Make restaurant-style grilled salmon teriyaki at home with juicy salmon, a glossy homemade teriyaki glaze and simple grilling techniques. This easy recipe also includes BBQ, flat top grill, pellet grill and citrus teriyaki variations.
Why You'll Love This Grilled Salmon Teriyaki
If you want a dinner that feels special without spending hours in the kitchen, grilled salmon teriyaki is a perfect choice. The salmon becomes tender and flaky while the sweet and savory teriyaki glaze caramelizes over the heat.
This recipe is flexible enough for an outdoor BBQ, gas grill, flat-top grill or pellet grill. You can also add fresh orange and lime to turn the classic recipe into a bright and refreshing citrus teriyaki salmon.
Ingredients for Grilled Salmon Teriyaki
This recipe uses simple ingredients that create a rich, glossy and flavorful teriyaki coating.
For the Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets, about 5–6 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive or neutral oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Green onions for garnish
For the Teriyaki Sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
How to Make Grilled Salmon Teriyaki Sauce
Homemade grilled salmon teriyaki sauce takes only a few minutes and lets you control the sweetness, saltiness and thickness.
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
Add soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, water, rice vinegar, ginger and garlic to a small saucepan. Stir everything together over medium heat.
Step 2: Simmer the Sauce
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 3–5 minutes. Stir occasionally so the sugar dissolves completely.
Step 3: Thicken the Glaze
Mix cornstarch with cold water in a small bowl. Slowly whisk this slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue cooking for another 1–2 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thick.
Step 4: Finish With Sesame Oil
Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in sesame oil. Let it cool slightly before brushing it over the salmon.
Simple Teriyaki Salmon Marinade
A good simple teriyaki salmon marinade does not need complicated ingredients. Soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic and sesame oil are enough to give salmon a delicious savory-sweet flavor.
Quick Marinade Formula
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon water
Place the salmon in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Refrigerate for approximately 30–60 minutes.
Avoid excessively long marinating times because the salt in soy sauce can affect the texture of the fish. For stronger flavor, reserve a separate portion of clean teriyaki sauce and use it during grilling.
How to Grill Salmon Teriyaki
Follow these simple steps to make tender, juicy and beautifully caramelized salmon.
Preheat the Grill
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Clean the grates and lightly oil them before adding the salmon.
Prepare the Salmon
Remove the salmon from the marinade and gently pat the surface dry. Lightly brush the fillets with oil.
If using skin-on salmon, keep the skin attached. It helps protect the fish from direct heat and can make grilling easier.
Grill the First Side
Place the salmon on the hot grill. For fillets around 1 inch thick, start with approximately 3–5 minutes on the first side.
Flip Carefully
When the salmon releases naturally from the grill, carefully flip it using a wide spatula. Avoid moving the fish repeatedly.
Add the Teriyaki Glaze
Brush a generous layer of teriyaki sauce over the salmon during the final few minutes of cooking.
Add another light layer just before removing the salmon from the grill for an extra glossy finish.
Rest and Garnish
Transfer the salmon to a plate and allow it to rest for a couple of minutes. Finish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
BBQ Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
This BBQ teriyaki salmon recipe is perfect for summer grilling. The smoky flavor from the grill pairs beautifully with the sweet and savory teriyaki glaze.
How to BBQ Teriyaki Salmon
Preheat your BBQ to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Place the salmon skin-side down if using skin-on fillets.
Grill until the salmon develops a browned surface and releases naturally. Carefully turn the fillet and brush it with teriyaki sauce.
Continue cooking until the thickest part is cooked through. Add another thin layer of glaze during the final minute for a shiny caramelized finish.
Teriyaki Salmon on Flat Top Grill
Making teriyaki salmon on a flat top grill is simple because the salmon cooks directly against a large, evenly heated surface.
Flat Top Method
- Preheat the flat top over medium heat.
- Lightly oil the cooking surface.
- Place the salmon skin-side down if using skin-on fillets.
- Cook without moving the fish constantly.
- Carefully flip using a wide spatula.
- Brush the cooked surface with teriyaki sauce.
- Apply another thin glaze during the final stage.
Avoid adding a large amount of sugary sauce at the beginning. Teriyaki can caramelize quickly when it comes into direct contact with a hot flat-top surface.
Teriyaki Salmon on Pellet Grill
Teriyaki salmon on a pellet grill is a fantastic choice when you want smoky flavor combined with a sweet and savory glaze.
Pellet Grill Method
- Preheat your pellet grill according to its instructions.
- Choose a mild or medium smoke profile.
- Place the salmon on the grill.
- Cook until the salmon is nearly done.
- Brush with teriyaki sauce during the final stage.
- Continue cooking until the glaze becomes glossy and caramelized.
Mild smoke works especially well because it complements rather than overwhelms the sweet teriyaki flavor.
Citrus Teriyaki Salmon
If you love fresh and bright flavors, citrus teriyaki salmon is an excellent variation of the classic recipe.
Orange and lime add acidity that balances the sweetness of the teriyaki glaze while giving the salmon a fresh, vibrant flavor.
Citrus Teriyaki Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Fresh orange slices for serving
- Fresh lime slices for serving
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
How to Make It
Add the orange juice, orange zest and lime juice to your prepared teriyaki sauce. Stir well and brush it over the salmon during the final stage of grilling.
Garnish with fresh citrus slices, sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Expert Tips for the Best Grilled Salmon Teriyaki
1. Preheat Your Grill
A properly heated grill helps create better browning and makes salmon less likely to stick.
2. Keep the Skin On
Skin can provide an extra layer of protection between the fish and the hot cooking surface.
3. Don't Over-Marinate
Thirty to sixty minutes is enough for a flavorful teriyaki marinade without making the salmon overly salty.
4. Glaze Near the End
Adding the glaze late helps the sugars caramelize without burning.
5. Use a Wide Spatula
A wide spatula supports the salmon and makes flipping easier.
6. Don't Overcook the Fish
Salmon should be tender and flaky rather than dry and tough.
What to Serve With Grilled Salmon Teriyaki
Teriyaki salmon works beautifully with simple sides because the glaze already provides plenty of flavor.
Best Side Dishes
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Coconut rice
- Brown rice
- Steamed broccoli
- Grilled asparagus
- Edamame
Fresh Options
- Cucumber salad
- Asian slaw
- Fresh lime wedges
- Grilled pineapple
- Orange slices
- Avocado salad
For an easy complete dinner, serve one glazed salmon fillet over jasmine rice with steamed broccoli. Finish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Grilled Salmon Teriyaki Recipe Card
Easy homemade teriyaki salmon for BBQ, grill or flat top.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp ginger
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the teriyaki sauce.
- Marinate salmon for 30–60 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Oil the grill grates.
- Grill salmon carefully on both sides.
- Brush teriyaki glaze during the final minutes.
- Rest for a couple of minutes.
- Garnish and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilled Salmon Teriyaki
What sauce is good with grilled salmon?
Teriyaki sauce is an excellent choice because its sweet and savory flavor complements the rich taste of salmon. A homemade sauce with soy sauce, ginger, garlic and honey creates a glossy glaze.
How long should salmon be marinated in teriyaki?
For this recipe, 30–60 minutes is enough. A longer marinade is not necessarily better because soy sauce contains salt and can affect the texture of the fish.
Can I use bottled teriyaki sauce?
Yes. Bottled teriyaki sauce is a convenient shortcut. Homemade sauce, however, allows you to control sweetness, saltiness, ginger, garlic and citrus.
Can I cook teriyaki salmon on a BBQ?
Yes. Cook the salmon over medium-high heat and brush the teriyaki glaze on during the final stage so the sugar does not burn.
Can I make teriyaki salmon on a flat top grill?
Yes. Lightly oil the flat top, cook the salmon without moving it constantly, then carefully flip it and apply the teriyaki glaze near the end.
Is teriyaki salmon good on a pellet grill?
Absolutely. A pellet grill adds a mild smoky flavor that pairs especially well with sweet teriyaki glaze. Citrus and ginger are also excellent additions.
How can I make citrus teriyaki salmon?
Add fresh orange juice, orange zest and lime juice to the teriyaki sauce. Finish the salmon with fresh citrus slices, sesame seeds and green onions.
How do I stop salmon from sticking to the grill?
Clean and preheat the grill, lightly oil the grates, avoid moving the salmon too early and use a wide spatula when flipping.
How do I know when grilled salmon is done?
The salmon should become opaque and flake easily. For the most accurate result, use an instant-read thermometer and follow appropriate food-safety guidance.
Make This Grilled Salmon Teriyaki Tonight
Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a BBQ teriyaki salmon recipe, an easy teriyaki salmon marinade, a flat-top version, a smoky pellet-grill recipe or a fresh citrus teriyaki salmon, this recipe gives you everything you need.
The combination of tender salmon, smoky grill marks and glossy homemade teriyaki glaze makes this an easy recipe that's impressive enough for guests but simple enough for a regular family dinner.