Prepare Time	Cook Time	Total Time
10 mins	15 ~ 20 mins	25 ~ 30 mins

 It’s grilling season again! If you’re a fan of fish but struggle with it falling apart on the grill at high temperature, consider trying salmon. With this tutorial, you’ll learn how to grill salmon in less than 30 minutes using two different methods - directly on the grill or wrapped in foil. Also, how to marinate and how long to grill salmon are included. Now, get ready to grill some delicious, juicy salmon.

Ingredients for Grilling Salmon:

• 1 pound salmon fillets (4-6 ounces each)
• 1/4 cup olive oil or melted butter
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: garlic, firecracker, spicy maple, honey mustard

Tools for Grilling Salmon:

• Grill or grill pan
• Tongs
• Food thermometer
• Basting brush
• Optional: grilling basket, spatula, foil (for grilling salmon in foil)

How to Choose the Best Salmon for Grilling?

When choosing salmon for grilling, opt for thick center-cut fillets to ensure even cooking of all parts. Additionally, it is best to choose fillets with the skin still on, which only enhances flavor but also makes grilling easier. If you don’t want to eat the skin, you can easily removed it after grilling. In terms of wild or farmed salmon, if you prefer salmon with higher fat content and milder flavor, farmed salmon is a better choice, while wild salmon is leaner, has higher nutritional value, and is also more expensive. To learn different types of salmon, read: 6 Types of Salmon to Know

How to Marinate Salmon?

Marinating is one of the most important steps to grill juicy salmon, as it keeps the salmon moist and adds extra flavor. To make a simple marinate, mix the above-mentioned ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce and garlic in a bowl or a resealable bag. Then, fully submerge the salmon fillets and refrigerate them for 15 minutes. Avoid marinating for too long, as the citric acid can overly tenderize the salmon and make the finished salmon mushy.

How to Grill Salmon?

Step 1: Preheat your grill. Preheat the grill over medium-high heat, around 400°F. If you have a food thermometer like the INKBIRD IBT-26S, then simply clip the oven probe onto the grill grate to monitor the oven temperature.

 

Step 2: Oil the grill grates. Lightly grease the grill grates with a paper towel soaked in olive oil to prevent excess oil from causing flame and smoke.

Step 3: Grill the skin-side salmon first. Open the grill lid and place the skin-side salmon down. Then close the lid and let it cook for about 6-8 minutes, depending on the thickness.

Step 4: Flip only once to cook the other side. Carefully flip the salmon fillets with spatula or tongs to grill on the other side for an additional 4-6 minutes. The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of temperature of 145°F or flakes easily with a fork. By connecting the IBT-26S to the INKBIRD app, you can receive prompt reminders when the temperature reaches preset level.

 

Step 5: Let the salmon rest for 5 minutes and serve. Allow the fish to rest for 5 minutes before serving, which helps seal in the flavor and juices. The salmon will continue to cook during this process, so you remove it from the grill earlier or when it reaches 130°F in the thickest part. If you prefer your salmon medium-rare, then take it off when it reaches 120°F.

How to Grill Salmon in Foil?

If you have a large salmon fillet or just want to cook salmon more easily, then grilling salmon in foil is an excellent alternative. This allows steam inside to cook salmon evenly, making more juicy and flavorful.

Step 1: Prepare two large sheets of foil. Tear off two large sheets of aluminum foil. Make sure they completely cover your salmon fillets. Then spray or brush a light coating of olive oil on the foil to avoid the salmon from sticking while grilling.

Step 2: Place the salmon in the foil and wrap it up. Center the seasoned salmon on the foil, and brush with a little of remaining sauce. If you like, top with a few slices of fresh lemon or a few herbs. Seal the salmon with another sheet of foil, making sure to leave a small opening for steam to escape.

 

Step 3: Preheat your grill. As with direct grilling, you’ll need to preheat the grill to around 400°F.

Step 4: Grill the salmon in foil pack. Place the entire pack directly on the preheated grill, close the lid, and grill it for 14-18 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

How Long to Grill Salmon?

The general rule of thumb for grilling salmon is to cook the skin-side for about 6-8 minutes until crispy, then flip and cook the other side for 4-6 minutes. If grilling salmon foil, it usually takes 14-18 minutes. However, cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillet. To ensure doneness, using a meat thermometer is the best method.