Grilled Asparagus

Enjoy the Grilled Miso Salmon Below!

xoxo

Sylvia

More Salmon Recipes you may enjoy

Cedar Plank Salmon

Northwest Salmon Rub

Grilled Salmon Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

Grilled Salmon with Pickled Huckleberries

• 25 BEST Salmon Recipes!
• Blackened Salmon Sandwich
• Furikake Salmon
• Grilled Salmon Salad with Avocado Cucumber Salsa
• Grilled Salmon with Tzatziki

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