How to Grill Salmon

There are so many delicious grilled salmon recipe out there, but have you ever wondered about the basics of how to make salmon on the grill?  This simple tutorial will teach you how to grill salmon so that you can get a healthy simple meal on the table with little effort!

When I talk with friends and family about fish, they tend to tell me they either don’t “like” it or would only order it at a restaurant.  In either case, I think it all comes down to not knowing how easy it can be to cook it the right way at home.  Cooking fish can be a little intimidating if you’ve never done it before, and if you’ve had a bad experience with how someone else has made it, then you might just think you don’t like it.  But rest assured, I’m going to show you how to grill salmon in a simple and easy way so that you will finally add salmon to your weekly menu at home!

Now, if grilling is not your thing, no worries!! I’ve also got a guide on how to cook salmon in the oven!

How to cook salmon on the grill:

While there are many recipes with all kinds of delicious sauces, this recipe is going to be really simple so that you can cook a delicious piece of salmon without stress.  I’m going to share a few of my favorite tips that I’ve learned over the years.

• leave the skin on – no need to stress over taking it off as it will actually help keep the fish from burning and will easily come off when done cooking
• a little oil and seasoning blend is all you really need for a basic and delicious fish dinner
• always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, you don’t want overcooked or undercooked fish
• many people cook salmon over high heat on the grill, but I prefer to keep it around 350-400 degrees so that I don’t end up cooking it to fast and burning it or drying it out

Most common questions about cooking salmon:

Do I need to flip the salmon on the grill?

Nope! There’s no need, especially if you are worried about it sticking.  However, if you would like grill marks then you can flip it to the non-skin side for a minute or two at the end.

What is the white stuff that show up on my salmon when I cook it?

That’s just the proteins from the meat.  If it bothers you, check out this article to learn more about how brining the fish might help.

How do you know when salmon is fully cooked?

It should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees.  The best investment you will make in grilling (besides the grill) is a meat thermometer.  It’s the only way to know for sure.  Several years ago I took a grilling class and learned that the fish should be cooked to a firmness similar to the the skin on your hand if you stretch out your forefinger and thumb, but I think the thermometer is a lot easier and more accurate.

Is salmon good for grilling?

Yes!! Its a good fish to start cooking at home because of it’s universally enjoyed flavor.  And it’s good for grilling because of it’s firmer texture so it’s a little more forgiving.

I hope you’ve found this guide on grilling salmon helpful, but please do let me know if you have questions by leaving a comment below!! Happy grilling!

And once you’ve mastered the basics of grilled salmon, and you’re ready to take it to the next level, be sure to check out my recipes for Korean BBQ Grilled Salmon and Blackened Smoked Salmon with Peach Salsa!