This Salmon Marinade recipe offers a delicious blend of sweet, savory, and zesty flavors that will enhance your salmon dishes. It's made with straightforward ingredients such as olive oil, paprika, lemon juice, garlic, and soy sauce. You'll find it incredibly easy to make and versatile enough for grilling, baking, and pan or air-frying salmon.
Jump to:
This marinade not only boosts your salmon's flavor but also adds a visually appealing touch, making your seafood dinners even more special. It's the perfect way to infuse your salmon with a burst of balanced flavors, making each bite truly enjoyable.
Save this recipe?
We'll email you the post link so you can come back later!
I agree to receive emails
Discover More Delcicious Salmon Recipes:
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
For the Salmon Marinade, you'll likely find you already have the necessary ingredients in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive Oil: Adds a smooth, rich base with a hint of fruity and peppery flavors, enhancing the overall taste of the marinade.
- Paprika: Choose mild or hot paprika to introduce a smoky touch and a vibrant red color. It adds a sweet or spicy twist, increasing the complexity of the marinade.
- Garlic: Vital for its robust, aromatic flavor, fresh garlic gives a spicy kick. For a longer shelf life without losing flavor, garlic powder works well too.
- Soy Sauce: The heart of the marinade's umami, soy sauce deepens the flavors. Choose low-sodium to keep the taste well-balanced.
- Brown Sugar: This sweet component balances the savory and acidic notes, smoothing out the flavors.
- Lemon Juice: Its zesty and bright profile cuts through the richness, adding a refreshing citrus tang.
- Onion Powder: Offers a warm, subtly sweet addition that enhances the marinade’s aroma and pairs well with the other ingredients.
- Dried Herbs (Parsley): Introduces a gentle, herbaceous note. Feel free to experiment with other herbs to customize the flavor.
- Black Pepper and Salt: These classic seasonings add mild heat and enhance the overall flavor profile, tying everything together perfectly.
How to Make Salmon Marinade at Home?
Now, let's turns these simple ingredients into a delicious Salmon marinade! Follow our straightforward recipe with step-by-step photos and video to easily make this marinade. Let's get started!
Explore a Variety of Seasoning and Marinade Recipes:
- Salmon Seasoning
- Blacked Seasoning
- Teriyaki Marinade
- Chicken Marinade
- Greek Chicken Marinade
- Chicken Fajita Marinade
- Shrimp Marinade
- Pork Chop Marinade
- Pork Tenderloin Marinade
- Steak Marinade
Salmon Marinade
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Paprika, use the variety based on your preferred heat level
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tsp Dried Parsley
- 1 tsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt, or to taste
- 3 cloves Garlic, grated
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce, low sodium
- ½ cup Olive Oil
Instructions
Making Salmon Marinade
- Start by collecting all the ingredients listed in the ingredient section into a mixing bowl.
- Use a whisk to blend all the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined. Your flavorful Salmon Marinade is now ready.
- First, pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Then, arrange them in a baking dish, on a plate, or place them inside a zip-lock bag for easier cleanup. Pour the marinade over the fillets, making sure each one is evenly coated.
Using
- This Salmon Marinade is perfect for grilling, baking, air-frying, or pan-frying your salmon. Enjoy the versatility it adds to your dishes. For more pairing ideas, check out our 'How to Use' section below.
Save this recipe?
We'll email you the post link so you can come back later!
I agree to receive emails
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Freshness First: Always use fresh ingredients! They bring the best flavors to your salmon, making it exceptionally tasty.
- Fresh Garlic for Impact: Freshly grated garlic significantly enhances the marinade with a deeper, more robust flavor compared to garlic powder.
- Customize the Heat: I've used moderate-heat paprika and a touch of black pepper for a balanced spice level. Feel free to adjust with different types of paprika or chili powder to suit your taste for heat.
- Marinating Time Matters: For the best flavor infusion, marinate the salmon for 30 minutes to 5 hours. Avoid marinating for longer to keep the salmon's texture intact.
- Marinade Quantity: This recipe is ideal for 4-5 salmon fillets (4-6 ounces each). The salmon shown in our instruction photo is just for illustration.
- Use a Zip-loc Bag for Marinating: Marinating the salmon in a zip-loc bag can be more effective than a bowl. It allows for better coverage and less marinade can be used to achieve flavorful results. Just make sure to squeeze out the air and seal the bag, turning it occasionally to evenly coat the salmon.
- Salmon Temperature: Bring the salmon to room temperature before cooking. This ensures that it cooks evenly and helps the marinade penetrate deeper, enhancing the flavor.
- Reserve Some Marinade: Before adding the salmon, set aside a small amount of the marinade to brush onto the salmon during cooking. This adds an extra layer of flavor but make sure it’s done in the last few minutes to avoid burning.
- Marinade Safety: Always discard marinade used with raw fish or meat to prevent cross-contamination. If you want to use some of the marinade as a sauce, make sure to set aside a portion before it comes into contact with any raw ingredients.
- Flavor Experiments: Don’t hesitate to experiment with your marinade. Add honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness, sweet chili sauce or hot sauce for heat, or Dijon mustard and minced ginger for a bold twist. These additions let you customize the marinade to your taste preferences.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
How to Use this Salmon Marinade?
This versatile salmon marinade is perfect for adding a burst of flavor to your favorite salmon and other seafood dishes. Here's how you can use it to make your meals even more delicious, complete with complementary side dishes for salmon:
- Marinating Time: For the best results, marinate your salmon for at least 30 minutes before cooking. If you have time, letting it marinate for a few hours in the fridge will deepen the flavors even more.
- Cooking Methods: This marinade is suitable for various cooking methods. Whether you’re grilling, baking, or pan-searing your salmon, the marinade will hold up well and provide great flavor.
- Grilling: To grill, preheat your grill and place the marinated salmon on a piece of foil or a grill mat. Cook over medium heat until the salmon is cooked through and nicely charred.
- Baking: For baking, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the marinated salmon on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Pan-Searing: If you prefer to pan-sear, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil and cook the salmon, skin-side down first, for about 4 minutes on each side or until done to your liking.
- Air Frying: For air frying, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the salmon in the air fryer basket and cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and has a slight crispness on the outside.
- Additional Uses: Beyond salmon, this marinade works wonderfully with other types of fish or seafood. Try it with shrimp, cod, or even chicken for a tasty twist.
Storage Suggestions
To keep your Salmon Marinade fresh and ready-to-use, here are some storage tips:
- Refrigerator Storage: Keep the marinade in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and flavorful for 3-4 days, making it perfect for quick salmon dinners.
- Extend Shelf Life: To lengthen the marinade's shelf life, consider using garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. This small adjustment can help the marinade stay fresh for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, offering more flexibility in your meal planning.
Leave a Review