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Best Grilled Salmon Recipe and Marinade

4.43
/5
40 mins
52 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 08/20/2018Updated: 06/14/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This is the best grilled salmon recipe! The marinade makes the fish so flavorful and it’s ridiculously easy to make! The perfect healthy dinner - it's going to become your go-to salmon recipe! #grilling #salmon #marinade #easy
This is the best grilled salmon recipe! The marinade makes the fish so flavorful and it's ridiculously easy to make! It's going to become your go-to salmon recipe!

This is the best grilled salmon recipe! The marinade makes the fish so flavorful and it’s ridiculously easy to make! It’s going to become your go-to salmon recipe!

Two fillets of grilled salmon topped with green onion.

I’m a creature of habit…I get stuck in ruts. Many people, after they find out about Rachel Cooks, have made comments about how well we must eat…gourmet food every night!

It’s not exactly the case. I have my go-to recipes and more often than not, I’m whipping up something we’ve had before and something that takes 30 minutes or less to make. Sure, I love to develop new recipes to share with you guys, but our life is just as busy as anyone else’s, so sometimes it’s just a matter of speed and making something everyone likes. Well, everyone except N because that kid still likes NOTHING.

We have salmon about every other week and my lemon salmon with dill recipe is my go-to. Ben loves it, I like it, it’s healthy and it’s so easy. We both LOVE the walnut crusted salmon and Parmesan and almond crusted salmon but since the kids are allergic to tree nuts, that’s obviously not a recipe that’s in regular rotation.

I’ve been wanting to try out a new salmon recipe on the grill, so when Traeger sent me one of their beautiful grills (which I instantly fell in love with…seriously…I think Ben is a little jealous), salmon had to happen.

Traeger Grill Close Up with smoke coming out of it

I’m antsy and can’t wait until the end of the post to share the verdict…we love this salmon! We’re deeming it the best grilled salmon recipe – the marinade is irresistible, the salmon stays so moist (sorry for using that word, but it does!), and the Traeger grill gives it the most amazing flavor.

So you might be wondering what the heck a Traeger is and what is so special about it. Besides a dream come true, it’s also a wood pellet grill. I’m sure you’re familiar with grills that run on gas or charcoal. This one is powered by wood pellets.

What’s so great about that? F-L-A-V-O-R. Not only does the wood impart a mouthwatering smoked flavor, but it also gives you versatility. You can choose Apple wood (great for pork!), Hickory, Mesquite, Pecan, Cherry, Maple, or an all-purpose and less flavorful (but still wonderful!) wood like Alder – you can even bake in the grill using a wood like Alder. 

Two fillets of grilled salmon topped with green onion.

So far on my Traeger I’ve made ribs, pulled pork (twice!), this salmon (three times!), chicken using this honey mustard chicken marinade, and pizza. Honestly, you guys, Ben and I are both blown away by how good everything tastes on this grill. It’s an investment compared to your typical gas or charcoal grill, but after trying it, I’d totally spend the money on it myself.

Another great thing about a Traeger grill is that it has a thermostat so you don’t have to babysit it. The pork shoulder for the pulled pork needs to cook slowly for over 16 hours, so it’s great to know that it is being kept at the correct temperature while I sleep!

Now, I will say, you don’t need a Traeger grill to make this salmon recipe, but it will take the flavor to the next level.

Two fillets of grilled salmon topped with green onion.

Ingredients needed

This salmon marinade is a flavor powerhouse and you don’t have to let the salmon soak in it for very long at all! In fact, I usually just marinate it while I’m preheating my grill and that gives this salmon all the flavor it needs. Here’s what’s in the marinade!

  • Soy Sauce (I like to use the reduced sodium variety)
  • Olive Oil
  • Fresh Ginger
  • Garlic
  • Dark Brown Sugar

This marinade is so flavorful and so simple to make. It’s the perfect sweet and savory combination and goes great with the grilled salmon.

Salmon flaked with a fork to show texture.

My best tip for Grilling Salmon

Grilling salmon can be a little tricky. The flaky fish has the tendency to fall apart on the grill if you’re not careful.

My best tip is to start cooking it skin side up.

Sear for 3-4 minutes to get those beautiful grill marks on your fish before carefully flipping and cooking the remainder of the time skin side down. This allows you to have the amazing flavor the grill imparts without your fish falling through the grates. No one wins in that situation! Use this method and you’ll have 100% success with this best grilled salmon recipe.

An alternative method for grilling salmon is to wrap it in foil. I love garlicky grilled salmon which is wrapped securely in a foil packet. 

If you’re looking for more salmon recipes, this baked salmon is one of my absolute faves! Only 5 ingredients! We also love soy glazed salmon. And if you have an air fryer, be sure to try air fryer salmon. You won’t believe how great it turns out!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Two fillets of grilled salmon topped with green onion.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Best Grilled Salmon Recipe and Marinade

4.43 from 194 votes
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
6 servings
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This is the best grilled salmon recipe! The marinade makes the fish so flavorful and it's ridiculously easy to make! It's going to become your go-to salmon recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1- inch section of fresh ginger root, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 2 pounds salmon, cut into fillets

Instructions

  • Mix together marinade ingredients in a baking dish: soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. Add salmon fillets skin side up into the marinade and place in the fridge for 15-45 minutes.
  • When ready to grill, start your Traeger grill on Smoke with the lid open until you see smoke appear (takes 3-5 minutes). Set the temperature to 350°F and preheat with the lid closed for 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove salmon from marinade and place skin side up on grill. Cover (close the lid of the grill) and cook for 4 minutes. Flip carefully using a spatula. Cook for 20-25 minutes longer until fish is flaky. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • You can halve this recipe to serve 2-3 people.
  • If you don’t have a Traeger grill, this can be prepared on a gas or charcoal grill over medium heat (350°F) as directed in recipe.
  • This salmon is great leftover – I love to flake the cold salmon on a leafy green salad.
  • Nutrition information calculated for only half of the marinade since much of it is discarded.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 262kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 60mg, Sodium: 701mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
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Disclosure: Traeger sent me a grill to try out but I was not monetarily compensated for developing this recipe or writing this post. All opinions are ALWAYS my own! 

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  1. Rowena Beckett says

    August 10, 2020 at 11:04 pm

    Made this on the BBQ when my parents came for dinner, they’re still talking  about how good it was a week later. Definitely a recipe to keep!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 12, 2020 at 11:01 pm

      I’m so glad it was a hit! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, it means so much!

      Reply
  2. Anna says

    August 9, 2020 at 11:22 am

    My daughter refused to eat salmon…until I tried this recipe! Now, she asks for it all the time! Thanks!!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 10, 2020 at 11:20 am

      Oh wow, that’s great! Thanks for letting me know, so glad she likes it!

      Reply
  3. Kathy says

    July 9, 2020 at 9:50 pm

    This is amazing! My second time making it :-)

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      July 10, 2020 at 10:38 am

      So glad you like it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

      Reply
  4. Manal says

    June 4, 2020 at 12:47 am

    Made this today! It was my first time grilling salmon, and not only was it easy to prepare, it was delicious! Thank you for the easy and delish recipe :) 

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      June 6, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      So glad it was a great experience for you! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

      Reply
  5. Sue Chalfant says

    April 22, 2020 at 6:30 pm

    This is go to recipe for salmon now; usually have at least once every couple weeks. Delicious and so easy! Thanks for sharing your recipe!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 24, 2020 at 8:26 am

      So glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment, it means a lot to me!

      Reply
  6. Julie Henricksen says

    July 18, 2019 at 11:30 am

    I just made this recipe last night.  It was a HUGE hit.  My hubby is not a fish fan, however he devoured this with high praise and asked me to put this on our regular rotation.  With this high praise I am making it for a dinner party this weekend.  A couple of changes I made; I used coconut aminos in place of soy sauce and 1/2 brown sugar and 1/2 honey. I do not cook by time,  but by internal temp of 135. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      July 18, 2019 at 1:32 pm

      That’s so great! I’m so glad you both liked it, thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!

      Reply
  7. Zach says

    July 5, 2019 at 12:46 am

    Try honey instead of the brown sugar.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      July 5, 2019 at 9:35 am

      That would be tasty!

      Reply
  8. Cindy says

    June 16, 2019 at 12:11 am

    This is exactly what I’be been looking for! Thank you so much. Salmon is my favorite so I’m really excited about this new marinade. I’ll be cooking tomorrow so I’ll let you know. I have zero doubt this will be delicious. I can’t wait. Again, thank you for the recipe. I don’t have the new grill so I’ll be using my Weber Gas Grill. I’ll likely be shopping for the new grill you recommend as I adore the wood flavor with is totally lost of these gas grills. ❤️

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      June 16, 2019 at 1:49 pm

      I hope you love it!!!

      Reply
  9. Amaranth says

    June 15, 2019 at 9:49 am

    This is an excellent grilled salmon recipe. I prepared the marinade exactly as written. After 4 minutes skin side up and 18 minutes skin side down on a gas grill, it was cooked perfectly. Guests raved about it.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      June 15, 2019 at 1:56 pm

      I’m so glad to hear that! There isn;t anything better than guests raving about something you cooked! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment, it means a lot to me!

      Reply
  10. Denice says

    May 21, 2019 at 1:23 pm

    This was a great change up… My boyfriend is an executive chef so cooking for him can be a bit intimidating, but this was 100% spot on… Thanks so much!!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      May 25, 2019 at 9:51 am

      Oh I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

      Reply
  11. Alissa says

    September 11, 2018 at 1:19 pm

    Found It!!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      September 15, 2018 at 7:13 am

      Woohoo! I hope you love it :) xo

      Reply
  12. denise says

    August 26, 2018 at 6:53 pm

    sounds delicious.

    I know how easy it is to become a creature of habit when preparing meals for the family

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 27, 2018 at 4:58 am

      It really is! It’s always fun to mix it up though.

      Reply
  13. Bonnie says

    August 20, 2018 at 5:40 pm

    Yummy! You could add curry powder to the marinade for a variation. I often use this type of marinade and bake the salmon at 425 degrees. You’d miss the delicious smoked flavor though.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 21, 2018 at 9:16 pm

      It would work really well in the oven, but you’re right, that smoked flavor is what really makes this amazing! I like the addition of curry powder!

      Reply
    • Barry Taylor says

      November 22, 2019 at 8:37 am

      Hi, Bonnie.
      I typically make this on my Big Green Egg but would love to know a.) how long you bake it for (generally), and b.) what kind of curry powder you use.
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Bonnie McGinnis says

        November 22, 2019 at 1:23 pm

        I generally bake my salmon for about 20 minutes at 425 degrees F. It does depend on how thick the fillet is. I use my instant read thermometer to make sure the center of the fillet reaches 145 degrees.
        I get my curry powder from Penzey’s and I alternate between the mild curry and the hot, depending what mood I’m in. I mix it with a little soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup or brown sugar, and salt. Just spread it on the salmon before you bake it. If you have little extra time, let it marinate, with the sauce on top, before baking it. Hope that helps!

        Reply
  14. Julia Mueller says

    August 20, 2018 at 1:27 pm

    I’m totally a creature of habit when it comes to my meals too…I find a few recipes I enjoy that are quick and easy and I put them on repeat, lol! This salmon looks absolutely heavenly!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 21, 2018 at 9:17 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  15. Nan Strain says

    August 20, 2018 at 10:13 am

    i coat my grill first with non stick spray or oil, then i coat my fish with little olive oil.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      August 21, 2018 at 9:20 pm

      That works really well too!

      Reply
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