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Grilled Salmon topped with Avocado Salsa.
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Foolproof Grilled Salmon (Moist + Flaky!)

Perfectly moist and flaky grilled salmon with a simple spice rub and optional fresh herb drizzle. Ready in 10 minutes with minimal effort.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: grilled salmon, Grilled salmon recipe, How to grill salmon
Servings: 4
Author: Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

Ingredients

For the Salmon

  • 4 salmon fillets 5 to 6 oz each, skin on or off
  • 1½ tbsp olive oil
  • 1¼ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika

Optional Herb Drizzle

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill and/or parsley
  • ⅛ tsp kosher salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Clean the grates well, then oil them using tongs and a paper towel dipped in oil.
  • Pat salmon dry. Brush with olive oil on all sides. Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over each fillet.

For Skin-On Fillets

  • Place fillets skin-side down on the grill. Close lid and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, without flipping, until the thickest part reaches 125 to 130°F and flakes easily.

For Skinless Fillets

  • Reduce grill to medium heat instead of medium-high. Spray or dab the fillets with oil on both sides generously (on top of the spices) and cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, flipping once, until the thickest part reaches 125 to 130°F and flakes easily. .
    Rest 2 minutes before serving.

Make the herb drizzle (optional):

  • Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt in a bowl. Stir in chopped herbs. Drizzle over grilled salmon just before serving.

Notes

Skin-on Fillets (Recommended): Skin protects the delicate flesh from overcooking and helps prevent sticking. No need to flip.
Temperature: For moist, flaky salmon, aim for an internal temperature of 125 to 130°F. 
Don't Force It: If the salmon sticks when you try to lift it, it's not ready. Wait another 30 seconds and try again.
Storage: Store leftover grilled salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 875mg | Potassium: 850mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg