Fresh Lemon Herb Grilled Salmon
A quick and easy grilled salmon recipe featuring fresh lemon juice and garden herbs for juicy, flaky, and flavorful fish perfect for summer BBQs and family dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each, skin-on for best grilling)
- Fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon, about 3 tablespoons)
- Olive oil (3 tablespoons, extra virgin recommended)
- Fresh garlic (2 cloves, minced)
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped)
- Fresh dill (1 tablespoon, chopped)
- Fresh thyme (1 teaspoon, chopped)
- Salt (to taste, about ½ teaspoon)
- Black pepper (freshly ground, about ¼ teaspoon)
- Optional: smoked paprika (½ teaspoon)
Instructions
- Prep the marinade: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dill, thyme, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). This should take about 5 minutes.
- Marinate the salmon: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the salmon, making sure each fillet is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes. Don’t marinate longer than 30 minutes; the lemon’s acidity can start to “cook” the fish.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high (about 375°F/190°C). Oil the grill grates lightly to prevent sticking. This usually takes 10 minutes.
- Grill the salmon: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down on the grill. Grill for 4–5 minutes without moving—this helps form a nice crust and keeps the skin crispy.
- Flip carefully: Using a fish spatula or tongs, gently flip the fillets. Grill for another 3–4 minutes for medium doneness (salmon should flake easily but still be moist). Adjust time depending on thickness.
- Check doneness: If you have a meat thermometer, check for an internal temp of 125°F (52°C). If not, test by gently flaking with a fork—the fish should separate easily but still feel tender.
- Rest before serving: Remove salmon from the grill and let rest for 3 minutes. This lets juices redistribute, keeping the flakes juicy.
Notes
Do not marinate salmon longer than 30 minutes to avoid mushy texture. Use skin-on fillets for moisture and crispiness. Preheat and oil grill grates well to prevent sticking. Flip salmon only once. Let salmon rest 3 minutes after grilling for juicy flakes. If no grill available, bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes or pan-sear in a hot skillet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz (170 g) salmon
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 34
Keywords: grilled salmon, lemon herb salmon, easy salmon recipe, summer BBQ, healthy dinner, juicy salmon, flaky salmon, paleo salmon, gluten-free salmon