This is my favorite easy and healthy salmon marinade recipe. I bet you’ll love it too after you try it. There are so many reasons I love it. It’s slightly sweet, slightly savory, majorly flavorful, and super simple. It takes minutes. It’s my best salmon marinade for grilled salmon, but it’s also awesome for baked salmon or seared salmon. You can literally use it with any cooking method. Lately, my favorite way is actually for my crispy air fried salmon!.
Grilled salmon is a quick, easy, and healthy dinner option that always satisfies. Getting perfect grill marks and flaky, moist salmon takes just a little prep But does salmon really need to be soaked or marinated before hitting the grill?
Marinating isn’t required, but it can make grilled salmon taste and feel much better. This article talks about why you should marinate salmon, the best marinades to try, and extra grilling tips that will make sure you always have perfect salmon.
Why Bother Marinating Salmon?
Marinating gives grilled salmon some key benefits
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More water—The acidic parts of marinades, like lemon juice or vinegar, break down proteins on the salmon’s surface chemically. This helps the fish keep its moisture better while it’s cooking, so it doesn’t dry out on the grill.
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Extra flavor – Marinating salmon allows it to soak up extra flavor from aromatic ingredients like herbs, spices, garlic, etc. This adds another layer of taste.
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Tenderized texture – Acidic marinades also slightly break down the proteins in the salmon, helpingtenderize the surface for a smoother texture.
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Caramelized outside—The salt and sugar in the marinades help the salmon get a tasty caramelized char on the outside when it’s grilled.
So while an unmarinated salmon fillet is just fine, taking the time to marinate can bring your grilled salmon from good to great.
How Long to Marinate Salmon
Salmon does not need prolonged marinating like larger cuts of meat. The marinade only penetrates the surface proteins, not the interior flesh. Marinating salmon for just 10 minutes up to 2 hours is sufficient depending on your desired depth of flavor.
Here are general salmon marinating times:
- 10-30 minutes – Quick light flavor infusion
- 1-2 hours – Thorough flavor absorption
- Overnight – Maximum depth of flavor
Salmon should not marinate much longer than overnight or the acid can start to break down the texture too much. For most weeknight grilling, a 10 minute quick marinade is enough to impart lots of extra taste.
The Best Marinades for Grilled Salmon
Salmon pairs deliciously with bright, fresh ingredients that cut through its rich fattiness. Citrus juices, herbs, garlic, spices, and olive oil make fantastic salmon marinades. Here are some easy go-to combinations:
Lemon-Herb Marinade
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Chopped fresh dill or parsley
- Garlic
- Salt & pepper
Soy-Ginger Marinade
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar or lime juice
- Grated ginger
- Brown sugar
- Garlic & chili flakes
Mediterranean Marinade
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Chopped olives
- Garlic & shallots
- Oregano & basil
Spicy Sriracha Marinade
- Soy sauce
- Lime juice
- Sriracha
- Brown sugar
- Cilantro & garlic
Indian Spice Marinade
- Plain yogurt
- Lime juice
- Curry powder
- Cumin & garlic
- Cilantro
Marinating Tips for Perfect Salmon
To get the most out of a salmon marinade, follow these simple tips:
- Pat salmon dry before marinating so the marinade can better adhere to the surface.
- Use a non-reactive dish like glass or stainless steel (not aluminum). Acids in the marinade can react with reactive metals.
- Flip the salmon halfway through marinating to evenly coat both sides.
- Reserve a bit of marinade to brush over the salmon just before serving for an extra flavor boost.
Once your salmon is marinated, it’s ready to hit the hot grill!
Grilling Tips for Moist, Flaky Salmon
Cooking salmon perfectly on the grill takes just a little technique. Follow these tips for tender salmon with a caramelized crust every time:
1. Use Skin-On Fillets
The fatty salmon skin helps protect the delicate flesh from drying out or sticking to the grill grates. Cook skin-side down first.
2. Oil the Grates
Lightly brushing or rubbing the hot grill grates with oil prevents sticking. The salmon will release cleanly.
3. Flip Just Once
Resist the urge to move the salmon too much. Let it cook undisturbed until ready to flip.
4. Cook Hot and Fast
Cook over high direct heat for 2-5 minutes per side. The high heat caramelizes the exterior while keeping the interior moist.
5. Rest Before Serving
Let the salmon rest off direct heat for 5 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute through the flesh.
Avoid These Common Grilling Mistakes
To prevent dried-out salmon, steer clear of these grilling errors:
- Cooking over low heat that steams rather than sears
- Grilling with the lid down which traps moisture
- Turning the salmon too frequently which cools heat
- Pressing down on the fish while cooking
- Skipping a rest period after cooking
With the right marinade and a hot, fast cooking technique, you will be enjoying tender, flaky grilled salmon in no time!
Frequently Asked Questions About Marinating Salmon
Still have some questions about getting the most flavor out of marinated grilled salmon? Here are answers to some common FAQs:
Should salmon marinade have oil?
Yes, adding 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or other neutral oil to the marinade helps evenly coat the salmon and carry other flavorful ingredients.
Can I reuse leftover marinade?
Do not reuse any extra marinade after soaking raw salmon unless you boil it for at least 1 minute first to kill bacteria. Discard used marinade to be safe.
What temperature should I cook salmon to on the grill?
Cook salmon until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F. The fish should be opaque and flake easily.
How do I prevent grill marks on my salmon?
If you want to avoid distinct grill marks, coat the hot grates with more oil to keep the salmon from sticking. Gently move the fish rather than pressing down as it cooks.
Should I put sauce on salmon before or after grilling?
Wait until after grilling to brush on any sauce glazes. Sauces with sugar will likely burn if applied before cooking. Brush on just at the end for caramelized flavor.
Make Grilled Salmon a Simple, Delicious Meal
Try switching up your usual plain grilled salmon with a flavor-packed marinade next time. In just 10-60 minutes, you can infuse salmon fillets with so much more depth of taste to liven up a weeknight dinner or impress guests.
Experiment with global spice blends, fresh herbs, citrus, garlic, and other aromatic ingredients to marinate salmon right at home. Then cook the fish hot and fast over the grill for the ideal texture. Let these marinating and grilling tips open up new possibilities for enjoying tender, flaky, full-flavored salmon off the barbecue any night of the week.
Why You’ll Love My Salmon Marinade Recipe
- Maple flavor that is a little sweet and savory. Yes, this marinade still has the lemon, garlic, and herbs that I usually use. If you’re sick of the same old thing, try my salmon marinade! It’s sweet, which makes it completely new, and it caramelizes a bit when you cook the fish. It’s amazing!
- makes salmon flaky and moist. This fish is already rich and buttery, but marinating it makes it taste even better and keep it moist. Worth it.
- It’s quick and easy to make this marinade. All you need are six simple ingredients and salt and pepper. You can also cook the fish quickly because it doesn’t need to be marinated for too long.
- Works for all salmon recipes—my marinade makes salmon taste better no matter how you cook it. I haven’t tried a method that doesn’t work with this yet.
- Useful for many things—This marinade is great for salmon, but you can also use it on other proteins. It goes well with rainbow trout, cod, and most other flaky fish. I’ve even baked pork chops with it instead of the marinade I usually use.
This part talks about how to pick the best ingredients for marinating salmon, what each one does in my recipe, and what you can use instead. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Olive Oil – This is the base. I chose extra virgin olive oil for its fruity flavor. For a more neutral taste, olive oil or avocado oil will work.
- The star of my salmon marinade is maple syrup. I usually use Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup, which tastes like real maple syrup but doesn’t have any sugar in it. I also tried the recipe with regular maple syrup, and it works just fine. You can also use honey (or my honey with no sugar) instead.
- Lemon Juice: The acid in the juice helps the salmon get tender, and the sour taste of citrus goes well with fish. You can use lime juice, orange juice, or bottled juice if you don’t have fresh lemons. If you like things extra sweet, you can also use orange juice. I think you should use a little less maple syrup if you use orange juice, since it’s already pretty sweet. ).
- Fresh Herbs: I used parsley and dill because they taste good with fish in the summer. Look for bright, leafy herbs that aren’t turning yellow. Dark green will have the most flavor. In a pinch, you could use dried herbs instead of fresh ones (about one-third as much), but fresh herbs are better for salmon.
- Garlic – Because I add it to everything. To save time, use fresh minced garlic or garlic from a jar.
- Salt from the sea If you want more heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
Flavor Variations:
For salmon, I think this version with maple syrup is one of the best. But you can also try these other versions I’ve tried:
- Asian: Leave out the fresh herbs and use honey instead of maple syrup. You can use low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos. You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger and paprika.
- Do not use maple syrup in this recipe. Instead, add 1/3 cup of lemon juice and 2 to 3 extra garlic cloves. You can also grate some fresh lemon zest and add a teaspoon or two.
What To Serve With Salmon
I usually serve my marinated salmon with a light side dish. Here are some of my favorite options:
