Introduction

Grilled Honey Lime Salmon is a vibrant and flavorful dish that perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and savory notes. This easy recipe delivers tender, juicy salmon with a beautiful glaze and grill marks or an option for foil packet cooking. It’s ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a special gathering.

Grilled Honey Lime Salmon Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets
Salt and pepper (to taste)
⅓ cup melted unsalted butter
⅓ cup honey
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Zest from half a lime
2 crushed large cloves garlic
Oil for grilling
Lime slices and chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Season the salmon fillets generously with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, honey, soy sauce, fresh lime juice, lime zest, and crushed garlic. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of this sauce for brushing after cooking.
Step 2: Marinate the salmon in the remaining sauce for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Step 3: For grill marks: Brush the grill grates with oil. Place the salmon diagonally on the grill grates with the skin side down. Grill with the lid closed for 2-4 minutes until grill marks form.
Step 4: Carefully turn the salmon using tongs and a wide spatula so the skin side is on the grill. Close the lid and cook for another 2-5 minutes until the fish is just opaque throughout.
Step 5: For foil packets (no grill marks): Place each fillet on a large piece of heavy-duty foil. Add lime slices and drizzle some marinade over each. Fold and seal the foil tightly into packets.
Step 6: Grill the foil packets for 10-13 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Remove from the grill when done.
Step 7: To serve, brush the salmon with the reserved sauce and garnish with lime slices and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Marinate the salmon longer (up to 2 hours) for more intense flavor.
Use cedar planks on the grill for a subtle smoky aroma.
Swap honey for maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
Add a pinch of chili flakes to the marinade for a spicy kick.
If grilling isn’t an option, bake salmon at 400°F (200°C) in foil packets for 12-15 minutes.

Storage

Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven at low heat or enjoy cold in salads. Avoid microwaving to prevent drying out the fish.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to fully thaw the salmon and pat it dry before marinating and grilling to ensure even cooking and good flavor absorption.

How can I tell when the salmon is done?

Salmon is done when it turns just opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking will make it dry, so keep a close eye during grilling.

Grilled Honey Lime Salmon Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 131 reviews

This Grilled Honey Lime Salmon recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a buttery honey lime marinade. Whether you prefer traditional grill marks or the moist tenderness of foil-steamed salmon, this dish is simple to prepare and delivers a delicious, healthy meal ideal for outdoor BBQs or quick weeknight dinners.

Author: Cleo
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon and Seasoning

4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets
Salt and pepper, to taste
Oil for grilling

Honey Lime Marinade

⅓ cup melted unsalted butter
⅓ cup honey
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Zest from half a lime
2 large cloves garlic, crushed

Garnish

Lime slices
Chopped cilantro

Instructions

Season the salmon: Generously season the four 6-ounce salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance the natural flavors.
Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the 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 and pour the remaining marinade over them. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to absorb the vibrant flavors.
Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high. Ensure the grates are clean and brush lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
Grill with marks (optional): For grill marks, position each salmon fillet diagonally across the grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 2-4 minutes until grill marks appear. Using tongs and a spatula, carefully flip the salmon so the skin side is down. Close the lid and cook another 2-5 minutes depending on thickness, until the salmon is just opaque.
Foil pack method (alternative): For a no-mark, steamed finish, place each salmon piece on a heavy-duty foil sheet, add lime slices and a spoonful of marinade, then tightly seal the packets. Place foil packets on the heated grill and cook for 10-13 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Finish and serve: Remove the salmon from the grill or foil packets. Brush the tops with the reserved sauce for added flavor. Garnish with fresh lime slices and chopped cilantro, then serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Notes

Marinate the salmon for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 2 hours to prevent the acid from breaking down the fish.
If you don’t have a grill, this recipe can also be adapted for broiling in the oven or cooking on a stovetop grill pan.
Using low sodium soy sauce helps keep the salt levels moderate while enhancing umami flavor.
Reserve some marinade before marinating the fish to avoid contamination.
Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is just opaque inside; avoid overcooking for the best texture.

Keywords: grilled salmon, honey lime salmon, barbecue salmon, healthy salmon recipe, quick salmon dinner