If you've never tried BBQ sauce on salmon, you are in for a surprise in the best kind of way.
These Grilled Salmon Fillets with BBQ Sauce come out tender, flaky, and coated in a sweet, smoky BBQ glaze that's downright addictive. It's one of those easy recipes that feels a little unexpected but just works.
And if you love salmon as much as I do, you've got to try my Cajun Salmon, Baked Pineapple Honey Salmon, or Ginger Miso Salmon next. They're all quick, flavor-packed, and perfect for busy nights.
I love serving this with my Creamy Cauliflower Broccoli Salad for an easy, no-cook side that's just right for summer cookouts.
Quick Look: Grilled Salmon with BBQ Sauce
- ⏲️Ready in: 30 minutes
- 👪Serves: 4
- 🥘Key Ingredients: Fresh salmon fillets, BBQ sauce, seasonings
- 🍳Method: Grill or oven
- ⭐Difficulty: Easy
- 👩🍳Flavor Profile: This super easy recipe uses store-bought BBQ sauce. We add our own additional seasonings to boost the flavor.
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- Quick Look: Grilled Salmon with BBQ Sauce
- Why We Love This Recipe
- Why This Recipe Works
- Ingredient Photo with Notes
- How to Make Grilled Salmon with BBQ Sauce
- Alternate Cooking Method
- Side Dishes for Grilled Salmon with BBQ Sauce
- Anne's Expert Tips
- How to Keep it Fresh
- Grilled BBQ Salmon FAQs
- Easy Desserts for BBQs and Summer Cookouts
- Recipe
- Comments
Grilled salmon fillets are probably my second favorite way to eat fish (first being fried catfish). Salmon has a very tender texture with a deliciously rich, buttery flavor.
BBQ sauce surprisingly goes great with salmon, but I also love this Oven Baked Lemon Dill Salmon! Just like this recipe, it's a quick and easy meal.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Sweet, smoky, and ready in just 30 minutes, this might be your new favorite way to cook salmon.
- The BBQ sauce I use for this recipe is Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce with Brown Sugar. Then I doctor it up for more intense flavor!
- Additionally, salmon cooks up faster than other meats (steak or burgers). Which is great if you are short on time. So if quick and delicious appeal to you, then you are going to love this easy BBQ grilled salmon!
- If you enjoy bold flavors like this, you'll also love my Cajun Baked Salmon for a spicier option.
Why This Recipe Works
- BBQ sauce adds sweet + smoky contrast to salmon's rich flavor
- Cooking on foil keeps the fish moist and prevents sticking
- The doctored sauce gives store-bought BBQ a homemade taste
- Quick cook time = perfect for weeknights or last-minute dinners
Ingredient Photo with Notes
please scroll down to the printable recipe card for the detailed ingredient list
- Wild-caught salmon fillets - Skin-on fillets work best for grilling because they help hold everything together and lock in moisture. Here's why: According to FoodNetwork.com, grilling salmon with the skin on helps hold the salmon together and prevents the salmon from sticking to the grill. The skin also helps keep the salmon moist during the grilling process.
Doctored-up BBQ Sauce Ingredients:
- BBQ Sauce - Use your favorite (I love Sweet Baby Ray's for its sweet, smoky flavor).
- Lemon & lime juice - Adds a fresh, zesty balance to the sweetness.
- Garlic & onion powder - Simple & convenient pantry spices that boost flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce - Adds depth and a little savory punch
If you've got leftover salmon, don't toss it. Turn it into my Old Fashioned Salmon Patties for an easy second meal.
How to Make Grilled Salmon with BBQ Sauce
Photo 1. Mix all the ingredients for the special BBQ sauce.
Photo 2. Apply a thick coating of the BBQ sauce to each salmon fillet.
Photo 3. Add the fillets on top of a sheet of foil over the grill grate. Close the grill cover.
Photo 4. Cook the salmon for about 12 to 15 minutes.
Alternate Cooking Method
In case it's cold or rainy outside or you just don't have a grill, broiling is a great alternative.
- Turn your oven broiler on high heat with the rack in the center. Place your salmon on a greased baking dish and broil for 4 to 5 minutes (or until the fish flakes easily). The method works really well and you may find that you prefer broiling to grilling.
Side Dishes for Grilled Salmon with BBQ Sauce
You know it really depends on what you are in the mood to eat. I think these are the Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips but these Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Skin go great, too. Might as well make both!
FoodNetwork.com put together a list of Best Sides for Salmon. If you're struggling with what to cook with your salmon, check out their post and get some great ideas.
Anne's Expert Tips
Grilled salmon is easy and delicious; but you do need to be careful to avoid these common mistakes.
- Don't overcook - Salmon dries out quickly
- Check temperature - Aim for 125-135°F for best texture (145°F is fully cooked but can be dry)
- Remove pin bones - Makes for a better eating experience
- Don't over-marinate - Keep it under 30 minutes
- Leave the skin on - Helps hold everything together while grilling
How to Keep it Fresh
Store leftover salmon covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Grilled BBQ Salmon FAQs
Salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork. For best texture, cook to 125-135°F (or 145°F if you prefer fully done).
Reheat gently or enjoy cold in a salad. Leftover salmon works great in dishes like salmon patties.
Use foil and lightly spray with nonstick spray before adding the salmon.
Nope! No flipping needed for this recipe.
Easy Desserts for BBQs and Summer Cookouts
Recipe
Grilled Salmon with BBQ Sauce (Easy 30-Min Recipe)
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- grill
- Basting Brush
- measuring cup
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 4 8 ounces each Salmon Fillets with skin on
- ⅔ cup Bottled BBQ sauce such as Sweet Baby Ray's with Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ⅓ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ⅓ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients listed above (except salmon) in a medium-sized bowl.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Use a brush to apply a thick coating of the BBQ sauce to each salmon fillet. If you have the time, place the salmon in the fridge for 30 minutes to marinate.
- Lightly spray a sheet of aluminum foil with non-stick spray and place on the grill grate then add the fillets to the grill. Close the grill cover.
- Cook salmon on your grill at medium heat for approximately 12 to 15 minutes. For food safety purposes, make sure you grill the salmon to an internal temperature of 145 F.
- Remove the fillets when they flake easily with a fork.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
Gill Copage says
Not sure how this is 88 calories per serving?
Anne Clark says
Thank you, Gill. Eighty-eight calories per serving was indeed incorrect...I have adjusted the nutritional information. I appreciate you pointing that out to me.
Anne