Grilled King Salmon is an incredible meal. Known for its rich, buttery flavor, King salmon, also known as Chinook salmon, is a favorite among seafood enthusiasts. This recipe combines the natural taste of fresh salmon with a simple yet flavorful fish rub, butter, and lemon, making it both easy to prepare and impressive to serve.
Grilled King Salmon Recipe
We love Salmon here in the Pacific Northwest, and I’ll admit to being a bit of a salmon snob. I don’t buy it at restaurants and I definitely do not order it when I’m out and about in other parts of the country. There’s just nothing that compares to wild, ocean-caught salmon that’s just hours out of the water before hitting your plate.
I get that not everyone has access to that level of fresh, but thankfully there are plenty of excellent options to source your own wild King salmon. You can use different species of salmon for this recipe, if you can’t source fresh Chinook. Silver (also known as Coho), and Sockeye would both work well. My advice when it comes to salmon is to stay away from anything farmed, and try for something that comes from the saltwater as opposed to fresh water. Your tastebuds will thank you. You and your wallet might be in a fight, though, fair warning.
OWYD Fish Rub
This recipe features our newly released OWYD Fish Rub, which is perfect for anything with fins. It is a savory combination of herbs and spices that we use all the time on almost any fish dish we make. You can get your OWYD FISH RUB here!
Why you’ll love this dish…
- Rich Flavor: Chinook salmon is known for its buttery texture and rich taste.
- Simple Ingredients: Requires only a few ingredients, making it easy to prepare.
- Quick Cooking Time: Ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
- Healthy Option: Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids and essential nutrients.
- Impressive Presentation: A beautiful dish that’s perfect for entertaining guests.
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Traeger Chinook Salmon shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Chinook Salmon Filets, Fresh
- OWYD Fish Rub
- Salt
- Lemon
- Butter
Try our Lemon Pepper Lingcod recipe!
How to make King Salmon on the Grill
Wondering what you’re getting yourself into when you make this dish? Here’s a quick overview of the process! Make sure you follow the instructions at the recipe card at the bottom of the post while you’re cooking.
- Preheat Grill: Heat your grill to 375°F.
- Prepare Filets: Remove all pinbones from the salmon filets. Place them on a lightly sprayed, grill-safe baking sheet.
- Season and Top: Evenly coat the salmon with OWYD Fish Rub and salt. Add pats of butter and lemon slices on top of each filet.
- Grill: Place the baking sheet on the grill and cook for approximately 20 minutes or until the salmon is done to your liking.
- Serve: Remove from the grill and serve hot.
Serve with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes!
FAQ
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How do I reheat grilled salmon?
Reheat the salmon in a preheated oven at 275°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. Sous vide is also an excellent and gentle way to reheat.
Can I prepare this in advance?
You can prepare the salmon filets with the rub and butter ahead of time and keep them refrigerated. Grill just before serving.
What are some variations or substitutions?
You can substitute Chinook salmon with other types of salmon or fish. Experiment with different herbs and spices in the rub to suit your taste.
What are the different levels of “doneness” for salmon?
Salmon final temps and steak final temps are much different! Use this chart to decide when to pull your salmon off of the grill.
Serve this with…
More great Salmon recipes to love!
More Fish Recipes
Grilled Chinook Salmon
Ingredients
- 3 large Chinook salmon filets fresh
- 1 1/2 tablespoons OWYD Fish Rub
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 whole lemon sliced
- 6 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to 375°F.
- Prep your filets by removing all pinbones. Place them on a grill-safe baking sheet that's been lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Evenly coat the tops with the OWYD Fish Rub and salt. Put two tablespoon-sized pats of butter on top of each filet, and then top with 1-2 slices of lemon.
- Place the pan into the grill and let cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the fish is done to your liking.
- Remove from the grill and serve hot.
