Grilled Barbecued Salmon

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Sep. 19, 2023
For a beautiful blend of sweet and spicy, this salmon is grilled and basted with barbecue sauce enhanced by brown sugar and hints of chili, soy sauce and lime.—Country Woman Test Kitchen
Grilled Barbecued Salmon Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients; set aside 1/4 cup for serving.
  2. Place salmon on an oiled grill rack. Grill salmon, covered, over medium-high heat (or broil 3-4 in. from the heat) for 5 minutes. Turn; brush with barbecue sauce mixture. Grill until fish just beings to flake easily with a fork, about 5 minutes longer, brushing occasionally with barbecue sauce mixture.
  3. Top with reserved sauce; sprinkle with cilantro.
Grilled Barbecued Salmon Tips

Should you use skin-on or skinless salmon fillets?

If you're just starting to learn how to cook salmon, or more specifically, how to grill salmon, then easy salmon recipes like this one are a great place to start. Grilled barbecue salmon could be made with skin-on or skinless salmon—it's really a matter of personal preference in this case. The skin will crisp up while grilling, and some folks like to eat the skin while others peel it away even after it's cooked. The skin also helps protect the tender flesh from overcooking.

Do you have to flip salmon on the grill?

In general, salmon doesn't need to be flipped when you're cooking it on the grill. However, this barbecue salmon recipe is specifically written to turn the salmon, since it's brushed with a sauce. If you are working with skin-on fillets, start with the skin side up. That way, when the salmon is flipped and brushed with the sauce, the brush won't come in contact with raw salmon for improved food safety.

How do you know when barbecue salmon is done?

Salmon is done when the flesh just begins to flake easily with a fork. The USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145°, but consider removing the fillets from the grill before then. The temperature of the salmon will continue to rise several degrees even after it's removed from this heat.

What do you serve with barbecue salmon?

Serve this dish with one or two side dishes for salmon, like roasted asparagus, sauteed green beans or rice pilaf. Since the salmon is grilled, you might consider grilled side dish recipes to cook the entire meal at once. And don't forget to pick up a bottle of vino—specifically choosing a wine that goes well with salmon to enhance the flavors of the dish.

—Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 fillet: 383 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 915mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 0 fiber), 29g protein.