Our 7 Favorite Salmon Recipes You’ve Got to Try

Salmon is one of the superfoods of the sea! Full of rich vitamins and essential nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, it’s one of the best sources of protein you’ll find. It also has antioxidant elements like selenium and other minerals like phosphorus, zinc, and potassium.

Ready to get more salmon in your diet? Check out some of these delicious salmon recipes we compiled, and get ready to take dinner to the next level!

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Grilled Salmon Recipes

Grilled Teriyaki Salmon

Sweet and savory, this teriyaki salmon on the grill makes me think of summer dinners.

Begin by preparing the sauce. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, ¼ cup of low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of honey, ¼ teaspoon of minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.

Next, place your four salmon fillets in a large zip-lock bag. Pour half of the sauce you just prepared into the bag with the salmon, making sure to reserve the remaining sauce for later. Allow the salmon to marinate in this mixture for at least 1 hour.

As the salmon marinates, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F. To prevent the salmon from sticking, rub the grill grates with oil or spray with a non-stick cooking spray.

Once the grill is hot, place the salmon on the grill over direct heat. Let it cook for about 4 to 6 minutes per side until it’s cooked through and easily flakes apart. Remove the salmon from the grill once it’s done.

While the salmon is grilling, heat the remaining sauce that you reserved earlier in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk it continuously and allow it to heat for about 7 to 9 minutes until it thickens.

Finally, brush this thickened glaze over the grilled salmon. Top the salmon with sesame seeds and diced green onions. Yum!

Mediterranean Salmon Skewers

Skewers on the grill are one of my favorite ways to cook in the summer.

Take a 2-pound salmon fillet and remove the skin, then chop the filet into 1 to 2-inch chunks. Next, juice two lemons and slice one, making sure to remove and discard any seeds. Thinly slice a large zucchini and a small red onion, either with a sharp knife or using a mandoline for even, thin slices.

Once your ingredients are prepped, place the cubed salmon, sliced zucchini, sliced onion, and lemon slices into a large prep bowl. To this, add the lemon juice, ⅓ cup of olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon of cumin, ½ teaspoon of chili powder, ¼ teaspoon of coriander, 1 teaspoon of thyme, 1 teaspoon of oregano, ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon of dill, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and ⅔ cup of grape tomatoes. Toss everything together until it’s well combined, then cover the bowl with foil and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 20 minutes, or as long as 2 hours.

When your salmon and vegetables have marinated sufficiently, spray six 12-inch metal skewers with cooking spray. Thread the salmon, vegetables, and lemon slices onto the skewers, alternating between ingredients.

Spray your grill with cooking spray and heat it to 350°F. Once the grill is heated, place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side. You’ll know the salmon is done when it turns pink and shows a bit of charring. Once the salmon kabobs are fully cooked, remove them from the grill.

Serve the kabobs warm, preferably with some tangy tzatziki sauce for dipping.

My Go-to Easy Dinner

This one didn’t fit into any of the other categories, but I had to include the recipe because it’s my absolute favorite go-to dinner. The trick is to go heavy on the olive oil and garlic, as it keeps the salmon extra juicy. Seriously, everyone who’s tried this salmon has asked me for the recipe! I serve mine with a side of crispy, garlic parmesan Brussels sprouts, too!

Cold Salmon Recipes

Greek Salmon Salad

This fresh, light, and easy recipe with Mediterranean flavors will take the top spot as your go-to salad.

Start by preparing the salmon. Take the 1 pound of salmon filets and season them generously with fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper. Then, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick sauté pan. Position the salmon filets in the pan with the flesh side down and allow them to cook undisturbed for approximately 3-4 minutes, or until they reach a golden hue. Flip the filets and let them cook on the other side for about 2-4 more minutes, until the salmon reaches your desired level of doneness and easily flakes with a fork.

Keep in mind that the exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon. After cooking, transfer the salmon to a clean plate and set it aside.

Next, combine the cooked salmon with 2 ounces of fresh arugula, 1 large chopped red bell pepper, half of an English cucumber cut into bite-sized pieces, half of a thinly sliced small red onion, 2/3 cup of roasted pepitas, and 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of Greek dressing evenly over the salad mixture, then gently toss everything to combine.

To serve, garnish the salad with 1 sliced or diced avocado along with any extra feta cheese and/or pepitas you wish to add.

Bagels and Lox

Bagels and lox is the perfect brunch for those days when eggs and bacon just won’t cut it.

Start by slicing and toasting an everything bagel, then spread 2 tablespoons of whipped cream cheese evenly on each half. Top each cream cheese-covered bagel half with 2 ounces of smoked salmon or lox. On top of the salmon or lox, add 3 slices of cucumber and 1 slice of thinly sliced red onion per half. Scatter 1-2 teaspoons of drained capers over the red onion slices.

Next, season your bagel halves with salt and pepper to taste. Then, squeeze fresh lemon juice to taste over the toppings. Lastly, garnish each bagel half with fresh dill to taste.

Sweet Salmon Recipes

Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

Once you try this sweet glaze, you’ll never want your salmon any other way.

Begin by patting dry 1 ½ lb. of skin-on salmon fillets, ensuring they are about 1.5 inches thick. Season the fillets with salt and ground black pepper, or adjust to taste. Allow the salmon filets to sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Once ready, sear the salmon fillets for about 5-6 minutes on each side, starting with the skin side up, until they are golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate.

In a small bowl, create a sauce by whisking together 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of honey, ¼ cup of water, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Set this sauce aside for later use.

Next, using the same skillet, sauté 1 tablespoon of finely chopped garlic over medium heat for about 1 minute or until it becomes fragrant. Then, pour in the sauce mixture you set aside earlier, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Keep stirring the mixture until it thickens to your desired consistency.

Finally, return the cooked salmon filets to the skillet, tossing them well in the sauce to ensure they’re evenly coated. Garnish the dish with 1 tablespoon of finely chopped green onions and serve it warm. This dish pairs excellently with a bowl of steamed rice.

Baked Pineapple Salmon

This recipe has a sweet and spicy flavor you just can’t beat.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Next, line a large-rimmed baking pan with foil and lightly grease it with cooking spray. Arrange the slices from a drained can of pineapple in an even layer in the center of the pan.

Take a large salmon fillet, about 3 lbs, and season it on both sides with salt and pepper. Then, place the seasoned salmon fillet on top of the pineapple slices.

In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of melted butter, 2 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped cilantro, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger, 2 teaspoons of toasted sesame oil, and ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined. Brush this mixture thoroughly over the salmon, making sure to use all of the sauce.

Bake the salmon in the preheated oven until it’s cooked through, which should take about 25 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 145°F when inserted into the thickest part of the fillet. After baking, switch your oven to the broil setting and broil the salmon for about 2 minutes until it turns slightly golden.

To finish, garnish the salmon with sliced green onions and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Start Serving Up Salmon!

Now that you’ve got some ideas for salmon recipes, you’re ready to start making a healthy, flavorful dinner that the whole family will love. Whether you like it grilled, smoked, or baked, this versatile fish is a crowd-pleaser!