Description
A simple, smoky grilled salmon recipe that uses pantry staples and cooks in under 20 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, and families looking for a healthy, budget-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6oz each / 1.5kg)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and remove any large bones.
- In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Drizzle olive oil over the salmon fillets and rub it in gently. Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over the top side of each fillet, pressing spices in. Flip fillets, lightly oil the other side, and sprinkle with a little more salt (skip the rub on the bottom).
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F / 200°C). Clean grates and oil them thoroughly using an oil-soaked paper towel held with tongs.
- Place salmon fillets skin-side down on the grill. Close the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes without touching.
- Check if about two-thirds of the side is opaque. Gently flip the fillets using a thin, flexible spatula.
- Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for medium or 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare.
- Remove salmon from the grill and let rest for 2 minutes.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over each fillet and garnish with chopped parsley or dill. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
Ensure the grill grates are hot and well-oiled to prevent sticking. Do not flip the salmon too early; let it develop a crust. Salmon continues to cook slightly after being removed from the heat. For oven baking, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 34
Keywords: grilled salmon, smoky salmon, easy dinner, meal prep, healthy fish, weeknight dinner, budget-friendly, family dinner