Easy Grilled Salmon

by KetoFocus.com

Whether you follow the keto diet (or not), anyone can grill salmon and it is the perfect main dish!

5 Stars (1 Reviews)
5 Ingredients or LessCarnivoreDairy FreeEasySeafood

Grilled salmon is healthy, tasty, and easy to cook. It is the perfect summer entrée for friends, family, the health-conscious, as well as the foodie. This simple keto salmon recipe takes less than 10 minutes to prep and cook leaving you time to enjoy the long warm nights while eating a delicious keto dinner.

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Nutrition Facts

2

Servings

270

Calories

16g

Fat

29g

Protein

1.3g

Net Carb

1.7g

Total Carbs

grilled salmon fillet served with asapargus on a plate
Turning to healthier food shouldn’t mean compromising love for food and settling for less tasty dishes. This easy keto grilled salmon recipe proves that nourishing meals can also have moreish flavors. Serve with some grilled asparagus and you have a complete meal, whether you follow the keto diet or not.

Apart from being mouth-watering, salmon is also a punch-pack of healthy fats, which makes it extremely keto-friendly. This fat is useful when you are trying to reach ketosis. Note that fat is different from carbs, which is a big no-no when you are trying to detoxify and focus on nutrition.

What’s more? keto salmon recipe needs no ingredients, just salt, pepper, garlic, and lemon for seasoning. These are all ingredients found in your pantry. This grilled salmon recpe is simple. The simplicity doesn’t take away from the natural flavors of a juicy, flaky salmon fillet – it just amplifies it. It makes a delicious easy keto dinner recipe with little effort.

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How to cook salmon on the grill?

Cooking salmon on the grill is fast, easy and a great way to add rich, smoky flavor to the fish.

The key to keeping the fish nice and most, with a nice charred top is searing the fish over direct high heat first, then finishing the fish over indirect heat until it is heated through.

Salmon should be grilled on medium heat, ranging between 375°F – 400-°F. If you are using a gas grill it is very easy to control the temperature. Simply follow your grilling manual to get the desired settings. If you are using a charcoal grill, push the charcoals to one side of the grill. The side on top of the charcoals will be used for direct heat for searing. The side without the charcoals will be used to slowly finish the fish once you flip it.

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Grilled Salmon Ingredients

  • Two 4 oz salmon filets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 lemon

Easy Grilled Salmon Directions

  • STEP
    1

    Preheat grill

    Prepare the grill. If you have a gas grill, turn it to high heat. If you have a charcoal grill, set it up for partial direct high heat. When the grill is hot, clean the grates and wipe with cooking oil to prevent the fish from sticking.

    turning on a gas grill to heat up to high
  • STEP
    2

    Brush with olive oil

    Prepare the salmon by drizzling olive oil on each filet.

    brushing pink salmon fillet with olive oil and a basting brush
  • STEP
    3

    Season salmon

    Add the salt, pepper and garlic. Squeeze lemon over each filet.

    sprinkling salt on a salmon fillet
  • STEP
    4

    Grill it

    Start with the skin side up (flesh side down) and sear on direct high heat for 1-2 minutes. Use a spatula to turn the fish and place over indirect medium heat for 5-7 minutes.

    seasoned salmon grilling on a weber grill
  • STEP
    5

    Cook until fork tender

    Cook until the internal temperature of the fish reaches 145°F in the thickest part of the filet. The salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.

    flaking off salmon with a fork
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  • Easy Grilled Salmon
    • a bite of juicy salmon on a fork

    Keto salmon seasoning

    While the keto salmon recipe traditionally uses just garlic, salt and lemon, seasoning is not limited to just these three simple ingredients. Sometimes simple makes for the best results. However, you can experiment with different spices and condiments to create different flavors.
    Your grilled salmon could be a flavorful marinade of herbs like Thai Basil, garlic, onion, liquid aminos, Dijon mustard, spices, and more. It’s up to you.

    two salmon fillets on a board with seasoning next to it

    Variations of grilled salmon

    I love simply seasoned salmon on the grill, but if you are looking for a change you can try the following changes.

    • Lemon Salmon: Use lemon pepper instead of plain pepper and top the fish with lemon slices after searing.
    • Spicy Salmon: Top your salmon filets with pepper, paprika and cayenne pepper for a spicy and smoky flavor.
    • Sesame Soy: Brush the salmon with equal parts golden monk fruit or brown Swerve and soy sauce or liquid aminos then sprinkle on some sesame seeds right before the fish finishes.

    How to prepare salmon for grilling?

    Prepping the salmon fillets to turn them into a delicious salmon dinner is easy. For starters, skip rinsing. Instead, cook the fish fillets thoroughly to kill harmful bacteria. Rinsing will only spread and splash bacteria on the kitchen sink and other food items.

    The first step when prepping the delicious, keto salmon is to remove the prickly pin bones. The best way to get rid of them is with the help of tweezers or sanitized needle-nosed pliers. Use your fingers to run across the surface of the fish to feel if any more hidden bones are left. When you locate a pin bone, bend the salmon fillet slightly, causing the bone to protrude. This way, you will be able to grasp the end of the bone with pliers/tweezers and wiggle it out.

    sprinkling black pepper on a salmon fillet

    Importance of leaving fish skin on during grilling

    When it comes to removing the salmon skin, it is only recommended to do when you are poaching. Otherwise, if you are roasting, broiling, pan-searing, or grilling, it is best to leave the skin on. The tough, fatty coat of salmon works as an effective tool against overcooking and keeps the moisture sealed.

    Additionally, leaving the skin on while cooking grilled salmon offers you additional health benefits, since it is the skin that contains the highest amount of Omega 3s. It acts as a protective layer for the nutrients and oils inside the fillet that might otherwise be lost during the cooking process.

    When grilling start cooking with the skin-side up so the skin doesn’t stick to your grill.

    a fillet of salmon grilling on a BBQ

    Other Keto Seafood Recipe

    In case you are a seafood lover like I am, here are some other keto fish recipes you should try:

    Easy Grilled Salmon: FAQS

    Is salmon keto friendly?

    Salmon is super-high in protein with no carbs, thus becoming a great addition to your keto dinner. Three ounces, or 85 grams of cooked Atlantic Wild Salmon, provides approximately 25 grams of protein and is very low in saturated fat. When you eat a fish as such, you also get doses of Vitamin D, Vitamin B, Vitamin B12, EPA, and DHA omega 3 fatty acids.

    What temp do I need to grill salmon?

    Set the grill to medium heat. If you have a grill thermometer, you will want it to read between 375°F - 400-°F before adding the salmon. If you are following this recipe, make sure you follow the sear instructions.

    How do I know when salmon is done cooking?

    Cooked salmon is done when the thickest part of the fish reaches 145°F. You can check the temperature using a meat thermometer if you want to be sure, but the easiest way to check if fish is done is by using a fork. When salmon is finished, it will become opaque and will flake easily when you place a fork in it. If your fish starts to release a white cream substance, you fish is overcooked. To test for flakiness, start by checking the thin end and finish by checking center.

    When should you season salmon?

    The timing of seasoning can make a whole lot of difference for your keto salmon dinner. Sprinkle salt too soon, the protein will break down, and the fish will lose its moisture. Therefore, salmon seasoning should be done 15 minutes before it is placed onto the grill lest it will turn too dry when cooked.

    Do I need foil for grilled salmon?

    Aluminum Foil is not required when grilling salmon, but can be used. Some variations of this recipe add butter, lemon and black pepper.

    Nutritional information & Macros

    Nutrition Information

    Easy Grilled Salmon

    Servings: 2

    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 270
    Fat 16g
    Protein 29g
    Total Carbs 1.7g
    Net Carbs 1.3g

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