Description
This Grilled Salmon Recipe with Garlic Lime Butter features tender salmon fillets grilled to perfection and smothered in a flavorful garlic, lime, and dill butter sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy and elegant seafood dish perfect for a healthy family dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (8 Tbsp)
- 4 cloves garlic (smashed, not pressed)
- 2 Tbsp lime juice (from 1 lime) plus lime wedges to serve
- 2 Tbsp dill (chopped, plus more for garnish)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Salmon
- 2 lbs salmon filet (skin-on, cut into 6 portions)
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Lime Butter Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the 1/2 cup butter. Smash 4 garlic cloves using the flat side of a knife and add them to the melted butter along with 1 teaspoon sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the chopped dill and 2 tablespoons lime juice, then immediately remove the sauce from heat to preserve freshness.
- Marinate Salmon: Arrange salmon fillets skin-side down on a platter. Spoon one-third of the prepared butter sauce onto the salmon, brushing it evenly over the tops. Allow the salmon to marinate in the sauce while you preheat the grill.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to medium heat (350°F to 400°F). Oil the hot grill grates to prevent sticking before placing the salmon on them.
- Grill Salmon - First Side: Place the salmon fillets on the grill skin-side up. Cover and cook undisturbed over medium heat for about 3 minutes, allowing a nice sear to form.
- Flip and Continue Grilling: Carefully flip the salmon using a spatula and tongs, then brush an additional one-third of the butter sauce over the cooked side. Cover and grill for another 2 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. The salmon will continue to cook once off the grill, reaching the ideal temperature of 145°F.
- Serve: Transfer the salmon to a serving platter. Drizzle the remaining one-third of the garlic lime butter sauce over the fillets. If the sauce has solidified, heat it gently on the stovetop until melted. Garnish with fresh dill and serve alongside lime wedges for squeezing over the salmon.
Notes
- Do not press garlic cloves; smashing them releases flavors better without overwhelming bitterness.
- Cooking salmon skin-side up first helps achieve a perfectly crisp exterior.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure salmon is cooked perfectly to an internal temperature of 145°F for safety and optimal texture.
- Oil the grill grates well to prevent salmon from sticking and tearing.
- Allowing the salmon to marinate briefly enhances flavor and moistness.
- Butter sauce can be reheated gently if it hardens after cooling.
- Adjust grilling times slightly depending on the thickness of the salmon portions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
