Lemon Thyme Grilled Salmon (Printable Version)
Fresh salmon grilled with lemon, thyme, and garlic for a light 22-minute meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fish
01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
05 - 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish (optional)
09 - Lemon wedges
10 - Extra fresh thyme sprigs
# How to Make It:
01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper to make the marinade.
02 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place them in a shallow dish or resealable bag.
03 - Pour the marinade over the salmon, turning to coat evenly. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes at room temperature.
04 - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Oil the grates to prevent sticking.
05 - Place salmon fillets skin-side down (if skin-on) on the grill. Grill for 4–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Remove from grill. Rest for 2 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and extra thyme if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lemon and thyme combination transforms ordinary salmon into something that feels like a restaurant dish but takes less than 25 minutes
- Its nearly impossible to mess up, even if youre new to grilling fish, and the flavors work with practically any side dishes
02 -
- I once marinated salmon overnight and ended up with mushy fish because the acid broke down the proteins too much, so stick to 15 minutes maximum
- If your salmon has skin, grill it skin-side down first and don't try to flip it until the skin releases naturally from the grates
03 -
- Preheat your grill for at least 10 minutes before adding the salmon, and oil the grates right before cooking for the best non-stick results
- If you don't have a grill, a grill pan over medium-high heat works beautifully, or you can bake at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes