Grilled Salmon with Garlic Lime Butter (VIDEO)
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.
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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)
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.
- A long pair of Tongs to flip salmon
- A grilling spatula (or heatproof spatula)
- An oven mitt (for safety!)
- Saucepan and silicone brush to apply butter
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
- Baked Salmon – with garlic and dijon sauce
- Teriyaki Salmon – you will fall in love with this glaze
- Salmon Cakes – don’t skip the homemade tartar sauce
- Avocado Salmon Salad – Excellent with lemon dill dressing
- Pan-Seared Salmon – easy with mouthwatering lemon butter
Grilled Salmon Recipe with Garlic Lime Butter
Grilled Salmon with Garlic Lime Butter and eat like you're on vacation! Go-To Grilled Salmon recipe - easy, flaky and so juicy!
Ingredients
- 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
Recipe 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
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!!
Natasha Kravchuk
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Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
I made this for dinner. I can count on my hand the number of times I’ve cooked non battered fish the 40 years I’ve been married. My husband does not like fishy fish and neither do I. This was good, but after thinking about it, I didn’t really taste the marinade. Hmmm…. not sure why. Was hoping to taste the butter, garlic and lime juice.
Thank you for sharing that feedback with us Carri! I’m wondering if your salmon was larger than the recipe required and needed more marinade? Was anything else altered in the recipe?
We used to eat out a lot. My 3 kids are gourmet eaters. Now due to the Pandemic we are eating at home all the time. I made this for my family and husband and 3 kids loved it. The sauce was amazing.! The salmon was juicy and flavorful. I would definitely recommend this recipe. My husband and I are now big fans of Natashas Kitchen! We are looking forward to trying more of your recipes.
That is so awesome! Thank you so much for your kind words and great feedback, Teri. I hope you and your family will enjoy the other recipes that you will try!
Natasha,
I wanted to make this dish but didn’t have dill or limes so I substituted parsley and lemon. The salmon was so juicy and tasty. Cant wait to try it with the dill and lemon. This will go to the top of my salmon list.
So Yummy!
Rob
That is so awesome! I’m so glad you were able to find some substitutes and it turned out great. Thanks for your good feedback, Rob.
Made it tonight. Wonderful.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe Rich!
Did you leave the scales on? Just wondering since I didn’t see you take the skin off the end or anything and I’ve never tried eating fish with the skin on but would love to try
Hi Travis, we used a 2 lb Salmon filet (SKIN-ON) but scaled. I hope that helps.
Can this be made on the stove top in a skillet or a grill pan?
Hi Claire, I haven’t tested this on a stovetop to advise. It may work in an oven! You could bake this in the oven instead following these baking instructions.
Delicious! So fast and not dried out. I was hesitant about skin side up, but the fillets flipped with no problem. There was a lot of humming going on at the table…yummy! I served with a cannellini/ red onion/avocado salad and corn on the cob.
Will definitely use this recipe again! Thank you!
Sounds like you found a keeper! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Kathy!
The sauce looks great. However cooking to 145 degrees? Will ruin the salmon by over cooking. Cooking to 125-130 makes for a much more tasty piece of fish.
Thank you for that feedback Paul!
I cooked this with Help from my 12 year old son who doesn’t like salmon. As we made the sauce, the aroma caught his interest. After it came off the grill, we could not wait to eat it!! We followed the grill prep instructions and had NO STICKING!! I was So afraid I’d ruin my salmon on the grill to it sticking, I almost used the oven. I’m so glad I didn’t. This recipe was so amazing!! The salmon was So delicious!! He ate all of his and then some! I can’t wait to do this again! I did add a little honey to the sauce. And it was super with our side of sweet potatoes. I’d post a picture if I could. I don’t see that
Option. 😊
Yay that is so awesome! It’s so great to hear that you and your son both loved this salmon recipe. I hope you will both love every recipe that you try!
The grilled salmon with garlic lime butter is delicious and so easy. We also used it on shrimp skewers, oh so good.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me! That sounds great!
Natasha!!! This recipe is delicious! I printed it out a while ago and finally made it tonight. Home run! Thank you! A new grilled salmon favorite! I made it just as you specified and we loved it. Definitely a keeper!
The dill was very nice. I keep thinking about cilantro though…have you tried that in this recipe? It would be a very different flavor, obviously, but seems like it might be nice too. Just wondered.
Thank you for all your inspiring, delicious recipes!!! <3
That’s just awesome! Sounds like you found a new favorite!
Hi Natasha. We just discovered you 2 weeks ago. So far, we have prepared 4 of your recipes, and they’re all excellent and easy to do. Thank you! If I don’t have dill, what substitute can you recommend for this dish?
You can try using tarragon, that should work too.
Hi Natasha, I’m starting the Mediterranean diet next week & this salmon recipe would be a great start. The only thing is, I can’t use butter. I have to use olive oil. Do you think that will work with this recipe?
Thanks for sharing all your wonderful recipes.
Hi Livia, I think that should work too. Please share with us how it goes if you do an experiment!
I don’t love salmon, but I’m trying to eat more healthy foods so I tried this recipe. While I still don’t love salmon, it was a solid recipe. And that lime butter… I want to slather it on everything! I think I’ll use the leftover butter for grilled shrimp for lunch tomorrow! I served this with your grilled balsamic veggies which are always a hit in my house. I grilled a piece of salmon for my Greyhound also, and he gobbled it up and walked around licking his lips, so this recipe is both human and dog approved 🙂
Sounds great and thanks for sharing that with us. Yes the butter would definitely work well with your grilled shrimps!
I just made this recipe tonight for dinner and it was so delicious! The whole family loved it. I generally don’t leave the skin on and I did and it was so moist without being strong tasting. Definitely going to make this again. Thank you for your recipes. Every one that I have made has been terrific. Whenever I want a new recipe for salmon I check out yours. We also love the salmon cakes. It’s one of our favorites!
I love it! Thank you for your good comments, Glenda and I hope you love every recipe that you try!
Made this and it was delicious! Instead of grilling the salmon I pan fried because we had a thunder storm that night. It still came out amazing. I will definitely make it again.
That storm is rolling our way today! I love the idea of trying this on a pan, thank you for sharing that with me Cris!
Hi Natasha,
This recipe looks great! We don’t have an outdoor grill in our backyard, so I was wondering if you think I could use my George Foreman grill for this recipe. Thank you, and I love your recipes!
Hello Anna, that should work too. I hope you like it!
Hi Natasha,
You grilled it with this recipe 😉
I followed this recipe verbatim and it was delicious for Memorial day dinner. Thank you!
So great to hear that you loved it! Thanks for giving this recipe a try.
Hi Natasha, I made your chicken mango avocado salad and I loved it, so did my husband.
I don’t know how to send you the pic I took but thankyou
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Linda. You can actually share photos of your creation on our Facebook page or group!
Hi natasha! Ive tried few of your recipes and it was amazing! For this recipe, can i bake the salmon instead of grill them? Will it affect the taste?
Thanks for sharing that Zee. You can also try these baked salmon recipes.
Natasha, I have made so many of your recipes and they ALWAYS turn out great! I had salmon defrosting in my fridge and low and behold I got your email with this recipe! I made it and it was delicious! I never had any doubt. I also LOVE the way you do the videos to make sure that we don’t mess up. 🙂 Not to mention that you are such a pleasure. You’ve become my go to for recipes and tips. Thank you!
What a perfect timing! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for your great feedback JC!
My favorite salmon is blackened. Do you have the directions for doing that???
Hi Hal, I haven’t tested that with this recipe exactly to advise. If you experiment, please let me know how you like that.
this looks so tasty i cant wait to make it! i also love the edits you use in your videos!
Thank you for that wonderful compliment! you’re so nice!
mmmm..this salmon sounds incredibly delicious!! And that garlic lime butter is just amazing!
I hope you try it soon! Thank you for that great review!
I LOVE salmon! I can’t wait to use this recipe!
Thanks Beth! I hope this grilled salmon and especially that butter becomes a new favorite for you.
The perfect recipe for grilling season! My whole family loved it.
I’m so glad to hear that you all loved the salmon. Thank you for the wonderful review.
We love salmon and this is the only way I’ll make it now! So tender, flaky, delicious, and FAST! I use ghee in mine and it’s perfect. I brush the mixture on the skin side as well so it doesn’t stick to the grill. Thanks for the recipe and tips!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
I believe your temp. Setting is not good. I tried and it didn’t worked. Maybe you should specified distance from the burners or coal to the salmon. I end up using 500 degrees in the second rack. The upper rack for about three minutes each side.
Hi Ricardo, 500 degrees is too hot for salmon. As a general rule of thumb, medium heat = 350, medium/high = 400, and high heat = 450-500. At 500, you would definitely want them on the upper rack or they would burn. I had the temperature in the recipe card, but will update that in the post to specify and thank you for pointing that out.
As always, this recipe is so delicious!!
Thank you for that great review!
Question: Do you think it would still be tasty to substitute EVOO in place of butter for someone on the Mediterranean diet following heart surgery?
Hi Libby, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
My husband is not a very good cook but he made this Salmon recipe and we were all shocked it turned out so well. Luckily he grilled it on a piece of foil since it did kind of fall apart but it was still delicious. I had the leftovers in a salad for lunch today. He followed the recipe but we didn’t have dill.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Susan!
Hi Natasha my name is Emely and I’m sure I’m just a kid but I love all your recipes can you please tell me which one is the easiest .
Hi Emely, thank you for taking the time to write in! If you follow this link here about halfway down the post you will find some of our popular and easier recipes. I hope this helps!
Question how do you “smash” garlic ?
Hi Jen, I smash it with the blunt end of a knife, just crush it so it can release flavor and so you can fish it out of the butter easily later.
This was incredibly good and so easy to make! Love it!
I’m so happy to hear you loved grilled salmon recipe! Thank you for the awesome review and have a great 4th of July week!
This salmon looks so delicious! I can’t wait to make it soon!
I hope you love it! We look forward to your feedback.
Easy to make and so delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Melissa!
So excited that I have everything to make this! Loving this all summer long.
That’s the best! Thank you for that awesome review, Jen!
Can I make this in the oven? I don’t have a grill 🙁
Hi Michelle, yes you could bake this in the oven instead following these baking instructions.
Thanks for the tip about the oven. Love you and your recipes.
You’re welcome!
Such a great idea to use skin on salmon for grilling. It was always frustrating for me when pieces of the salmon would break off and fall through the grate. This is my new favorite way to grill salmon!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Kara!
nice food i loved it
I’m so happy you are enjoying that! Thank yoU!
Just made this salmon tonight and everyone absolutely LOVED it!!! Thank you for the amazing recipe!
That’s so great Miriam! I’m happy you all enjoyed that!
This looks amazing!!! Can I use lemon instead of lime? If so same amount?
Hi Natasha, yes lemon would still work well here 🙂
I love it so much. Mouthwatering food.
I totally agree Ellie! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your excellent review!
I love it so much. Mouthwatering food. Its the bright color of salmon. Cant wait to try it….
It is so easy to make and so delicious too! Please let me know what you think!
Why unsalted butter. Just healthier or does it affect taste?
Hi Mark, I always purchase unsalted butter for cooking and baking so I can control how much salt goes into the recipe. You can absolutely use salted butter but you probably want to cut back on the salt in the recipe if you do that.
just love the recipe… awesome
I’m glad you like it Lena! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I made this today and it was to die for! So so flavorful and fresh tasting with the lime. I baked it because it didn’t have the time to grill, and it was amazing. Thank you!
You’re welcome Ema! I’m glad to hear you love this recipe! Thanks for sharing your excellent review!
My husband and I recently changed our diet to mostly seafood, and sometimes baked or grilled chicken. I really appreciate this recipe. It looks like it will be divine!!! Can’t wait to get the grill going tomorrow! What sides do you suggest?
Hi Jessica, my favorite thing to serve with salmon is asparagus and here is our go-to recipe. Rice or potatoes would also be very good. It’s really hard to narrow it down wit this one because it pairs well with so many different dishes.
Awesome recipe. I tired it and it was really so great. I have even suggested it to my cook.
I’m happy to hear you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review! 🙂
No grill here, any chance this can be baked in the oven, with a similar outcome?
Hi Sharon, yes you could bake this in the oven instead following these baking instructions.
Can’t wait to try it out! Your other oven baked salmon recipe is my go to recipe when cooking salmon. But will try this out for sure! Actually all I ever do is look at your site for recipe ideas. Never been disappointed! Love them all. Thank you very much for making me a better chef 🙂
Thank YOU Greg for following! Please let me know what you think of this recipe when you decide to try it!
Great! i must commend this meal. would love to add this to my rice in the evening. great recipe natasha.
I hope you love it!
It was classy! You are a good Chef.
Thank you so much!
Hi Natasha,
Just from looking at the pictures i imagine how it smells right from grill, and that is exactly how i prefer to eat salmon.
Trying this recipe tomorrow!
Great pictures, as always! What camera do you use and what lens? Is that same that you use for photographing your children?
Hi Olga! I do love how salmon smells on the grill. It’s tantalizing!! I use a canon 6d and for food I use a 100mm lens. For kids I use a 50mm lens more. 🙂 I have more info on these in the resources section of my blog.
Another great recipe. I wish I could hire you to be my chef. I love your recipes
I’m happy to hear you love them! Thanks for following Vicki and sharing your great review!
OMG, I’m going to eat my laptop, it looks soo delicious!! How did you take that picture with fire without actually burning the salmon? 🙂
Ha ha!! That happens to me all the time late at night when I’m hungrily looking at pictures of food. It was a good catch with the photo – right as the flame shot up between the salmon filets. The flame died down quickly 🙂
This looks so delicious!!
Thank you Sara! 🙂
Your garlic lime butter sounds fantastic! In the past, my fish tastes, how do I say this…?!? Hmmm. Fishy. You know. Not very good! But if you’re 2-year-old eats it, that’s good enough for me because I’m as picky as a 2-year-old.
Yes!! I completely agree!
My mouth is watering for a this – especially that juicy second photo!! I love the combo of lime and dill.
Oh it is so delicious. The flavors work really well together, especially on salmon! Thanks Natalie!
Recently found you. Really enjoy the videos…you are fun and the food looks AMAZING!
Thank you for that wonderful review, Peter! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!