Grilled Salmon With Thyme and Lemon

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
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Updated on 07/25/21
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 12 mins
Marinating Time: 30 mins
Total: 52 mins
Servings: 4 servings

This quick and easy ​grilled salmon recipe is infused with the delicious combination of lemon and thyme. If so inclined, you can use fresh herbs instead of dried. This recipe works well on both salmon fillets and salmon steaks.

This is a classic way to season salmon and it will blend well with a side dishes inspired by many different cuisines. It allows the flavor of the salmon to shine. For an extra burst of flavor, squeeze fresh lemon juice on the salmon just as it comes off the grill.

Grilled Salmon with Dill and Lemon
Sabrina S. Baksh/Regarding BBQ, Inc.

Ingredients

  • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets

  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, coarsely chopped

  • 1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

  • Lemon wedges, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. If the salmon is frozen, allow it to defrost in the refrigerator. 

  3. Combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, oil, thyme, garlic, and salt in a large resealable bag. Add the salmon and turn the fillets or steaks to coat them evenly.

  4. Seal the bag and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Do not allow it to marinate any longer as the salmon can become mushy.

  5. Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. Right before placing salmon on the grill, oil the grill grates well using large tongs, folded paper towels, and oil. Make several passes across the grates. This will help the fish from sticking and breaking apart.

  6. Remove the salmon from the bag and place on the hot grill. Brush salmon with marinade from the ziptop bag only once, at the start. Grill the salmon for about 4 to 6 minutes per side.

  7. Remove the salmon from the heat once the internal temperature of the fish reaches 145 F. The salmon should be light in color and flake easily through the thickest part.

  8. Optionally, squeeze fresh lemon over each fillet right before you take it off the grill.

  9. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • Serve the grilled salmon with your favorite sides. It is easy to grill vegetable skewers at the same time as the salmon, making a light and healthy meal. Rice also pairs well with grilled salmon.
  • Grilled salmon with lemon and thyme goes well with many varieties of white wine. Try sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, or an off-dry German riesling.
  • If you use the marinade to baste your salmon, do so only when you first put it on the grill. If you want to use it for a second basting after you turn the salmon, you should first bring the marinade to a boil to ensure any bacteria are killed. It's best to use a separate batch of marinade that has not been in contact with the raw salmon if you want to use it for basting grilled vegetables.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
417 Calories
28g Fat
2g Carbs
38g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 417
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 107mg 36%
Sodium 636mg 28%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 38g
Vitamin C 11mg 57%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 680mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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