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You guys know I’m obsessed with salmon! This BBQ salmon is perfectly smoky, tender, and coated in my mouthwatering homemade barbecue sauce.
Flavor That Steals the Show
- Big Flavor, Simple Steps: You’ll get restaurant-quality BBQ salmon with just a few easy ingredients and quick prep.
- Smoky, Sweet, and Saucy: The homemade barbecue sauce brings the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy.
- Perfect for the Grill: This salmon cooks up beautifully on the grill! Crispy edges, flaky inside, and loaded with flavor.
- A Crowd Favorite: I’m telling you, whether it’s a backyard cookout or a weeknight dinner, everyone’s going to ask for seconds.
BBQ Salmon Ingredients
- Frozen Salmon: You can use frozen salmon, just add a few extra minutes if grilling from frozen. For best results, thaw first and follow the recipe as written.
- BBQ Sauce: Homemade BBQ sauce is my go-to, but any style, even store-bought or something like Carolina BBQ, works great too!
How to Make BBQ Salmon
Whether you’re new to grilling or a cookout veteran, this is the perfect salmon recipe for you! You’ll end up with saucy, tender salmon in just 10 minutes.
- Prep: Prepare the grill by heating it to 450-500ºF. You will be grilling the salmon directly on the grill, so be sure to scrub your grill grates clean and lightly grease them. Brush 1 tablespoon of the homemade BBQ sauce on each of the salmon fillets.
- Cook: Once the grill is up to temperature, place each filet, skin side down, on the grill. Close the grill and grill salmon for 3-5 minutes.
- Flip and Continue to Grill: Flip the salmon, flesh side down, then cook for 2-4 minutes to get grill marks on the filet. The internal temperature of salmon should reach 145ºF, but I remove the salmon from the grill at 140ºF. It will reach temperature as it rests.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the filets from the grill and place them on a plate. Let them rest for at least 2 minutes to finish cooking. Brush additional BBQ sauce on each filet before serving. Serve with grilled vegetables.
Alyssa’s Pro Grilling Tips
- Start Skin-Side Down: Cook the BBQ salmon skin-side down first. The skin acts like a shield, helping the fish cook through without burning.
- Quick Char Only: Once you flip it, the salmon is nearly done. Just sear the top briefly for grill marks and smoky flavor. Don’t overdo it or it’ll dry out!
- Don’t Overcook: Pull it off the grill just before it’s fully done. It’ll finish cooking as it rests and stay extra juicy.
Baking BBQ Salmon in the Oven
If you don’t have a grill, you can bake this salmon in the oven!
- Preheat oven to 400ºF
- Place the salmon skin-side down on a foil-lined sheet
- Brush with BBQ sauce
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, then brush again before serving
How Long Does BBQ Salmon Last?
- In the Refrigerator: Store salmon filets in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- In the Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing this BBQ salmon, storing it in the fridge or enjoying it fresh is the best way to go!
- To Reheat: I like to heat leftovers in the oven for about 10 minutes at 300ºF. This will help keep the outside crispy but the inside tender and flaky!
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BBQ Salmon
This BBQ salmon is sweet, smoky, and perfectly grilled every time. Just two ingredients for a fast, flavorful summer dinner!
Ingredients
- 4 (6-ounce) salmon filets
- ½ cup Homemade BBQ sauce, or storebought
Instructions
- Prepare the grill by heating it to 450-500 degrees Fahrenheit. You will be grilling the salmon directly on the grill, so be sure to scrub your grill grates clean and lightly grease them.
- Brush 1 tablespoon of the ½ cup Homemade BBQ sauce, on each 4 (6-ounce) salmon filets.
- Once the grill is up to temperature, place each filet, skin side down, on the grill. Close the grill and cook them for 3-5 minutes.
- Flip the salmon, meat side down, and cook for 2-4 minutes to get grill marks on the filet. The internal temperature of salmon should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit, but I remove the salmon from the grill at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It will reach temperature as it rests.
- Remove the filets from the grill and place them on a plate. Let them rest for at least 2 minutes to finish cooking.
- Brush the remaining BBQ sauce on each filet before serving. Serve with grilled vegetables.
Notes
Store the cooked salmon filets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I don’t recommend freezing this BBQ salmon, storing it in the fridge or enjoying it fresh is the best way to go!
Nutrition
Serving: 1filetCalories: 63kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 0.5gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 369mgPotassium: 88mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 80IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
What to Serve With BBQ Salmon
While the grill’s hot, toss on some fresh veggies too! Grilling brings out their natural flavor, and they pair perfectly with BBQ salmon. Try one and see for yourself!
