How to Make an Easy Marinade for Salmon

Lesley BallaUpdated: May 11, 2023

marinated and grilled salmon on a white plate with a side of greens

TMB studio

This easy marinade for salmon adds a ton of flavor, whether grilled, pan-seared, broiled, baked or popped in an air fryer.

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There is a lot to love about salmon. A superfood with tons of healthy protein, vitamins and necessary omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is a go-to for healthy dinners and lunches. And it’s so is easy to find around the country now, you can even eat it a few times a week. Fresh, frozen, wild-caught, farm-raised, Atlantic, sockeye or king: Whatever type of salmon you prefer, you don’t need much to make the flavorful fish taste even better. But a delicious marinade will do the trick!

Marinades for salmon are super easy to make, often utilizing ingredients you already have in the kitchen. A good marinade should add a hit of flavor via citrus, vinegars, sweeteners, herbs, spices and other aromatics, but it shouldn’t overpower the fish. You can remove the skin from salmon before marinating, or keep it on (sometimes the crispy skin is the best part!). And salmon fillets or salmon steaks equally love a good marinade.

How to Make a Marinade for Salmon

raw salmon and ingredients for making a marinade TMB studio

Ingredients

3 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons lime juice
3 red onion rings
2 garlic cloves
1 fresh thyme spring
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1/8 teaspoon fennel seed
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)

Tools

Directions

Step 1: Make the marinade

hand placing an onion in a bag with marinade for salmon TMB studio

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first 12 ingredients. Add the salmon, seal the bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.

Step 2: Drain and discard marinade

marinated salmon on a plate TMB studio

Remove the salmon from the bag and place on a plate or baking dish. Make sure to discard the marinade: It’s not safe to use after touching the raw fish.

Step 3: Grill or broil the salmon

salmon in a grill TMB studio

To grill the salmon, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil, and using long-handled tongs, lightly coat the grill rack. Place the salmon skin side down on grill rack. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 10-12 minutes. To test for doneness, the fish should be firm and flake to the touch. To broil, place the fish 4 inches from the heat and broil for 10-12 minutes.

Step 4: Serve immediately

Remove from the grill or broiler and serve with your favorite side dishes. No need to rest salmon!

Tips for Marinated Salmon

salmon in a clear plastic bag marinading TMB studio

How long should you marinate salmon?

If you’re using lemon or other citrus juice in the marinade, don’t let the fish marinate much longer than 30 minutes. If you let it sit too long, the acid from the citrus will make the texture of the flesh go from firm to mushy.

Do you rinse off the marinade for salmon before cooking?

Don’t rinse off the marinade before cooking salmon. You worked hard trying to impart that extra flavor, so you don’t want to lose it. However, do discard the marinade after removing the fillets. Because the marinade came in contact with raw fish, it’s no longer safe to use.

What other marinades can you use for salmon?

When thinking about marinade for salmon, you don’t want to overpower the fish. The sweet and zippy pairing of ginger and honey mingle perfectly in this Gingered Honey Salmon. Find more inspiration in our guide to marinades. While most are good for different kinds of proteins, the Northwoods, honey-garlic and orange-spice marinades would all make great marinades for salmon.

Can you bake marinated salmon in the oven?

Of course! One option is to place the seasoned fillet on a hot pan and place into a 450°F oven. Because the pan has been heated, the initial contact will help sear the skin, giving it an irresistible crispy texture. If you want to leave the skin behind, the flesh will lift away easily (although you can eat salmon skin!)

What do you serve with marinated salmon?

Roasted potatoes and asparagus, lemon risotto with peas, and fruit and spinach salad are just a few great side dishes for salmon.

Originally Published: March 21, 2023

Lesley Balla

As an associate food editor for Taste of Home, Lesley writes and edits recipes, works closely with freelancers, and tracks cooking and food trends. After working in hospitality for a decade, Lesley went on to report on the food industry for national, regional and local print and digital publications. Throughout her career, she’s highlighted both famous and unsung culinary heroes, featured up-and-coming wine and spirits destinations, and closely followed the food scenes and chefs in many cities. Her own cooking style has been influenced by the places she's lived: Ohio, Key West, Massachusetts, Oregon, and a long stint in Southern California, where she still visits as often as possible, if only for the citrus and avocados. When not at her desk, you’ll find Lesley taking photos of everything, hitting farmers markets, baking something delicious at home and road-tripping around the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their bottled-chaos pup, Pucci, shucking oysters and cracking crabs along the way.