No Stick Grilled Sockeye Salmon

At my home, we love to grill. This undoubtedly comes from living in South Florida for 20+ years before relocating to NJ. There, we grilled several times a week and we’ve continued that now that we live in the northeast.

One thing I love to grill is fish. No mess in the kitchen, no fishy smell for several days – easy peasy! I know what typically intimidates folks about grilling fish is that it can stick and be a huge disaster. It really doesn’t have to be that way.

First, there are many products on the market you can place your fish on when grilling. Everything from a cedar plank to a silicone mat to a rectangular grill pan.

Second, pick the ‘right’ fish. As a starting point, salmon is a great fish to grill as you can place on the grates skin side down which help protects the flesh from sticking.

Third, put the fish on the medium-hot grill, close the lid and leave it alone! The fish needs time to form an outer ‘crust’ which will make it way easier to flip or remove from the grill, but in order for that to happen, you need to leave it alone to cook for a bit!

Finally, one of my favorite tricks to ensure fish won’t still to the grill is to place the fish on lemon slices. The lemon helps protect the fish from the direct grates and also flavors it as it cooks. A winning recipe in my book!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ – 2 pounds of sockeye salmon (I use a whole side)
• Juice of one lemon
• Olive oil for coating
• Pinch of salt and black pepper
• Zest of one lemon
• 8-10 slices of lemon
• 2 lemons, halved (optional)

Directions:

1. Light a grill to medium-high heat. Allow the grill to get up to temperature with the lid closed.
2. Place the salmon skin side down on a work surface or platter. Pour the lemon juice and the oil then add the salt, pepper and zest and massage that mixture all over the flesh of the fish.
3. Open the lid of the grill and place the lemon slices, two side by side, horizontally on the grill grates (see pic for a visual). Place the salmon skin side down onto the lemon slices. Close the grill lid and cook for 8-10 minutes, until the flesh is firm but not dry. If using, place the four lemon halves, flesh side down, on the grill for the last 5 minutes of the fish cooking time.
4. Remove the fish from the grill, peel off the skin (this will be very easy after grilling) and serve with a squeeze of the grilled lemons.

Serves 2-4 depending on your side dishes.