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15 Easy Salmon Marinades You Need To Try

Salmon is a juicy, tender fish that is both versatile and well-loved by many. Whether for its health benefits or incredible taste, there’s no doubt that any meal is elevated with the addition of well-cooked Salmon Marinades.

One of the easiest ways to infuse your salmon with flavor is to steep it in a rich marinade that will ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your salmon, and there are many different ways you can do that.

Whether you’re looking for something spicy or prefer a sweet herb-flavored salmon, no matter your preferences, this post has all the Salmon Marinades you need to add a rich blend of taste and flavor to your salmon.

Quick Table: Easy Salmon Marinades Dishes

RecipesCalories Per ServingPreparation Time
Mediterranean-Style Salmon Marinade67010 Minutes
Balsamic Salmon Marinade29812 Minutes
Spicy Salmon Marinade3585 Minutes
Soy Ginger Salmon Marinade35512 Minutes
Citrus Pineapple Salmon Marinade33910 Minutes
Pineapple Teriyaki Salmon Marinade33910 Minutes
Lime Cilantro Salmon Marinade2935 Minutes
Maple Dijon Salmon Marinade1785 Minutes
Soy Mirin Salmon Marinade 43710 Minutes
Orange Ginger Salmon MarinadeNot Available6 Minutes
Lemon Garlic Salmon Marinade25312 Minutes
Lemon Maple Salmon Marinade3405 Minutes
Asian Style Salmon MarinadeNot Available5 Minutes
Vinegar Soy Ginger Marinade3395 Minutes
Lemon Dill Salmon Marinade42910 Minutes

1. Mediterranean-Style Salmon Marinade

If you’re a fan of bold flavors and want your salmon to have a subtle hint of spice, this Mediterranean-style salmon marinade is the perfect mix for your salmon.

It requires very simple ingredients you likely already have lying around your pantry. All you’ll need is a combination of lemon juice, olive oil, honey, garlic, oregano, dill and pepper flakes.

The great thing about this marinade is that the bold flavors coat the fish very easily, so you can soak the salmon in the marinade for as little as thirty minutes if you’re in a rush or let it sit for hours if you want a deeper flavor.

Calories Per Serving: 670

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

2. Balsamic Salmon Marinade

Want to infuse your salmon with a sweet and tart flavor but can’t be bothered to whip up some over complicated marinade with a dozen ingredients?

A balsamic marinade is a perfect combo for low maintenance cooks who don’t have much time on their hands.It consists of three basic ingredients: balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and garlic powder.

Feel free to use freshly grated garlic in place of garlic powder if you prefer a stronger garlic aroma. You can even cook down any leftover marinade into a balsamic glaze and drizzle it over your salmon before serving.

Whether you intend to bake or fry your fish, this simple marinade will result in a deliciously cooked salmon you’ll want to make every day.

Calories Per Serving: 298

Preparation Time: 12 Minutes

3. Spicy Salmon Marinade

With a mix of brown mustard, chili flakes, olive oil, soy sauce, serrano peppers, oregano, garlic, and honey, this spicy marinade fills salmon with a rich blend of flavors and a nice kick of heat. 

The great thing about this marinade is that the heat is not too overwhelming, so even if you’re not much a fan of spicy food, you can enjoy the flavors of this marinade without filling like you need to gulp a whole bottle of water.

Feel free to add any additional seasonings you like to really make this marinade your own. You can even add a dash of Worcestershire sauce or habaneros to take the heat up a notch.

Calories Per Serving: 358

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

4. Soy Ginger Salmon Marinade

A great way to tone down the oily texture of salmon if you’re not a fan of the oily taste is to infuse it with rich aromatics and a lovely umami flavor that’ll mask the oils of the fish once cooked.

A great marinade to accomplish that task is this soy ginger salmon marinade.

It is quite easy to make and consists of a blended mixture of honey, grated ginger, soy sauce, garlic salt, and olive oil.

This flavor-filled marinade is also tasty enough to double as a dipping sauce. So, be sure to reserve some of the mixture to serve with your salmon after cooking.

Calories Per Serving: 355

Preparation Time: 12 Minutes

5. Citrus Pineapple Salmon Marinade

If you’re looking to try something new and want a sweet and savory meal, citrus pineapple salmon marinade is a great way to add a refreshing tropical taste to your fish.

It consists of a mix of garlic, avocado oil, pineapple puree, orange juice, lime juice and lemon zest.

So whether you’re baking or grilling your salmon, no matter the cooking method used, this marinade works perfectly, and the end result is simply mouthwatering.

Calories Per Serving: 339

Preparation Time:  10 Minutes 

RELATED: 25 Yummy Canned Salmon Recipes You’ll Love

6. Pineapple Teriyaki Salmon Marinade

Keeping with the sweet tropical taste of pineapples, pineapple teriyaki marinade is another great flavor combo to incorporate into salmon.

It contains a combination of pineapple juice, Italian dressing, brown sugar, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.

This tasty marinade may not contain any actual teriyaki sauce, but once combined and incorporated into your salmon, the taste will feel very much like a tangy teriyaki sauce.

This marinade is quite versatile, so feel free to use it with other fish and meats or serve it on your favorite salad.

Calories Per Serving: 339

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes 

7. Lime Cilantro Salmon Marinade

Most marinades always seem to contain soy sauce, and while we love the salty umami taste of soy sauce, not everyone is a fan of it.

So, if you’re not a fan of soy sauce, a zesty marinade like lime and cilantro salmon marinade is a great option for you. It is quite easy to make and only consists of a mixture of lime juice, olive oil, pepper, salt, garlic and cilantro.

This marinade may seem quite simple, but it packs a punch in terms of flavor, so if you’re in a rush, you can easily marinate your salmon in this mixture for less than thirty minutes and still end up with a flavor-filled fish you’ll want to make every day.

Calories Per Serving: 293

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

8. Maple Dijon Salmon Marinade

If you’re serving your salmon over bread or salad, this maple dijon marinade’s subtly sweet and tart taste is the perfect flavor for those dishes.

It is super easy to whip up and features a combination of mustard, maple syrup, salt and pepper.

This marinade is freezer-friendly so if you’re pressed for time, feel free to make it ahead of time and store it in the freezer, then let it thaw in the fridge once you’re ready to cook your salmon.

Calories Per Serving: 178

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

9. Soy Mirin Salmon Marinade 

Equal parts sweet and salty, this soy mirin salmon marinade adds a delicious blend of flavors to the juicy texture of salmon when cooked. It features a combination of sake, mirin, soy sauce, lemon juice, sugar and mayonnaise.

You’ll need to lightly cook this marinade until it is reduced into a syrupy texture before using, but the great news is that you can make a big batch to store in the refrigerator and use whenever you want to make salmon.

Calories Per Serving: 437

Preparation Time: 6 Minutes

10. Orange Ginger Salmon Marinade

If you’re looking for marinated salmon that kids will devour without any complaints, this orange ginger marinade is the perfect flavor profile to incorporate into your salmon.

It features a combination of ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, shallots, orange juice, soy sauce, honey, and olive oil. You can steep your salmon in this marinade for as little as one hour or leave it for up to three hours for a stronger flavor.

This marinade can last up to five days in the fridge, so feel free to make it ahead of time if you’re on a busy schedule.

Calories Per Serving: Not Available

Preparation Time: 6 Minutes

RELATED: Defrosting Salmon In A Microwave Safely

11. Lemon Garlic Salmon Marinade

Lemon and garlic are a classic mix of flavors that are great for marinating any fish or meat, but when paired with the juicy texture of salmon, this combination tastes even more incredible.

This herbaceous marinade features a combination of water, olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, oregano and garlic.

It is an easy marinade you can make if you’re on a budget but don’t want to skimp on flavor when making your salmon.

Calories Per Serving: 253

Preparation Time: 12 Minutes

12. Lemon Maple Salmon Marinade

This is another flavor-filled marinade with a zesty lemon base to elevate your salmon. However, this lemon maple marinade has a sweet taste to balance the sour acidity of the lemon. 

It comprises a mix of olive oil, lemon, maple syrup, garlic, sea salt, black pepper and fresh herbs. Feel free to use any fresh herbs you like. Some great options include dill, parsley and cilantro.

Calories Per Serving: 340

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

13. Asian Style Salmon Marinade

You can never go wrong with an Asian-style marinade if you’re serving your salmon with veggies or rice. This flavor-filled marinade has the right blend of umami flavors and rich aromas that are sure to tempt anyone to have a taste.

It features a mix of ginger, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, pepper flakes and garlic. This marinade also makes a great glaze once cooked down, so be sure to reserve some of it to serve over your salmon after cooking.

Calories Per Serving: Not Available

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

14. Vinegar Soy Ginger Marinade

This marinate fills salmon with a blend of different flavors that end up creating a delicious masterpiece once cooked.

It is super easy to whip up and consists of a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, lime juice, fish sauce, garlic and ginger. If you’re on a gluten-free diet, feel free to use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce.

Calories Per Serving: 339

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

RELATED: How Long To Bake Salmon At 350 Four Ways

15. Lemon Dill Salmon Marinade

This is another easy marinade with simple ingredients, but the outcome is an amazing blend of flavors that fills the palate with a lovely taste and refreshing aroma.

It is super easy to make and features a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, fresh dill, mustard, garlic, honey and salt.

With this fresh marinade, you can cook your salmon using any cooking method you prefer after marinating for about forty minutes.

Calories Per Serving: 339

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Should You Marinate Salmon? 

Salmon should be marinated for about 30 minutes to two hours. You can marinate it for longer than that if you want a stronger stew of flavor.

However, it is important to avoid marinating it for longer than 3 hours as the acidity of most marinades can start to cook the fish and affect the final texture if you leave it for too long in marinade.

This is why it’s essential to keep in mind to avoid leaving it in a marinade overnight because leaving it that long will result in an overcooked salmon.

Can You Eat Salmon Skin?

Salmon skin is very healthy and safe to eat, so if you like the texture and taste, you can eat it.

The skin also contains the same nutrients and healthy fats contained in the flesh of the salmon, so you’ll reap more benefits by eating Salmon Marinades while also avoiding food waste.

What Flavors Go Best With Salmon Marinades?

Salmon Marinade pairs nicely with a host of different flavors. Your choice of seasoning and flavors will depend on your personal preference or the recipe you are making.

Some great flavor pairings for Salmon Marinades include sour-tasting seasonings like lemon, lime, and vinegar. Salmon also goes really well with sweet, salty, creamy, and fresh herbaceous flavors.

These can include honey, rosemary, brown sugar, soy sauce, miso, mayonnaise, or even butter.

What Is The Best Cooking Method For Salmon?

Salmon is a very versatile fish, so it can be cooked in a number of different ways. Some of the best ways to cook Salmon Marinades include baking, grilling, pan-searing, or roasting.

You can also sautee your salmon if you’re trying to reduce the quantity of fatty frying oil used.

15 Easy Salmon Marinades You Need To Try

Some great flavor pairings for salmon include sour-tasting seasonings like lemon, lime, and vinegar. Salmon also goes really well with sweet, salty, creamy and fresh herbaceous flavors.

Directions

  • Pick a recipe from the list above
  • Click the recipe name and visit the website
  • Collect the ingredients and cook the food
  • Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

Jess Smith
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