Make your summer meals special with this Grilled Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter Recipe. It mixes the rich taste of salmon with the fresh zing of lemon and herbs. It’s perfect for a backyard BBQ or a healthy dinner any night.
This healthy grilled fish is grilled just right and topped with a zesty lemon herb butter. The salmon’s sweetness meets the bright, herb sauce in a perfect mix. Try this summer seafood dish for a taste of tender salmon and creamy butter.
Why This Grilled Salmon Recipe Will Become Your Favorite
Grilled salmon is a tasty seafood dish that’s good for you. It’s perfect for special events or family dinners. The recipe has a yummy lemon herb butter that everyone will love.
Health Benefits of Grilled Salmon
Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids. These are great for your heart and overall health. Grilling keeps these nutrients in, making it a healthy choice.
Perfect for Special Occasions and Family Dinners
This grilled salmon is great for fancy dinners or holidays. It looks and tastes amazing. But it’s also simple to make for a family dinner any day.
This grilled salmon recipe is a hit because of its taste, health benefits, and ease. Enjoy the delicious flavors and good nutrition with every bite.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Grilling Salmon
Grilling salmon needs more than just the fish. You need a fish spatula, a grill basket, and a meat thermometer. Each tool is key to grilling salmon right.
The fish spatula helps you flip and move salmon without breaking it. Its design lets you handle the fish gently, making cooking easier.
A grill basket keeps salmon in place. It stops the fish from falling through the grates, making cooking simpler.
A meat thermometer checks if salmon is cooked right. It helps you cook it to the perfect medium-rare or medium.
With these tools, you’ll get great at grilling salmon. You’ll impress everyone with a delicious, perfectly cooked salmon dish.
Selecting the Perfect Salmon Fillet for Grilling
Choosing the right salmon for grilling is key. You can pick from wild-caught, Atlantic, or sockeye salmon. Knowing what each offers helps you pick the best one.
Fresh vs Frozen Salmon
Fresh and frozen salmon both work well for grilling. Fresh salmon is known for its bright color and strong taste. Frozen salmon is also good, as it’s frozen quickly to keep its flavor and nutrients.
When picking frozen salmon, go for wild-caught types like sockeye.
Different Types of Salmon to Consider
- Wild-caught salmon – This is the top choice, with a rich flavor and firm texture. Coho and sockeye are great picks.
- Atlantic salmon – Farmed Atlantic salmon is mild and soft, making it a favorite.
- Sockeye salmon – Known for its bright color and strong taste, sockeye is a favorite for its firm texture.
What to Look for When Buying Salmon
When picking salmon, look for a few things:
- Choose salmon with a bright color and shiny skin.
- The flesh should be firm and without bruises.
- Go for fillets that are 1 to 1.5 inches thick for even cooking.
- When buying frozen, avoid signs of freezer burn or ice crystals.
Ingredients List for Lemon Herb Butter Sauce
Making lemon herb butter sauce is easy and adds a lot of flavor to grilled salmon. It’s a mix of zesty citrus and fresh herbs that go great with salmon.
To make the lemon herb butter, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped dill
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
You can also add other herbs like thyme, chives, or rosemary. This mix of compound butter, fresh herbs, and zesty citrus flavor makes a great side for grilled salmon.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Possible Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 1 cup | Salted butter (reduce added salt) |
| Parsley | 2 tablespoons, freshly chopped | Cilantro, chives, or basil |
| Dill | 1 tablespoon, freshly chopped | Tarragon or fennel fronds |
| Lemon Zest | 2 teaspoons | Orange or lime zest |
| Lemon Juice | 1 tablespoon | Lime or orange juice |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | Kosher salt or sea salt |
| Black Pepper | 1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground | White pepper or crushed red pepper flakes |
Preparing Your Salmon Before Grilling
Getting your salmon ready for grilling is key for great taste. We’ll cover cleaning, deboning, and marinating your fish.
Proper Cleaning and Deboning
Rinse the salmon fillets under cold water. Then, dry them with paper towels. Look for bones and remove them with tweezers.
Marinade Options and Timing
Marinating adds flavor and keeps the fish moist. Try lemon-herb or soy sauce with garlic and ginger. Marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
By cleaning, deboning, and marinating well, you’ll make a grilled salmon dish everyone will love.
Making the Perfect Lemon Herb Butter
Making a tasty homemade compound butter is easy. It makes your grilled salmon even better. Fresh herbs, tangy lemon zest, and rich butter mix well. This makes a great topping for your salmon.
Ingredients for Lemon Herb Butter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions for Making Lemon Herb Butter
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter, parsley, dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Make sure everything is well mixed.
- Put the flavored butter on parchment paper or plastic wrap. Shape it into a log, about 1 inch thick.
- Wrap the butter log tightly and put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This makes it firm.
- After it’s chilled, cut the homemade compound butter into rounds. Place them on your grilled salmon fillets.
For the best lemon herb butter, use fresh ingredients. Let the butter chill before you slice it. This way, it stays firm and the flavors blend well. Enjoy your grilled salmon with this tasty lemon herb butter!
Grilled Salmon with Lemon Herb Butter Recipe
Preparation Time and Servings
This recipe for grilled salmon with lemon herb butter is quick. It takes about 30 minutes to make and serves 4 people. The salmon is tender and the lemon herb butter is zesty, making it a hit.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
To make this tasty grilled salmon, just follow these steps:
- First, heat your grill to medium-high, about 375°F to 400°F.
- Then, dry the salmon fillets with a paper towel. Season them well with salt and pepper.
- Grill the salmon for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping it halfway. Make sure it reaches 145°F inside.
- While the salmon cooks, mix softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and lemon juice for the butter.
- Once the salmon is done, spread a lot of lemon herb butter on top.
- Finally, serve the salmon right away. Let the butter melt over the fish.
This dish is amazing. The grilled salmon and lemon herb butter together are a winner. Serve it with your favorite sides for a great meal.
Optimal Grilling Temperature and Timing
To get the best grilled salmon, you need to control the grill’s heat. The best temperature is between 400°F to 450°F. This heat makes the outside crispy and the inside soft and flaky.
Keep the grill at the right temperature. Preheat it well and use a thermometer to check the heat. Don’t open the lid too often to keep the heat steady.
Grilling time is also important. Grill for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway. The exact time depends on the salmon’s thickness. Use a thermometer to check if it’s 145°F inside. The fish should be white and flaky when you poke it with a fork.
