Name: Grilled Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cloves minced garlic; 1 tablespoon lemon juice ((from ½ lemon)); 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh rosemary; 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; 4 (6-ounce) salmon filets; Butter spray ((we used I Can't Believe It's Not Butter))

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Garlic Butter Salmon is a simple and healthy dish you’ll want to be making all summer long! This easy salmon recipe is one of the best and most flavorful. The garlic lemon butter salmon is so light and tasty, and it is just perfect paired with our grilled lemon butter asparagus!

grilled salmon fillets on a serving platter

Why We Love This Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Salmon is so easy to make, which is just one of the reasons I love it so much! This garlic butter salmon only needs a few minutes of prep, and then a few minutes on the grill. A healthy meal in just 35 minutes! Serve it with grilled asparagus or your favorite side dish to finish it off.

Easy. This recipe takes just 35 minutes total, and only 10 minutes on the grill.
Healthy. Salmon is packed with omega-3s and lean protein!
Flavorful. The lemon garlic butter adds so much flavor to this simple grilled fish.

Variations on Garlic Lemon Butter Salmon

This recipe works great with Arctic Char, pollack, halibut, or cod. Feel free to swap out the butter spray for an olive oil spray, or brush on olive oil or melted butter instead. Just be sure to be liberal with the fat so the fish doesn’t stick!

salmon fillets and asparagus in grill pans

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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover garlic butter salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy cold on salads or in wraps, or reheat in a 275°F oven for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze garlic butter salmon in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 4 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Since you’ve already got the grill out, serve this delicious garlic butter salmon with grilled asparagus, grilled potato wedges, or our favorite mind blowing grilled corn salad!

More Salmon Recipes To Try

Notes from the Test Kitchen

Salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F before consuming. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the filet. Salmon cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it.

5-Star Review

“Made this dish tonight and it was a hit, even the little ones said it was the best EVER!! Will definately be making this again!” -Amy

Recipe Card

Grilled Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

4.82 from 22 votes

Prep: 5

Cook: 10

Chill Time: 20

Total: 35

Servings:

Author: Becky Hardin

Garlic Butter Salmon is a simple and healthy dish you'll want to be making all summer long! This easy grilled salmon recipe is one of the best and most flavorful. The garlic lemon butter salmon is so light and tasty, and it is just perfect paired with our grilled lemon butter asparagus!

Print Rate Pin

Looking for an easy grilled salmon recipe to make this summer? Then you're going to love this delicious Garlic Butter Salmon!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Equipment

Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Mortar and Pestle

Ingredients

▢ 2 cloves minced garlic
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice (from ½ lemon)
▢ 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh rosemary
▢ 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
▢ 4 (6-ounce) salmon filets
▢ Butter spray (we used I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)

Instructions

Preheat the grill and spray a grill pan liberally with butter spray (or nonstick spray).
In a small bowl or mortar and pestle, combine the garlic, lemon juice, rosemary, salt and pepper. Use the pestle or the end of a small glass to crush the garlic and rosemary into the lemon juice, creating a paste.
2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Spread the garlic paste over each piece of salmon, using it all. Allow to chill in the fridge for 20 minutes with the paste over the salmon.
4 (6-ounce) salmon filets
Remove salmon from the fridge and spray each piece of salmon 4 times with butter spray.
Butter spray
Flip the salmon over so it's skin side up on the grill pan and spray the bottom of each piece with more butter spray.
Grill, covered, for 4-5 minutes, then flip each salmon filet. Spray again with butter spray (about 2 sprays per filet) and cover again, cooking for an additional 6-8 minutes.
Once salmon is fully cooked through (it will be flakey and have an internal temp of at least 145°F), remove it from the grill and serve.

Becky’s Tips

Salmon should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F before consuming. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the filet. Salmon cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it.

Storage: Store garlic butter salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Serving: 1filetCalories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 34gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 657mgPotassium: 850mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 84IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Garlic Butter Salmon Step by Step

Make the Seasoning: Preheat the grill and spray a grill pan liberally with butter spray (or nonstick spray). In a small bowl or mortar and pestle, combine 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of minced rosemary, 1 teaspoon of coarse sea salt, and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper. Use the pestle or the end of a small glass to crush the garlic and rosemary into the lemon juice, creating a paste.

a hand grinding herbs in a white mortar and pestle.

Season and Chill the Salmon: Spread the garlic paste over 4 (6-ounce) salmon filets, using it all. Allow to chill in the fridge for 20 minutes with the paste over the salmon.

Grill the Salmon: Remove salmon from the fridge and spray each piece of salmon 4 times with butter spray. Flip the salmon over so it’s skin side up on the grill pan and spray the bottom of each piece with more butter spray. Grill, covered, for 4-5 minutes, then flip each salmon filet. Spray again with butter spray (about 2 sprays per filet) and cover again, cooking for an additional 6-8 minutes. Once salmon is fully cooked through (it will be flakey and have an internal temp of at least 145°F), remove it from the grill and serve.