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Grilled Honey Lime Salmon Recipe

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.

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

  1. Season the salmon: Generously season the four 6-ounce salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance the natural flavors.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high. Ensure the grates are clean and brush lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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