Wood-Grilled Salmon with Charred Lemon and Herb Butter
Tender salmon fillets are wood-grilled to perfection and topped with a bright, fragrant herb butter accented by charred lemon slices. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs 6 oz each salmon fillets, olive oil, kosher salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, 6 oz each salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh chives
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 large, sliced into 6 slices lemon
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush 4 salmon fillets with 2 tbsp olive oil and season evenly with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Place 6 lemon slices directly on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until charred and fragrant, then set aside.
- Step 3: Grill the salmon fillets skin-side down for 4-5 minutes until grill marks form and edges turn opaque, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until just cooked through and flaky.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley, 1 tbsp dill, 1 tbsp chives, and 1 minced garlic clove. Cook for 1 minute until herbs are fragrant and butter is infused.
- Step 5: Remove salmon from grill and plate each fillet with a charred lemon slice on top. Spoon the warm herb butter generously over each salmon fillet before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Wood-Grilled Salmon with Charred Lemon and Herb Butter take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Wood-Grilled Salmon with Charred Lemon and Herb Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep 6 oz each salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Grilled Salmon with Charred Lemon and Herb Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Wood-Grilled Salmon with Charred Lemon and Herb Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Wood-Grilled Salmon with Charred Lemon and Herb Butter?
American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.