Grilled Salmon with garlic lime butter is flaky, juicy, and cooked to perfection with crispy salmon skin. Brushing on the flavored butter makes each bite irresistible.

We’re sharing our best tips for cooking salmon on the grill so it doesn’t stick. Watch the video tutorial and see why we are so obsessed with this salmon recipe.

Grilled salmon on platter with lime and dill

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Watch Grilled Salmon Video Tutorial:

Watch Natasha make this amazing salmon on the grill and learn all of our best tips and tricks for easy flipping and preventing salmon from sticking to the grill. Grilled salmon is quick and easy to make, and infused amazing flavor. That flavored butter is so good, we even used it on Grilled Corn on the Cob.

Your family and dinner guests will be humming over this salmon recipe. It’s sure to become your go-to salmon recipe for grilling season.

Grilled Salmon Recipe:

Break out the BBQ for this Grilled Salmon with Garlic Lime Butter and eat like you’re on vacation! Cooking salmon on the grill adds incredible smoky tones to salmon and the flavored butter takes it over the top with fresh summer flavor.

This grilled salmon recipe is easy-easy-easy. It marinates while you preheat your grill and cooks super fast.

Ingredients for Grilled Salmon and Garlic Lime Butter:

No need to go to a million different stores on a wild goose chase for any oddball ingredients for this recipe! Simple yet flavorful is the motto here! Just grab a few basic ingredients and you’ll be ready to get grilling.

  • Unsalted butter
  • Garlic smashed (NOT PRESSED)
  • Lime juice plus lime wedges to serve
  • Fresh dill
  • Sea salt and black pepper
  • 2 lb Salmon filet (SKIN-ON)

Salmon recipe ingredients with skin-on-salmon filet, lime, butter, garlic, and dill

Tools for Grilled Salmon:

This recipe is simple and does not require any fancy equipment. Here are the tools we use to make it easier and safer to grill salmon.

How to Make Garlic Lime Butter:

This amazing flavored butter is used to marinate, baste, and then brush the salmon once it’s off the grill.

1. In a saucepan, melt butter and add smashed garlic, salt, and black pepper. Simmer 1 minute until fragrant then add chopped dill and lime juice and immediately remove from heat.

Cook’s Tip: Smashing the garlic infuses great garlic flavor into the butter sauce without burning on the grill.

Step by step how to make garlic lime butter

How to Grill Salmon:

1. Spoon 1/3 of the sauce over the salmon then brush it on to distribute. Let salmon rest and marinate while preheating the grill.

Brushing salmon filets to grill

2. Preheat grill to medium/high (350˚F-400˚F) and oil the grates. Place salmon onto grill, skin-side-up. Cover and grill over medium/high for 3 minutes.

3. Loosen salmon with a spatula if needed, then carefully flip over and brush the tops with 1/3 of the garlic-lime butter then cover and cook another 2-3 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 140˚F then transfer to a platter (it will rise to 145˚F while it rests).

4. Transfer to a platter and drizzle with 1/3 sauce reserved in the saucepan (if the butter sauce hardens, heat on the stove just until melted). Garnish with fresh dill and serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the top.

Brushing salmon with flavored butter on the grill

How to Keep Salmon from Sticking to the Grill:

Do yourself a favor and oil the grates! It’s a quick step that will make grilling and flipping salmon so much easier. Oil the grates after preheating. To oil the grill, dip a folded paper towel in a high heat cooking oil (it should not be dripping with oil). Use tongs to hold the oiled paper towel and rub over the hot grates. This also works great when making Grilled Salmon Skewers.

Salmon Grilling Tips:

  • When grilling salmon, be sure to buy skin-on salmon fillets. Salmon is very tender and flaky and the skin helps keep it together on the grill without falling through the grates.
  • The butter in this recipe makes the salmon juicy and rich in flavor – don’t worry about the amount as some of it is lost on the grill.
  • When flipping salmon, wear an oven mitt and start with the filets at the back in case of flare-ups.

Perfectly Grilled salmon filets drizzled with garlic lime butter and served with lime wedges

How Long Do You Grill Salmon?

So you know how long to cook salmon on the grill, we created this salmon grilling chart. The ideal internal doneness temperature is 145˚F. We take it off the grill about five degrees early since the temperature will continue to rise as the salmon rests off the grill. If you see white beads forming on the salmon, that means it is overcooking.

Follow these salmon grilling guidelines for cooking over medium heat (350˚F):

  • 1″ thick fillets = 3 minutes per side
  • 3/4″ thick fillets = 2-3 minutes per side
  • 1/2″ thick fillets = 2 minutes per side

Flaked grilled salmon on a plate with lime

What to Serve with Grilled Salmon:

In just 30 minutes or less, you’ll have dinner on the table for a simple weeknight meal everyone will enjoy. Serve it with Grilled Vegetables, and Creamy Mashed Potatoes or Fluffy White Rice to complete the meal.

If you need more menu inspiration, explore all of our Side Dish Recipes.

Love Salmon? Try Our Top Salmon Recipes:

There’s so much you can do with salmon and the recipe options are endless! These are the top-rated salmon recipes on our site. It’s so hard to pick a favorite.

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Grilled Salmon Recipe with Garlic Lime Butter

4.96 from 50 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Grilled salmon on a blue plate flaked with a fork
Grilled Salmon with Garlic Lime Butter and eat like you're on vacation! Go-To Grilled Salmon recipe - easy, flaky and so juicy!
Prep Time: 24 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 (6 oz each) salmon filets
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, (8 Tbsp)
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed (NOT PRESSED)
  • 2 Tbsp lime juice , (from 1 lime)plus lime wedges to serve
  • 2 Tbsp dill, chopped, plus more to garnish
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 lbs salmon filet, skin-on, cut into 6 portions

Instructions

  • In a sauce pan, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. Smash 4 garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife and add to saucepan with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Simmer 1 min or until fragrant. Add chopped dill and 2 Tbsp lime juice then immediately remove from heat.
  • Arrange salmon fillets on a platter skin-side-down and spoon on 1/3 of butter sauce and brush over the tops. Let salmon marinate while preheating grill.
  • Preheat grill to medium heat (350˚F to 400˚F). Oil the hot grates. Place salmon onto preheated grill, skin-side-up. Cover and grill over medium (350˚F) heat undisturbed, about 3 minutes on the first side.
  • Carefully flip salmon over (it helps to have a spatula to loosen it and tongs to flip it over), brush on 1/3 of butter sauce then cover and cook another 2 minutes (or according to salmon grilling chart), until internal temperature reaches 140˚F (the temperature will continue to rise to an ideal 145˚F internal temperature off the grill).
  • Transfer salmon to a platter and drizzle with remaining 1/3 of sauce in saucepan (if butter has hardened, heat on the stovetop just until melted). Garnish with fresh dill and serve with lime wedges to squeeze over salmon.

Notes

***Salmon Grilling Chart for med/high heat (350˚F):
1″ thick fillets = 3 minutes per side
3/4″ thick fillets = 2-3 minutes per side
1/2″ thick fillets = 2 minutes per side

Nutrition Per Serving

355kcal Calories1g Carbs30g Protein25g Fat11g Saturated Fat124mg Cholesterol457mg Sodium749mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar545IU Vitamin A2.1mg Vitamin C26mg Calcium1.2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Grilled Salmon Recipe with Garlic Lime Butter
Amount per Serving
Calories
355
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
25
g
38
%
Saturated Fat
 
11
g
69
%
Cholesterol
 
124
mg
41
%
Sodium
 
457
mg
20
%
Potassium
 
749
mg
21
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
30
g
60
%
Vitamin A
 
545
IU
11
%
Vitamin C
 
2.1
mg
3
%
Calcium
 
26
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1.2
mg
7
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: grilled salmon, how to grill samon
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 355

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

 

My entire family really enjoyed this salmon. My 2-year old was surprised by the taste at first (must have been the fresh lime that excited her taste buds) but she enjoyed it also! That is just the best feeling when your kids happily eat something you make and especially when salmon is full of brain and heart-boosting Omega 3 fatty acids. YES!!

Break out the BBQ for this Grilled Salmon with Garlic Lime Butter and eat like you're on vacation! Go-To Grilled Salmon recipe - it excites your taste buds! | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Joyce B Moody
    June 6, 2023

    Can this recipe for grilling salmon be substituted by oven broiling, successfully?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 6, 2023

      Hi Joyce! You can reference my baked salmon recipe for instructions on making this in the oven.

      Reply

  • Krista Wells
    August 11, 2022

    Can you put this in foil on grill and not flip? Maybe skin side down

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 12, 2022

      Hi Krista, one of my readers mentioned cooking it on foil, and the salmon crumbled a bit on foil. I hope you have better results!

      Reply

  • Kathy Hooker
    June 8, 2022

    I made this salmon recipe last night and it was to die for. I served it with your Cowboy Caviar on the side and that was awesome also. Although I just made enough for two servings because I’m alone and I will have the rest of it this evening. (oh, I did nix the cilantro). LOL I love all your recipes. For lunch today I have the cucumber, tomato and avacado salad with lemon and olive oil. Very refreshing.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 8, 2022

      Yum! That sounds like a fantastic dinner, Kathy! Thank you for sharing your excellent review with me!

      Reply

  • Yani Rodriguez
    August 5, 2021

    Omg I’ll never make salmon any other way again!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 5, 2021

      So glad you loved this recipe!

      Reply

  • Rhonda
    July 3, 2021

    Made this tonight. Let me first say that my husband and I don’t particularly like Salmon, but my daughter who is staying with us loves it. I looked at a lot of recipes, but picked this one to try because I have been so happy with the other recipes I have tried from this site. Bottom line, we all loved it. It was simple to prepare, and the results were really good. I followed the directions to the letter, and served with saffron Orzo. I will absolutely be making this again.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 3, 2021

      That’s so great, Rhonda! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review with me.

      Reply

  • Anna A Gibaldi
    May 26, 2021

    Hi Natasha!! So I will be grilling Salmon today. Can fresh lemon be used instead of lime? I never really use lime. Also Can a corn oil or olive oil be used to rub on the grill when preheating the grill? Thank you. You are amazing!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 26, 2021

      Hi Anna, yes lemon would still work well here 🙂

      Reply

  • Lauren M.
    April 30, 2021

    Hi there! I’m really looking forward to trying this recipe! Just curious, would I be able to use minced garlic in the garlic lime butter marinade? If so, how much would you recommend I use? Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 30, 2021

      Hi Lauren, I haven’t tested that but I bet it could work. I would add it to taste.

      Reply

  • Hasitha Kannangara
    February 21, 2021

    Hi I really loved your grilled salmon. One of the best and easy dressing ever.

    And I have one question for you.
    Is it ok to have salmon everyday.
    One portion?

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 21, 2021

      Hi Hasitha, I don’t see any problems with that.

      Reply

  • Donna
    February 12, 2021

    Can this recipe be baked, rather than grilled?

    Reply

  • Victoria
    January 25, 2021

    My family loves this recipe!! Even my grand babies enjoy it!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 25, 2021

      Very nice! I’m so glad to hear that, thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Vicki
    December 23, 2020

    What kind of salmon would you recommend for grilling? Sockeye? or anther specific type?
    thanks!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 23, 2020

      Hi Vicki, I think I prefer wild-caught salmon because it has more flavor, but if you’re dealing with eaters who are mild fish fans, a quality farm-raised salmon will have a more mellow flavor.

      Reply

    • Natasha
      December 23, 2020

      HI Vicki, Any kind would work and I have tried sockeye but I have found that fattier salmon (the larger filets like the ones from Costco) tend to be juicier when grilled.

      Reply

  • Patricia
    December 11, 2020

    This salmon recipe is restaurant quality! Yes it’s that good! 🥰

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 11, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Patricia! Thank you for the wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Hanna
    November 21, 2020

    The grilled salmon with garlic, lime butter and dill, was so delicious and so easy to make. I love  the smell of dill. The salmon was not dry at all. I will definitely  being making this again.
    I also made your Spatchcock chicken, as well today. 
    Thank you for helping me to cook with confidence.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 21, 2020

      You’re welcome, Hanna! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Chris
    September 9, 2020

    Can this salmon recipe be baked in the oven, and if so, at what temperature and how long?
    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 9, 2020

      Hi Chris, yes you could bake this in the oven instead following these baking instructions.

      Reply

      • Chris Corona
        September 21, 2020

        Thanks for your response, Natasha. My husband follows you in FB and has me hooked on you, as well. We’re definitely exploring many of your healthy recipes. Thank you again.
        Chris

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          September 21, 2020

          Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I’m all smiles

          Reply

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