Easy Lemon Grilled Salmon with Garlic Herb Butter

I have to be honest with you, for years, I was afraid to grill salmon. My fish would always stick to the grates or it would turn out so dry. I was determined to figure out how to grill salmon perfectly! This Lemon Grilled Salmon recipe has my foolproof trick (hint: it's all about a hot, clean, oiled grate!) that guarantees juicy grilled salmon that never sticks.

Easy Lemon Grilled Salmon on a modern white plate, showcasing golden grilled crust and melted garlic herb butter over lemon slices.

This delicious, healthy Grilled Salmon recipe with Lemon Garlic Butter is ready in less than 30 minutes to make and is packed with flavor! Lemon grilled salmon is one of the quickest and easiest 21 Day Fix dinner recipes that works for any night of the week. The lemon garlic herb marinade creates perfectly seasoned, flaky fish every single time.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Lemon Grilled Salmon
Ingredients for Lemon Grilled Salmon
How to Make Lemon Grilled Salmon
My Top Tips for Lemon Grilled Salmon
Making Lemon Grilled Salmon with My Family
Substitutions for Lemon Grilled Salmon
Variations on Lemon Grilled Salmon
Equipment for Lemon Grilled Salmon
Storage Tips for Lemon Grilled Salmon
Adam's Tip for Lemon Grilled Salmon
FAQ about Lemon Grilled Salmon
Conclusion
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Pairing
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Why You'll Love This Lemon Grilled Salmon

Quick and easy: This easy lemon grilled salmon has a quick-easy grilling time of just 3 to 5 minutes per side, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Healthy and flavorful: Grilled to perfection, this Grilled Honey Lemon Salmon is light and flaky, the ideal warm summer night dinner that's packed with protein and omega-3s.
Versatile: Whether you make it as lemon grilled salmon in foil or directly on the grill, this week-night healthy grilled salmon always turns out perfectly.

Ingredients for Lemon Grilled Salmon

This simple lemon grilled salmon recipe uses fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley) and a bright lemon garlic herb marinade to create restaurant-quality fish at home. The herb-butter topping melts over the hot salmon for incredible flavor. You can use wild Alaskan salmon fillets for the best quality and taste.

What You'll Need

Ingredients for easy lemon grilled salmon including fresh salmon fillets lemon garlic herbs butter olive oil marinade set..

For the Salmon:

4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each, skin-on or skinless)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Lemon Garlic Marinade:

¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
2 tablespoons lemon zest
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon honey (optional)

For the Herb Butter Topping:

4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 clove garlic, minced
Pinch of salt

For Serving:

Lemon wedges
Fresh herbs for garnish
Grilled vegetables or asparagus

Why These Ingredients Matter

Skin-on vs skinless fillets: Skin-on fillets are easier to flip on the grill and the skin gets crispy, but skinless works great too if you prefer it.
Fresh lemon zested and juiced: Using both zest and juice gives you maximum lemon flavor without making the fish too acidic.
Fresh herbs: The combination of thyme, rosemary, and parsley creates a complex, aromatic flavor that complements the salmon perfectly.

How to Make Lemon Grilled Salmon

Step-by-Step Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, olive oil, and honey to create the marinade.
Place salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour half of the marinade over them. Reserve the other half for basting.
Let the salmon marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
While the salmon marinates, make the herb butter by mixing softened butter with parsley, lemon zest, garlic, and salt. Set aside.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Remove salmon from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Brush the salmon with about half of the lemon pepper mixture and place it skin side up on grill (if using skin-on fillets).
This lemon garlic salmon needs to be grilled for about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Note that the salmon grill time may vary depending on thickness.
Flip carefully using a wide spatula and grill for another 3 to 5 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
During the last minute of cooking, brush with reserved marinade and top with a dollop of herb butter.
Remove from grill and let rest for 2 minutes before serving with lemon wedges.

Hint: For lemon grilled salmon in foil, place the marinated salmon on a large piece of heavy-duty foil, fold up the sides, and grill for 10 to 12 minutes without flipping.

My Top Tips for Lemon Grilled Salmon

Don't overcook the salmon. The fish is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and flakes easily with a fork. It's better to slightly undercook it than overcook it, as salmon continues to cook a bit after you remove it from the grill. The herb-butter topping should melt perfectly over the hot fish, creating a luxurious sauce. This attention to detail is similar to what we use with our Hawaiian chicken sheet pan, where proper timing makes all the difference.

Making Lemon Grilled Salmon with My Family

Last weekend, Adam helped me prepare this lemon grilled salmon for a family dinner. He was in charge of zesting the lemons and asked, "Why do we use the peel too?" I explained that the zest has all the lemon oils that make the flavor really pop. He nodded seriously and kept grating.

When we sat down to eat, Adam tried the salmon and said, "This doesn't taste fishy at all. It just tastes like lemon and butter." Grandma Viola, who joined us for dinner, tried hers and said, "Grilled salmon with lemon garlic sauce is sure to please any palate. This is restaurant-quality. I can't believe you made this so quickly."

Substitutions for Lemon Grilled Salmon

Fish: Use trout, arctic char, or even thick white fish like halibut or mahi-mahi if salmon isn't available.
Herbs: Try dill, basil, or cilantro if you don't have thyme and rosemary on hand.
Citrus: Swap lemon for lime or orange for a different citrus twist on the marinade.
Butter: Use ghee or olive oil instead of butter for a dairy-free herb-infused grilled salmon version.

Variations on Lemon Grilled Salmon

Honey lemon: Make grilled honey lemon salmon by increasing the honey to 2 tablespoons for a sweeter glaze.
Lemon pepper: Try lemon pepper salmon grilled by using lemon pepper seasoning in place of fresh herbs for a simpler version.
Olive Garden style: Create herb grilled salmon olive garden inspired by adding Italian herbs like oregano and basil. Check out this grilled salmon recipe for more grilling inspiration.

Equipment for Lemon Grilled Salmon

Gas or charcoal grill: Either works great, but make sure the grates are clean and well-oiled to prevent sticking.
Wide fish spatula: Essential for flipping delicate salmon fillets without breaking them apart.
Instant-read thermometer: Takes the guesswork out of knowing when the salmon is perfectly cooked.
Basting brush: For applying marinade and oil to the fish during grilling.

Storage Tips for Lemon Grilled Salmon

Refrigerator: Store leftover grilled salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It's delicious cold in salads or reheated gently.
Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Warm gently in a 275°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or enjoy cold on top of salads or grain bowls.

This week-night healthy grilled salmon is perfect for easy summer meals and winter dinner recipes alike. The lemon butter salmon pairs beautifully with our cheesy garlic chicken wraps when you want variety in your weekly meals, or serve it as part of friendsgiving food spread.

Adam's Tip for Lemon Grilled Salmon

"Don't skip the butter on top. That's what makes it taste really good. Also, if you're scared of flipping it, just use foil. It's easier and you can't mess it up."

FAQ about Lemon Grilled Salmon

How do you grill salmon on a lemon?

To grill salmon on a lemon, slice lemons into thick rounds and place them directly on the grill grates, then place the salmon on top of the lemon slices. The lemons prevent sticking and infuse the fish with citrus flavor as it cooks. For this lemon grilled salmon marinade recipe, you can also add lemon slices under and around the fish. The lemon zested and juiced marinade combined with grilling on lemon slices creates maximum lemon flavor.

Do you grill salmon directly on the grill or in foil?

Both methods work! Grilling salmon directly on the grill creates beautiful grill marks and a slightly crispy exterior with quick-easy grilling time of 3 to 5 minutes per side. Lemon grilled salmon in foil is easier for beginners and prevents sticking, taking about 10 to 12 minutes total without flipping. For skin-on vs skinless fillets, skin-on works better directly on the grill, while skinless is perfect in foil.

What does lemon do to raw salmon?

Lemon juice acts as a mild acid that begins to "cook" or denature the proteins in raw salmon, similar to ceviche. This is why you shouldn't marinate salmon in lemon juice for more than 2 hours, or the texture becomes mushy. The lemon garlic herb marinade in this recipe uses the right balance of acid to flavor the fish without over-tenderizing it. The lemon zested and juiced combination provides flavor without overwhelming the delicate salmon.

What is a good sauce for grilled salmon?

The best sauces for grilled salmon include lemon butter sauce, dill cream sauce, garlic aioli, or honey mustard glaze. For this simple lemon grilled salmon, the herb-butter topping melts into a luxurious sauce. You can also try lemon butter grilled salmon with capers, or make a grilled salmon with lemon and garlic cream sauce. The key is choosing sauces that complement rather than overpower the fish's natural flavor.

Conclusion

Now you're in on the secret to grilling salmon with total confidence! I hope this simple trick helps you say goodbye to grilling fears forever and hello to perfectly flaky, delicious salmon every single time. This Lemon Grilled Salmon with its lemon garlic herb marinade and herb-butter topping creates a week-night healthy grilled salmon that's foolproof.

This simple lemon grilled salmon is perfect for easy summer meals and healthy food dishes any time of year. Whether you make it as lemon grilled salmon in foil or directly on the grill, it's always a winner. If you're looking for more grilled salmon recipes, try our sweet Hawaiian crockpot chicken or smashburger quesadillas. Let me know how your lemon butter salmon turns out! Enjoy.

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Pairing

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