Sesame Grilled Salmon

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This sesame grilled salmon is a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami. The sesame-soy marinade enhances the natural flavor of the salmon without overpowering it, and grilling gives it a slightly smoky, caramelized crust. It’s quick to prepare, ideal for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts, and pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or a crisp salad. Plus, it’s packed with protein and omega-3s, making it a deliciously smart choice.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Garlic (minced)
• Fresh ginger (grated)
• Honey or brown sugar
• Rice vinegar or lime juice
• Green onions (sliced)
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Salt (optional)
• Black pepper

Directions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, honey, and rice vinegar to create the marinade.
2. Place salmon fillets in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the salmon, coating well. Marinate in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes.
3. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Oil the grates to prevent sticking.
4. Remove salmon from marinade and let excess drip off. Season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
5. Grill the salmon, skin-side down (if using skin-on), for 4–5 minutes. Flip carefully and cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and has nice grill marks.
6. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
7. Serve immediately with your choice of sides.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4.
Prep time: 10 minutes (plus marinating)
Cook time: 8–10 minutes
Total time: 25–40 minutes

Variations

• Spicy Version: Add sriracha or chili flakes to the marinade for a bit of heat.
• Ginger-Lime Twist: Swap rice vinegar with fresh lime juice and add extra zest for brightness.
• Honey Garlic: Increase the honey and garlic in the marinade for a sweeter, more robust flavor.
• Baked Option: Bake the salmon at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes instead of grilling.
• Salmon Bowls: Serve over rice or noodles with steamed vegetables and drizzle with extra sauce.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 300°F until just heated through. Avoid microwaving at high power, as it can dry out the fish.
Leftover salmon is also great cold in salads or rice bowls.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon?

Yes, just make sure it’s fully thawed and patted dry before marinating and grilling.

What’s the best cut of salmon to use?

Fillets with skin-on hold up well on the grill, but you can use skinless if preferred. Center-cut portions cook more evenly.

Do I need to marinate the salmon?

Marinating adds flavor but isn’t required. Even a quick 15-minute soak makes a difference.

How do I know when salmon is done?

The flesh should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Internal temperature should be 125–130°F for medium.

Can I grill this without a grill?

Yes, a grill pan on the stovetop or a broiler in the oven can give you similar results.

What sides go well with sesame grilled salmon?

Steamed rice, sautéed greens, sesame noodles, or cucumber salad all pair beautifully with this dish.

Can I make extra marinade to use as a sauce?

Yes, but make a separate batch or boil leftover marinade for a few minutes to ensure it’s safe to use as a sauce.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Use gluten-free soy sauce (such as tamari) to make this recipe fully gluten-free.

Can I use other fish?

Yes, tuna, cod, or mahi-mahi also work well with this sesame marinade and grilling method.

How do I toast sesame seeds?

Add them to a dry skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring often, for 2–3 minutes until golden and fragrant.

Conclusion

Sesame Grilled Salmon is a simple yet elegant dish that brings bold flavor and beautiful presentation to your table. With its quick prep, balanced marinade, and deliciously charred exterior, it’s a go-to recipe for healthy, flavorful meals. Whether you’re grilling outdoors or using a pan indoors, this salmon is sure to become a household favorite.

Sesame Grilled Salmon

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Sesame Grilled Salmon is a quick, healthy, and flavorful dish where tender salmon fillets are marinated in a savory sesame-soy blend, then grilled to perfection and topped with toasted sesame seeds and green onions. Perfect for weeknight meals or summer cookouts.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 15–30 minutes marinating)
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25–40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Oil for greasing the grill

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, honey, and rice vinegar to make the marinade.
2. Place salmon fillets in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour marinade over the salmon and refrigerate for 15–30 minutes.
3. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
4. Remove salmon from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
5. Grill salmon skin-side down (if using skin-on) for 4–5 minutes. Flip and grill another 3–4 minutes until cooked through and flaky.
6. Transfer to a plate. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
7. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Notes

• Make extra marinade separately if you’d like to drizzle sauce over the finished dish.
• Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
• Grill pan or broiler are great alternatives if you don’t have an outdoor grill.
• Leftover salmon is great served cold in salads or grain bowls.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 620mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 75mg