Grilling salmon fillets: What you should know to ensure your salmon tastes uniquely delicious and juicy

Are you about to try something new and want to grill a salmon fillet?

Are you passionate about grilling and do you enjoy those moments with family or friends during a barbecue? The highlight of the evening is, of course, the delicious food, such as chicken, steak, sausages, and much more... But how would it be if you could surprise your guests with something special? Grilling a salmon fillet is a great surprise and it tastes wonderfully delicious! Here you will learn how to make the perfect salmon fillet.

Things to know about salmon

• Shorter cooking times! Fish has a softer muscle structure than meat and therefore cooks faster.
• When choosing your salmon fillet, make sure you don't buy it too thin. Thin fillet pieces dry out quickly and are therefore less suitable for grilling.
• Salmon has a high fat content and firm, thick meat, which is excellent for grilling. This keeps the fillet juicy and aromatic during the grilling process.
• Salmon fillets absorb many flavors, making them perfect if you want to further refine the taste.
• If you decide to fire up the grill spontaneously, you can simply take the fillet out of the freezer 1-2 hours in advance to let it thaw. If the salmon is still a little frozen just before grilling, you can still place it on the grill without any problems.
• A serving of salmon fillet is calculated at approx. 200g. If your guests have a big appetite, it can, of course, be a little more.

The right seasoning for grilling salmon fillets

A salmon fillet tastes delicious even without spices and marinades, but the right seasoning is the finishing touch for every salmon fillet.

You can keep it very subtle and use a fish seasoning, or you can prepare a marinade and let the fish soak in it for about 3 hours.

The right base for grilling salmon fillets

In general, fish sticks to the grill grate much more strongly than normal meat. Therefore, it makes sense to use a fish basket or another surface when grilling salmon fillets.

Alternatively, you can use a piece of aluminum foil or a grill tray. Make sure to close the ends of the aluminum foil so that not too much liquid is lost. If you want to enjoy a juicy salmon fillet, you should ideally use a base.

A cedar wood plank or a salt block is particularly suitable, as they add an extra aroma to the salmon fillet and thus provide an even better taste to enjoy.

How to grill a salmon fillet

First, place the oil-brushed skin side onto the grill. Cook at a temperature of about 180-200°C over indirect heat for 2-3 minutes. The salmon fillet should only be turned once, otherwise, there is a risk that the fillet will fall apart. Leave the other side for about 2 minutes as well; it can, of course, be shorter or longer. The exact cooking time always depends on the thickness of the salmon fillet and the temperature of the grill.

Grilling salmon fillets with a unique aroma

One of the most popular ways to grill a salmon fillet is on a cedar wood plank. Also known as "planked salmon." This is a special delicacy and a secret tip among grilling professionals. The special thing about a salmon fillet is that it remains wonderfully juicy and the cedar wood plank additionally imparts an incomparably delicious aroma to the salmon. If you would like to know more about this, you can view this blog post: BLOG POST: SMOKING PLANK