Mayonnaise Grilled Salmon Recipe

Mayonnaise Grilled Salmon Recipe

The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Total: 23 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Yield: 2 fillets

This recipe for mayonnaise grilled salmon has been around for a while and it's always worth going back to.

Spreading mayo on fish before grilling it may seem odd, but mayo is mostly oil flavored with lemon juice, salt, and sometimes mustard and herbs—exactly the sort of ingredients you might ordinarily coat fish with before grilling it.

And in fact, dilled mayonnaise is an even better choice than regular mayonnaise when making this. The flavor is best when grilled over charcoal, but it's mighty good even if you use a grill pan on the stove.

"I’ve never coated salmon with mayonnaise, and this recipe did not disappoint! The lemon-dill mayo gives the salmon amazing flavor. Add the Tabasco for spiciness, or leave it out. You can also serve it with anything that you want. I served mine with some pea purée and it tasted amazing." —Tara Omidvar

Mayonnaise Grilled Salmon Recipe/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

  • 2 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets

  • Kosher salt, to taste

For the Dilled Mayonnaise:

  • 3/4 cup good quality mayonnaise

  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil

  • 1 teaspoon minced shallot

  • 1/8 teaspoon Tabasco, more to taste

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill, more for garnish

  • Lime wedges, for garnish, optional

Steps to Make It

Prepare the Salmon

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Mayonnaise Grilled Salmon Recipe ingredients

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

  2. Carefully run your finger up the center of the fillet (against the grain) and if you find any pin bones, pull them out with a small pair of needle-nosed pliers or tweezers.

    check salmon for pin bones

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

  3. Pat the fillets dry and sprinkle both sides generously with salt. Set aside.

    Pat the salmon fillets dry

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

Make the Dilled Mayonnaise

  1. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, sesame oil, shallot, and Tabasco. Fold in the dill. Chill, covered, until ready to use. You will need 1/4 cup of the mayonnaise mixture basting the fish, and the remaining 1/2 cup can be used as a dipping sauce.

    dill mayo in a bowl

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

Grill the Salmon

  1. Lightly brush 1/4 cup of the mayonnaise mixture on both sides of the fillets. Set aside.

    salmon brushed with mayo sauce

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

  2. Prepare a medium (350 F to 375 F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Alternatively, use a stovetop grill pan heated on medium heat.

    prepared grill

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

  3. Grill the salmon for 3 to 4 minutes.

    salmon cooking on the grill

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

  4. Using a very thin, wide spatula, flip the salmon on the grill.

    salmon cooking on the grill

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

  5. Continue to grill the salmon until cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes or longer, depending on thickness .

    salmon cooking on the grill

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

  6. Serve with the remaining 1/2 cup mayonnaise, a sprinkle of dill, and lime wedges, if desired.

    Mayonnaise Grilled Salmon served with sauce and limes

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
918 Calories
83g Fat
1g Carbs
38g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 918
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 83g 107%
Saturated Fat 14g 69%
Cholesterol 142mg 47%
Sodium 793mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 38g
Vitamin C 7mg 36%
Calcium 34mg 3%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 680mg 14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)