How To Grill Salmon: Grilling Times and Healthy Recipes

Salmon is great on the grill and good for you! Its relatively high fat content (for fish!) means it can stand up to grilling with less chance of drying out than some of its leaner relatives. The following steps will guide you through the process of grilling salmon to perfection. For more grilled salmon recipes, as well as countless other seafood and grilling recipes (over 100 different cookbooks), I recommend The E-Cookbooks Library.

So, how do I grill salmon? And how long do I grill salmon?

1. Choose salmon filets about one inch thick.
2. Remove skin if desired. Some people prefer to grill it with skin intact and then season or sauce afterward, but if you want to pre-season, it's best to remove skin first so the salmon fish is seasoned on both sides.
3. Season to taste. Try simple seasonings like salt, pepper and dill, or sprinkle with Old Bay or similar seasoning. There is a myriad of fish-specific seasonings to choose from now, and many supermarkets now offer free marinades or seasonings sprinkled on fish and seafood at the time of purchase. Do not let salmon or any other fish sit in a marinade more than 15 minutes before cooking, as the acidic ingredients will begin to break down the flesh and make it mushy.
   
   
4. Preheat the grill to medium-high. Grilling salmon a gas grill is ideal, but other grills will be fine.Optional: wrap the grill rack in heavy-duty aluminum foil. This is not necessary for salmon, mahi mahi, shark or tuna because they are meaty enough not to fall through most grill grates, but it provides an extra layer of comfort for some grillers.
5. Lightly oil the grill rack, two-sided grilling basket or aluminum foil.
6. Cook the fish until opaque, turning once during cooking. This will not take long, about 8 to 10 minutes, so watch it carefully. Make sure that no flame touches the fish directly.
7. Here's one of my favorite grilled salmon tips: a great sauce for simply prepared salmon: bring 1/2 cup dry white wine to a simmer in a small saucepan. Stir in 1/2 container herb and garlic cream cheese, Alouette, Pub Cheese or Boursin. Stir constantly until melted and smooth. Taste. If desired, add more cheese or wine to taste. Don't like wine? Use milk.
8. For an alternative preparation, make large rectangles of aluminum foil and center a filet in each one. This healthy salmon recipe calls for sprinkling the grilled salmon fillet with lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper and dill. Fold foil tightly and grill salmon for 10 minutes over medium heat in the pouch. Serve with boiled red potatoes!