Grilled Salmon

Salmon is a real treat, but with a little bit of planning, I have found it can be enjoyed any time of year! Nice cuts of salmon are available fresh and/or frozen pretty much everywhere these days, making this Grilled Salmon recipe one that is great to have in your back pocket, especially during Summer.

cutting a piece of grilled salmon on a black plate with a fork.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, the only thing I craved that wasn’t sour fruits or crunchy veggies was salmon! My body must have been onto something because this recipe for Grilled Salmon goes perfectly with a squeeze of sour grilled lemon and vegetables of any kind! I found a great deal on skin-on wild-caught salmon at Walmart for this recipe, making it cost effective as well as delicious.

Here’s what you’ll need to make grilled salmon:

Salmon: I found fresh Atlantic salmon on a good sale, so that’s what I used. I often find frozen salmon to be cheaper– just thaw before using.
Lemon: Adds freshness and a little bit of sourness.
Vegetable Oil: Helps the salmon grill without sticking.
Salt and Pepper: Enhance the natural flavor of the fish.

What Else Can I Add?

I kept things basic for this grilled salmon recipe, but it’s easy to season with your favorite spice blends, like:

Serving Suggestions

I love this grilled salmon served with rice, sauteed asparagus, wedges of fresh grilled lemon, and a dollop of our Tzaziki Sauce!

Grilled salmon is so simple and delicious– perfect for summer when perhaps you’re trying to eat a little lighter.

Author: Jess – Budget Bytes

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2 6-oz. pieces skin-on Atlantic salmon ($8.61)
1 lemon, sliced in half ($0.50)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil ($0.04)
1 tsp sea salt ($0.02)
1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.10)

Preheat grill on high, 450-500°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
Brush lemon halves and salmon on all sides with oil and season with salt and pepper
Grill salmon (skin side down) and lemons (cut side down) to grill and grill for 6 minutes.
Flip lemons and salmon and grill for 4 minutes or until internal temp reaches about 135°F. Remove from grill and allow salmon to rest for a few minutes, where it will finish cooking and reach the perfect internal temperature of 145°F.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Serving: 4ouncesCalories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 23gFat: 12gSodium: 826mgFiber: 1g

Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.

a serving of grilled salmon and grilled vegetables on a black plate.

how to make Grilled Salmon – step by step photos

Preheat grill on high, 450-500°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.

Brush the halves of 1 lemon and 2 6-oz. salmon fillets on all sides with oil and season with salt and pepper.

2 salmon fillets and lemon halves on a grill pan.

Grill salmon (skin side down) and lemons (cut side down) to grill and grill for 6 minutes.

partially grilled salmon fillets on a grill pan.

Flip lemons and salmon and grill for 4 minutes or until internal temp reaches about 135°F. Remove from grill and allow salmon to rest for a few minutes, where it will finish cooking and reach the perfect internal temperature of 145°F.