Why You’ll Love This Recipe
We are huge salmon fans at my house! This grilled version is such a simple way to prepare fish, and my kids absolutely love it! Believe it or not, we first tried this recipe for a salmon at a neighborhood block party and just had to ask our friends from across the street for the recipe. That was almost 25 years ago, and this is still one of our favorite ways to prepare salmon.
- Simple ingredients, big flavor: A mix of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and lemon pepper creates a delicious marinade that’s both sweet and savory.
- Easy prep: Just stir, marinate, and grill to perfection.
- Make it ahead: This recipe is even better if you marinate the salmon for a few hours in the fridge, so you can prep it earlier in the day and grill when you’re ready.
After you preview the recipe card, be sure to look below for ingredient substitutions, recipe and storage tips, and suggestions for pairings and tasty variations!
Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar Grilled Salmon
Salmon fillets are marinated in a sweet soy sauce mixture, then grilled to perfection in this easy, restaurant quality seafood dinner.
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Servings: 4 -6 servings
Calories: 361kcal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together 1 teaspoon lemon pepper, 2 cloves garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup water, and 1/4 cup olive oil until sugar is dissolved.
- Place 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets in a large resealable plastic bag.
- Pour soy sauce mixture over fish and seal bag. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Lightly oil grill grate and preheat grill for medium heat.
- Place salmon on the preheated grill; discard marinade.
- Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Notes
Total time does not include marinading.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1081mg | Sugar: 10g
Keep scrolling for tips, ingredient substitutions, answers to frequently asked questions and more!
Pairings
Rice, pasta and grilled or roasted vegetables are all great accompaniments to this grilled salmon. My kids are big fans of this Creamy Lemon Herb Orzo. If you’d like to had some veggies to your meal, I suggest Air Fryer Asian Sesame Green Beans or Air Fryer Asian Sesame Broccoli. This is a really great summer pairing, because you don’t have to turn on the oven.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t forget to oil your grill grate before you turn it on! If you’re fish has skin, starting with the skin side on the grill makes the fish easier to turn.
- Preheat the grill is really important! A hot grill gives the salmon a nice sear and helps keep it from sticking.
- Use a fish spatula: It’s thinner and more flexible than a regular spatula, making it easier to turn delicate fillets.
- When is it done? The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Let it rest: Give the salmon about 5 minutes to rest off the grill so the juices can settle before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Storage Tips
- Use an airtight container: Store leftovers in a tightly sealed container to keep the salmon moist and flavorful, and to keep the odors from permeating your refrigerator.
- Refrigerate promptly: Store within 2 hours of cooking and eat within 3 days for best taste and safety.
Reheating & Using Leftovers
- In the oven method: Preheat oven to 275°F. Place salmon in a baking dish with a splash of water or broth, cover with foil, and heat for 10–15 minutes until warmed through.
- On the stovetop: Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over low heat. Add the salmon, cover, and warm gently for 5–7 minutes.
- In the microwave: Place salmon on a plate, cover loosely with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals at 50% power to avoid drying it out.
- Leftover ideas: Try adding leftover salmon to a Caesar salad, or making some Chili Lime Salmon Tacos.
Variations & Fun Twists
- Honey Garlic Glaze: Replace brown sugar with honey for a sweeter, more sticky glaze.
- Citrus Boost: Swap the water for orange juice or add fresh lime or lemon zest for a brighter flavor.
- Salmon Skewers: Cut the salmon into chunks and thread onto skewers with veggies like chopped bell peppers and onions before grilling.
- Grain Bowl: Serve salmon over rice or quinoa with steamed edamame, shredded carrots, and sesame dressing or peanut sauce.
12 comments
ashley
I may be trying this soon! Easy and simple is the way to go with salmon.