Sweet, savory, and perfectly caramelized on the grill — this easy salmon recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with just a few pantry ingredients.
Why This Recipe Works
This Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar Grilled Salmon has been a family favorite for over two decades, and it’s easy to see why. A simple marinade of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and lemon pepper transforms salmon fillets into juicy, flaky bites of heaven — all with just 10 minutes of prep and about 10 minutes of grilling.
Whether you’re serving this up on a busy weeknight or adding it to your summer BBQ lineup, this dish brings bold flavor with minimal effort. The sweet-salty marinade caramelizes beautifully on the grill, giving the fish a sticky glaze and crisp edges while keeping the inside tender and moist.
What Makes It Special
- Fast & easy: 20 minutes total cooking time (not including marinating).
- Perfect flavor balance: Sweet brown sugar meets salty soy sauce with a touch of citrus and spice.
- Kid-approved: Even picky eaters love the caramelized, savory-sweet flavor.
- Versatile: Pairs with rice, grilled veggies, salads, or even noodles.
- Great for entertaining: Prep ahead, grill when ready, and impress everyone with your grilling game.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to bring this easy grilled salmon to life:
- 1½ pounds salmon fillets, skin on or off
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ cup olive oil
🛒 Tip: Use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your salt intake. You can also swap olive oil for sesame oil for a nuttier flavor.
How to Make It
- Make the Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, lemon pepper, salt, water, and olive oil until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Marinate the Salmon
Place salmon fillets in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the salmon, seal, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours — or up to 6 hours for more flavor.
- Grill
Preheat the grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates. Remove salmon from marinade and place it skin-side down (if applicable) on the grill. Discard leftover marinade.
Grill for about 6 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F (63°C) internally.
- Rest & Serve
Remove from the grill and let the salmon rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices. Serve with lemon wedges and fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
What to Serve With It
Pair your grilled salmon with:
- 🥗 A fresh summer salad or cucumber dill yogurt dip
- 🍚 Steamed rice, lemon herb orzo, or garlic mashed potatoes
- 🥦 Air fryer sesame green beans or roasted asparagus
- 🍜 Cold soba noodles tossed in sesame oil
Variations & Add-Ins
- Spicy kick: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or crushed red pepper to the marinade.
- Ginger twist: Stir in 1 tsp freshly grated ginger for a zesty boost.
- Tropical flavor: Add pineapple juice to the marinade and serve with grilled pineapple slices.
Storage & Reheating
Fridge:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer:
Wrap cooked, cooled salmon tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating Options:
- Oven: 275°F for 10–15 minutes with a splash of broth or water.
- Stovetop: Reheat gently in a covered pan with a little olive oil.
- Microwave: 30-second intervals at 50% power with a damp paper towel to prevent drying.
Leftover Ideas
Don’t toss those leftovers! Try:
- A salmon Caesar salad with croutons and creamy dressing
- Salmon tacos with slaw and spicy mayo
- Rice bowls with avocado, cucumbers, and sesame seeds
- A simple salmon wrap with greens and hummus
