Description
This Grilled Honey Lime Salmon recipe features tender, flavorful salmon fillets marinated in a zesty blend of honey, lime juice, garlic, and soy sauce. Perfectly grilled to achieve beautiful grill marks or cooked in foil packets for a moist and delicate finish, this dish is garnished with fresh lime slices and chopped cilantro for a refreshing touch. Ideal for a healthy, quick, and delicious meal that showcases the balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon and Marinade
- 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Zest from half a lime
- 2 large cloves garlic, crushed
- Oil for grilling
Garnish
- Lime slices
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Season the salmon: Generously season the 4 salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides. This prepares the fish for marinating and enhances its natural flavor.
- Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together melted unsalted butter, honey, low sodium soy sauce, fresh lime juice, lime zest, and crushed garlic cloves until well combined. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of this sauce to brush on the salmon after cooking.
- Marinate the salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour the remaining marinade over them. Ensure all fillets are coated evenly. Allow the salmon to marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator for maximum flavor infusion.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high. If you prefer distinct grill marks, lightly brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill the salmon with grill marks: Position the salmon fillets diagonally on the hot grill grates. Close the grill lid and cook for 2-4 minutes depending on thickness, or until grill marks appear. Carefully turn the fillets over using tongs and a wide spatula so the skin side is down. Close the lid and continue grilling for another 2-5 minutes until the salmon is just barely opaque throughout.
- Alternative grilling in foil packs: For a gentler cooking method without grill marks, place each salmon fillet on a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil large enough to fold over. Add lime slices on top and drizzle with some marinade. Fold the foil tightly to seal the packets. Place the foil packets on the hot grill and cook for 10-13 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the salmon is cooked through.
- Final touch and serve: Once grilled, brush the tops of the salmon fillets with the reserved marinade sauce. Serve immediately garnished with fresh lime slices and chopped cilantro to enhance the fresh, vibrant flavors of the dish.
Notes
- Marinate the salmon for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 2 hours to prevent the acid in lime juice from ‘cooking’ the fish.
- Adjust grilling time based on the thickness of the salmon fillets for best results.
- Use a wide spatula when turning the salmon to prevent breaking the fillets.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
- Foil packets help keep the salmon moist and are great for delicate fillets or when grill marks are not desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Grilled salmon, Honey lime salmon, Healthy salmon recipe, Easy grilled fish, Summer seafood dish
