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How To Make The Best Grilled Salmon

Perfect salmon grilling guide for crispy skin and tender, flaky flesh using simple oil, lemon, garlic, salt, and pepper. This foolproof recipe grills skin-side down without moving, then flips only once for doneness at 145°F.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
marinating 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salmon fillets
  • 4 salmon fillets skin-on, about 6 oz each
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 garlic minced, about 2 cloves
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh dill
  • lemon wedges

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Marinate the salmon
  1. Pat salmon dry, then brush it with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic so the surface is evenly coated. You should see a thin glossy layer on the fillets.
  2. Season the salmon generously with salt and pepper, then let it sit for 15 minutes at room temperature. The surface will look slightly moist as the seasoning hydrates.
Grill for crispy skin
  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high and oil the grates well to prevent sticking. The grates should feel hot enough to sizzle instantly when salmon touches them.
  2. Place salmon skin-side down on the grill and grill for 6-8 minutes without moving. The skin should turn crisp and release easily at the edges.
  3. Carefully flip the salmon and grill for 2-3 minutes more until desired doneness, reaching 145°F for medium. The center should look opaque and flake with gentle pressure.
Serve
  1. Serve the grilled salmon immediately with fresh dill and lemon wedges. The dill should be bright green and the lemon should look juicy for squeezing over the top.

Notes

For maximum crisp skin, keep the fillets skin-side down and don’t move them until the edges release. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat gently (low heat) to avoid drying. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. If you want a lower-sodium option, use a reduced-salt seasoning blend instead of adding extra salt.