Description
Succulent King Salmon grilled to perfection marries Mediterranean herbs with ocean-fresh flavors. Delicate fish meets smoky char, delivering a luxurious seafood experience you’ll savor with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) king salmon fillet (skin-on for best results)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano (or thyme)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Liquid and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon honey (optional, for balance)
Garnish:
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Fresh parsley or dill (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the outdoor grill by heating it to a robust medium-high temperature, ensuring the cooking surface reaches 375-400F with thoroughly cleaned and well-oiled grates to prevent salmon from adhering.
- Meticulously pat the salmon fillet with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, creating an ideal surface for seasoning and grilling.
- Create a flavorful coating by generously drizzling olive oil across the salmon, ensuring complete and even coverage with a gentle rubbing motion.
- Craft a robust seasoning blend by sprinkling salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and oregano across the entire fillet surface, massaging the spices gently to enhance penetration.
- Enhance the salmon’s brightness by squeezing fresh lemon juice over the seasoned fish, allowing the citrus to complement the existing spice profile.
- Position the salmon carefully onto the grill, placing the skin-side down to promote even cooking and protect the delicate flesh from direct flame contact.
- Cover the grill and allow the salmon to cook undisturbed for 10-12 minutes, monitoring the internal temperature until it reaches 125-130F for a perfect medium doneness.
- For additional texture, optionally rotate the salmon during the final two minutes of cooking to achieve light charring on the flesh side, using careful precision.
- While the salmon grills, quickly prepare an optional garlic butter sauce by whisking melted butter with minced garlic, a touch of lemon juice, and a drizzle of honey.
- Once cooking is complete, remove the salmon from the heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes, helping the juices redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Finish the dish by brushing the optional garlic butter sauce over the grilled salmon and garnishing with freshly chopped parsley or dill.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side, providing guests the option to add an extra burst of citrus to their perfectly grilled salmon.
Notes
- Moisture Matters: Pat the salmon completely dry before grilling to ensure a crispy exterior and prevent steaming.
- Skin-Side Strategy: Always start grilling salmon skin-side down to protect the delicate flesh and create a beautiful crispy skin.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to hit the perfect 125-130F for medium doneness, avoiding dry or undercooked fish.
- Marinade Magic: Let salmon sit with seasonings for 15-30 minutes before grilling to enhance flavor penetration and tenderness.
- Low-Carb and Keto-Friendly: This recipe naturally fits low-carb diets, providing high-protein, healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
- Herb Swap Potential: Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to create different flavor profiles while maintaining the recipe’s core technique.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 56 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg