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How to Make Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce: A Step-by-Step Guide
Take your summer grilling to the next level with this delicious recipe. Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce combines the rich taste of salmon with the zesty kick of lemon and garlic. It’s a hit for seafood lovers and home cooks. In just 30 minutes, you can make a meal that will wow your family and friends. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to select the freshest salmon for grilling
- Discover the perfect blend of ingredients for the lemon butter sauce
- Understand the essential kitchen tools and equipment needed for grilling salmon
- Master the art of seasoning and marinating the salmon for maximum flavor
- Learn the optimal grilling temperature and timing for perfectly cooked salmon
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce
To make the best salmon with lemon and dill or lemon garlic butter grilled salmon, you need top-notch ingredients. Let’s look at the key items that will make your dish stand out.
Fresh Salmon Selection Tips
Begin with a skin-on salmon fillet, about 1.5 to 1.75 pounds. Choose wild-caught salmon for the best taste and texture. Look for salmon that’s vibrant and has a uniform color, with no discoloration or blemishes.
Butter Sauce Components
The creamy lemon butter sauce is a perfect match for your grilled salmon. You’ll need unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice, honey, and minced garlic. The butter adds richness, the lemon brings brightness, and the honey adds a hint of sweetness.
Herbs and Seasonings
To boost the flavors, use fresh parsley, dried dill, kosher salt, and black pepper. For a lemon dill butter, mix softened butter with chopped fresh dill, lemon zest, and a bit of black pepper.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Salmon fillet (skin-on) | 1.5 to 1.75 pounds |
| Unsalted butter | ⅓ cup |
| Fresh lemon juice | ¼ cup or juice of 1 lemon |
| Honey | 1 tablespoon (optional) |
| Garlic cloves, minced | 5 large |
| Kosher salt | To taste |
| Black pepper, cracked | To taste (optional) |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | 2 tablespoons, divided |
| Dried dill | 1 teaspoon |
Kitchen Tools and Equipment Needed
To make the perfect grilled salmon with lemon butter sauce, you’ll need some basic tools. Start with a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. You’ll also need a microwave-safe bowl for melting the butter and a sturdy spatula for flipping the salmon.
For outdoor grilling, clean the grates well and oil them to prevent sticking. A microplane grater is useful for zesting the lemon and grating the garlic. If you’re making the lemon dill version, have a small bowl ready for mixing the sauce.
- Baking sheet with aluminum foil
- Microwave-safe bowl for melting butter
- Spatula for flipping salmon
- Grill or grill pan (if cooking outdoors, clean and oil the grates)
- Microplane grater for zesting lemon and grating garlic
- Small bowl for mixing lemon dill butter (if using)
With these tools, you’ll be ready to make a delicious grilled salmon with lemon butter sauce.
Preparing Your Salmon for Grilling
To get your grilled salmon just right, start with the right prep. Let the salmon fillets warm up to room temperature before grilling. This ensures it cooks evenly, so the outside doesn’t burn before the inside is done.
Then, cut the salmon into 4 pieces. This makes it look better and cooks more evenly. Before seasoning, brush both sides with avocado oil or olive oil. This helps get a nice, golden crust on the outside.
Seasoning Techniques
For the best flavor, season the salmon flesh side well. Use lemon pepper seasoning or a mix of salt and black pepper. Make sure to spread the seasoning evenly for the best taste in every bite.
Marination Tips
Marinating the salmon in lemon butter before grilling can elevate the dish. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This lets the flavors soak into the fish, making it even more tasty.
Before grilling, make sure the grill grates are clean and oiled. This prevents the salmon from sticking. With these steps, you’ll make perfect grilled salmon every time.
Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe
Enjoy the mix of tender grilled salmon and smooth lemon butter sauce. This quick recipe is great for busy nights or when you want seafood.
First, heat your grill to 450°F. Place seasoned salmon fillets, skin-side down, on the grill. Grill for 5-6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes until done.
While grilling, make the lemon butter sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add lemon juice, honey, and garlic. Stir until the flavors mix well.
Save a quarter of the sauce for later. Pour the rest over the salmon in the last few minutes. This lets the sauce flavor the fish.
You can also make a lemon dill butter. Mix softened butter with dill, lemon zest, and pepper. Spread it on the salmon after grilling.
Serve the lemon salmon recipe pan with the saved sauce. Let everyone add sauce as they like. Enjoy with roasted veggies, a salad, or your favorite sides for a full meal.
Mastering the Grilling Temperature and Timing
To get perfectly grilled grilled garlic butter salmon in foil, you need to know the right temperature and cooking time. Here’s how to make sure your salmon is juicy and full of flavor:
Temperature Control Guidelines
Keep the grill at 450°F to 475°F for the best results. This heat will give your salmon a nice char on the outside. It also keeps the inside moist and tender.
Cooking Time Chart
- For salmon fillets that are about 1-inch thick, grill for 5-6 minutes per side.
- Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your salmon cuts. Thicker fillets may require an extra minute or two per side.
- If you prefer the foil packet method, seal the grilled garlic butter salmon in foil and bake at 375°F for 17 minutes, then open the packet and broil for 5-10 minutes to achieve a crispy top.
The total cooking time for grilled garlic butter salmon in foil is about 20-25 minutes. This depends on the salmon’s thickness and how well you like it cooked. Always let the salmon rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the internal temperature reach 145°F.
| Salmon Thickness | Grill Time (per side) | Foil Packet Bake Time | Broil Time | Total Cooking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch | 5-6 minutes | 17 minutes | 5-10 minutes | 20-25 minutes |
| 1.5 inch | 6-7 minutes | 20 minutes | 5-10 minutes | 25-30 minutes |
| 2 inch | 7-8 minutes | 23 minutes | 5-10 minutes | 30-35 minutes |
Mastering the right grill temperature and cooking times ensures delicious, juicy, and flavorful grilled garlic butter salmon in foil every time.
Creating the Perfect Lemon Butter Sauce
Take your grilled lemon garlic butter salmon to the next level with a delicious lemon butter sauce. This sauce enhances the salmon’s rich flavors and adds a tangy finish that’s sure to please.
To make the perfect lemon butter sauce, start by melting 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 2-3 tablespoons of honey once the butter is melted. Whisk until smooth. Then, stir in 5 minced garlic cloves for a hint of garlic.
For a twist, try a lemon dill butter sauce. Mix 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter with 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill, the zest of one small lemon, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper in a small bowl. Stir until well combined.
Both sauces can be made ahead of time and warmed to room temperature before serving. This allows the flavors to blend and the sauce to reach the perfect drizzling consistency for your lemon garlic butter grilled salmon or lemon salmon recipe pan.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter | 1/2 cup |
| Lemon Juice | 3 tablespoons |
| Honey | 2-3 tablespoons |
| Garlic Cloves (minced) | 5 |
| Softened Unsalted Butter | 1/2 cup |
| Chopped Fresh Dill | 2 tablespoons |
| Lemon Zest | 1 small lemon |
| Black Pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
Signs of Perfectly Cooked Salmon
Learning to cook grilled salmon with lemon butter sauce is a skill every home chef should have. The signs of perfectly cooked salmon include its look and internal temperature.
Visual Indicators
As the salmon cooks, you’ll see it change color and texture. It will go from a raw look to a bright pink. You’ll also see the flesh separate, showing it’s cooked.
Testing for Doneness
To check if your salmon is done, use a digital thermometer. The FDA says it should be 145°F (63°C) at its thickest part. Don’t overcook it, as it can become dry and tough. It should be tender and moist, with a crispy outside.
| Doneness | Internal Temperature |
|---|---|
| Medium Rare | 120-125°F (51-52°C) |
| Medium | 130-135°F (54-57°C) |
| Medium Well | 140-145°F (60-63°C) |
Watch for visual signs and use a thermometer to check the temperature. This way, your salmon with lemon butter sauce will always be perfect.
Plating and Presentation Tips
Make your grilled salmon with lemon and dill stand out by focusing on plating and presentation. Place the salmon on warm plates to keep it hot. Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the fish or add a dollop of lemon dill butter for extra flavor.
Top the dish with fresh parsley or dill sprigs and lemon wedges for a pop of color. Pair the salmon with grilled asparagus or a mixed salad for a colorful touch. Serve it with side dishes like pearled couscous, rice, or roasted potatoes to round out the meal.
Use the “rule of thirds” to divide the plate for a balanced look. Layer the ingredients for depth and elegance. Be gentle when drizzling the sauce to avoid covering the salmon. Let the beauty of the dish shine through.