She Strengthens

Grilled Salmon with a Twist: A Refreshing Summer Recipe

When it comes to grilling, few proteins shine like salmon. Its firm, meaty texture makes it an ideal candidate for the grill, and with the right flavors, it can be truly exceptional. In this recipe, we’re elevating the humble salmon fillet with a bright, citrusy compound butter that will leave your taste buds singing.

The Magic of Compound Butter

The key to this recipe lies in the compound butter, a simple yet elegant mixture of softened butter, lemon zest, garlic, and black pepper. By combining these ingredients and chilling them until firm, we create a flavorful, aromatic butter that’s perfect for topping our grilled salmon.

Prepping the Grill

Before we dive into the cooking process, it’s essential to prepare our grill for success. Remove any residual debris from previous grilling sessions using a scraper, then oil the grates to prevent sticking. This crucial step ensures a smooth, stress-free cooking experience.

Grilling the Salmon

With our grill prepped and our butter chilled, it’s time to cook the salmon. Pat the fillets dry with paper towels, then coat them with oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place the salmon on the grill skin-side down, cover, and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes. Flip the fillets over, add some grilled lemon halves to the mix, and cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through.

Serving with Flair

To serve, slice the lemon-pepper butter into thick rounds and place one on top of each piece of fish. Serve with the grilled lemon halves on the side, ready to be squeezed over the salmon. The result is a dish that’s both refreshing and satisfying, perfect for a summer evening spent with friends and family.

Tips and Variations

This recipe offers plenty of opportunities for experimentation and creativity. Try using different types of citrus zest, such as orange or lime, to create unique flavor profiles. You can also use leftover compound butter to elevate other dishes, from buttermilk biscuits to roasted asparagus. The possibilities are endless!

Recipe Details

Yield: 4 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (from about 2 medium lemons)
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic (from about 2 medium cloves)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 4 (6-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets
• Vegetable oil, as needed