Grilled Salmon with Garlic and Lemon Butter
Prep
15 mins
Cook
20 mins
Servings
4
Difficulty
Easy
This is one of my favorite weeknight dinners because it comes together in just 35 minutes and tastes like you've been cooking all day. Salmon is packed with heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids, making this dish as nutritious as it is delicious. The garlic and lemon butter sauce is simple to prepare but creates this amazing restaurant quality flavor that never fails to impress. Best of all, you probably have most of these ingredients already in your kitchen, so it's budget friendly too. Whether you're cooking for your family or hosting guests, this elegant yet easy grilled salmon will definitely become your go to recipe.
Ella x
Ingredients
- 4salmon fillets(6 oz each, skin-on)
- 6garlic cloves(minced)
- 4 tablespoonsolive oil
- 3 tablespoonsfresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoonsunsalted butter
- 2 teaspoonsfresh thyme(chopped)
- 1 teaspoonkosher salt
- ½ teaspoonblack pepper
- 8lemon slices(for garnish)
- 2 tablespoonsfresh parsley(chopped)
Detail level
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and brush both sides lightly with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Tip: Dry salmon prevents sticking and promotes better browning.
- 2
Season each fillet generously with salt and black pepper on both sides. Create small pockets in the top of each fillet and stuff with minced garlic and fresh thyme.
Tip: Don't skip seasoning the fish generously - this enhances the natural salmon flavor.
- 3
Oil your grill grates thoroughly with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking.
Tip: Use a folded paper towel dipped in oil to coat the grates evenly.
- 4
Place salmon fillets skin-side up on the grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes without moving them, allowing a golden crust to form.
Tip: Resist the urge to flip - patience creates the best crust.
- 5
Carefully flip each fillet and cook for another 6-7 minutes until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Tip: The internal temperature should reach 145°F for perfectly cooked salmon.
- 6
While the salmon finishes cooking, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the remaining minced garlic and lemon juice, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Tip: Keep the heat low to prevent the garlic from burning and turning bitter.
- 7
Transfer the grilled salmon to serving plates. Drizzle the garlic-lemon butter sauce over each fillet and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices.
Tip: Serve immediately while the salmon is still warm for the best flavor.
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