Name: Sweet and Savory Grilled Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Soy Marinade Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: PT-493573H16M26S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds salmon fillets; Lemon pepper, to taste; Garlic powder, to taste; Salt, to taste; ⅓ cup soy sauce; ⅓ cup brown sugar; ⅓ cup water; ¼ cup vegetable oil

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Introduction

This grilled salmon is a deliciously simple dish featuring a sweet and savory marinade made with soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon, and garlic. It’s perfect for a quick weekday dinner or a weekend cookout and is loved by both adults and kids alike.

A white plate with two main parts: on the right, a single grilled salmon fillet with dark brown grill marks running diagonally across its light orange-pink flesh, showing a slightly crispy texture on top; on the left, a small stack of grilled zucchini and yellow squash slices, each slice showing light browning with some charring, the green zucchini slices having a slightly shiny and soft texture, and the yellow squash slices more matte with visible seeds in the center. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds salmon fillets
Lemon pepper to taste

Garlic powder to taste
Salt to taste

⅓ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup brown sugar

⅓ cup water
¼ cup vegetable oil

Instructions

Step 1: Season the salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt evenly on both sides.

Step 2: In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil until the sugar dissolves completely.
Step 3: Place the seasoned salmon in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour in the soy sauce mixture, seal the bag, and turn to coat the salmon thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to marinate.
Step 4: Preheat your grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grill grate to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Remove the salmon from the marinade, discarding the marinade. Place the salmon on the grill and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Step 6: Serve the grilled salmon immediately and enjoy with your favorite sides.

Tips & Variations

For added flavor, try adding freshly minced garlic or a splash of fresh lemon juice to the marinade before grilling.

Serve with grilled zucchini, corn, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
If you don’t have an outdoor grill, you can cook the salmon under the broiler in your oven using a broiler-safe pan.
Use skin-on salmon fillets to help hold the fish together during grilling.

Storage

Store any leftover grilled salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave briefly to avoid drying out the fish.

How to Serve

The image shows a white plate with two main parts: on the right side is a piece of grilled salmon with clear dark grill lines crossing it diagonally, its surface is shiny and pinkish-orange with a cooked texture. On the left side, there are round slices of grilled zucchini and yellow squash, browned in spots from the grill, arranged in a small pile, showing green edges and pale green or yellow centers with slight charring. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, and to the lower right side of the plate, part of a fork is visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I marinate the salmon for longer than 2 hours?

Yes, you can marinate the salmon for up to 4 hours for a stronger flavor, but avoid marinating much longer as the soy sauce’s saltiness may start to cure the fish and affect its texture.

What if I don’t have a grill?

If you don’t have a grill, you can bake the salmon in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes or broil it using your oven’s broiler feature, watching closely to avoid burning.