Super Juicy Grilled Lemon Salmon: The Ultimate 20-Minute Dinner
Smoked, tender salmon steaks brushed with a quick garlic-citrus oil and seared to absolute perfection.
You don't need a heavy, complicated marinade to make fresh fish taste incredible on the grill. Just brush the salmon steaks with fresh lemon juice and a touch of garlic, then let the high heat create a beautiful, smoky crust while keeping the inside perfectly juicy.
Ingredients: 2 salmon steaks (about 5 to 6 ounces each), 1 fresh lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme (optional), plus salt and black pepper to taste.
To start, prep the fish by rinsing the steaks and patting them completely dry with paper towels. Leave the skin on, as it acts as a natural shield to lock in the juices and keep the fish from breaking apart. Use tweezers to pluck out any stray pin bones if you spot them.
Next, whip up the simple seasoning oil. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, the juice from half of the lemon, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper, adding a bit of finely chopped rosemary if you like. Coat the salmon steaks generously on all sides with this mixture and let them sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Fire up your outdoor grill or get a stovetop grill pan screaming hot over medium-high heat. Lay the salmon steaks down skin-side first and sear for about 4 to 5 minutes without moving them, letting the skin get nice and crispy. Gently flip the steaks over and grill for another 3 to 4 minutes until a gorgeous crust forms and the fish flakes easily.
Transfer the hot salmon to plates, garnish with fresh herbs and rounds sliced from the remaining half of the lemon, and dig in immediately alongside grilled veggies, a crisp salad, or fluffy rice.
