Grilled Garlic Lime Salmon

This simple Grilled Garlic Lime Salmon dish is packed with flavor from lime juice, fresh garlic, and soy sauce. Plus it's ready on the grill or in the oven in under twenty minutes. It pairs perfectly with these easy grilled vegetables and grilled red potatoes.

Grilled Salmon with Garlic and Lime that's full of flavor without overpowering the fish. Whenever I see any kind of special for fresh Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, you can pretty much find me sprinting to the store. It's probably my favorite kind of salmon with its deep, rich flavor and dark pink color. (Learn all about the different kinds of salmon.) My favorite way to cook it is on the grill with some simple flavors like this recipe using lime juice and garlic. I like to use soy sauce as the salty element since it adds some nice umami flavor. You can also add a touch of spice with red pepper flakes if you like some heat. Other than that, the plan is to let the salmon shine.

One question I have gotten a few times about this recipe concerns adding a sweetener and this is defintiely an option with this recipe. To create a slightly sweet glaze for the fish, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey to the soy sauce and lime mixture. Maple syrup also works but I find the flavor of honey works better in this recipe. It also helps create some caramelization on the fish, which is hard to achieve without some kind of sweetener. 

How long do you grill salmon?

On a medium hot grill, a one-inch thick piece of salmon will take between 6-10 minutes depending on how well done you like it cooked. At six minutes, it will be medium rare and at ten minutes it will be fully cooked and opaque. If you are cooking a piece of salmon with the skin on, start with the skinless side down and flip it once it naturally releases from the grill, usually after 4-5 minutes. Then cook wiht the skin side down until it is cooked to your liking. You can also cook it with the skin side down for the entire cooking time, but the skin will get very crispy and almost black. 

How do prevent salmon from sticking to the grill?

The best way to prevent salmon from sticking to the grill is to make sure your grill is clean and free of any caked on residue. Then make sure to let the salmon cook long enough that it naturally releases from the grates of the grill. Many people find their fish sticks simply because they tried to flip it too early. (This is true of almost all meats on the grill.) You can also oil the grill grates to help make sure the salmon doesn't stick. If you still have trouble with your fish sticking, consider grilling the fish on a piece of foil. This guarantees that your salmon won't stick.

Side Dishes for Grilled Garlic Lime Salmon

Since we are already cooking on the grill, I like to make my side dishes on the grill as well to minimize things to clean. Vegetables are always a great side dish. You could try this Garlic Grilled Broccoli, Grilled Cauliflower, or Grilled Lemon Pepper Zucchini. You can also make corn on the cob on the grill. For a cold side dish in hot weather, consider making a colelsaw or salad. We love this simple Skinny Slaw recipe and my whole family loves this Kale Caesar Salad.

Favorite Lunch Ideas with Grilled Salmon Leftovers

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, here are some of the best things to make with leftover grilled garlic lime salmon.

• Salmon Tacos: Toss this salmon into warm corn tortillas with pico de gallo, avocado, and some crunchy cabbage for a killer fish taco.
• Lettuce Wraps: Wrap this salmon up in butter lettuce wraps with edamame, shredded carrots, rice noodles, and a drizzle of Hoisin sauce.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: I am a sucker for a good fish sandwich and this salmon is the perfect filling. Grab some healthy bread or a wrap. Add your favorite veggies and some store bought peanut sauce or teriyaki sauce.
• Rice bowls: I love to build rice bowls with this salmon. Usually, I start with a bed of brown rice or quinoa and add some quickly stir-fried veggies and the leftover salmon. Tastes great warm or cold.