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This Ninja Grilled Salmon recipe is flaky and delicious and includes an easy homemade sweet and salty salmon rub.

grilled salmon on platter.

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What is salmon

Salmon is an extremely popular fish in the U.S. It is both caught in the wild and farm-raised. Some markets have fresh salmon, but more often (depending on your region), you’ll find that it’s been previously frozen.

Salmon has a mild taste and a tender texture, which is what makes it so popular. It also handles heat well, which is why it’s perfect on the grill.

fork taking out bite of grilled salmon.

Salmon has a signature red or pink color that makes it stand out from other fish. That color develops because of the fish’s diet.

Fish raised in the wild are more likely to have a natural, richer red hue, because they eat crustaceans like small shrimp.

Farm-raised fish, on the other hand, are fed pellets. You know like the kind you get out of the machine near the lake when you put a quarter in it.

Producers do sometimes make up for that difference in diet by adding red dye to farm-raised fish. If that is something important to you, be sure to read the labels carefully and talk to your local fish monger to find the fish that’s best for you and your budget and lifestyle.

To learn even more, read this great article about salmon from GirlCarnivore.com.

Ingredients

salmon ingredients: salmon filet, olive oil, salt, pepper, brown sugar, garlic, ginger and cayenne.
  • Salmon Filet: Most filets come de-boned and about 18 inches long. In order for it to fit on the Ninja Grill, you will need to cut it in half.
  • Oil: Any olive oil or vegetable oil will work.
  • Brown Sugar: The brown sugar will help add color, crust and a touch of sweetness to the rub. You can use light or dark brown sugar.
  • Salt and Pepper: With all rubs, I suggest using kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper, because they add more texture than table salt and fine ground black pepper.
  • Granulated Garlic: I prefer granulated, but you can also use garlic powder or fresh minced garlic.
  • Ground Ginger: This will add a unique, slightly citrusy profile to your rub.
  • Cayenne: Add just a touch of ground cayenne pepper for some heat.
Substitutions: If you don't have time or the ingredients to make your own rub, you can use a pre-made seafood rub or lemon pepper.

How to cook Grilled Salmon on a Ninja Grill

  1. STEP ONE: Make the seasoning by combining all of the spices in a small bowl.
bowl of salmon seasoning.
  1. STEP TWO: Cut the filet in half, so it will fit on the Ninja Grill. You can also cook it into smaller, 2-inch pieces.
one whole salmon filet cut in half.
  1. STEP THREE: Brush both sides of the salmon filets with olive oil.
  1. STEP FOUR: Sprinkle the salmon rub evenly on both sides and let the rub absorb into the fish while you preheat your grill.
  1. STEP FIVE: Set the Ninja Grill to the grill setting. Set the temperature to high and the time to 20 minutes.
If you have the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill, add smoke by pushing the Woodfire Flavor Technology button.
  1. STEP SIX: Place the filets on the Ninja Grill skin side up and cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip.
salmon on grill skin side up.
NINJA PRO TIP: When it's time to flip the filets, gently lift one filet and peek under it to see how the grill marks look. If they're a little subtle, let the fish cook for one more minute before flipping.
  1. STEP SEVEN: Cook for another 8-10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145F degrees and the fish starts to flake apart. To measure the internal temperature, place an instant read meat thermometer in through the side of the filet toward the center.
salmon on grill skin side down.

How to serve grilled salmon

Remove the grilled salmon filet and place it on a presentation platter with some fresh greens and lemon slices. The color is phenomenal because of the grill’s convection technology and the brown sugar in the rub.

Portion it for each diner with a great side like grilled balsamic Brussels sprouts.

Or, serve it as an appetizer with a small fork, so people can spread it on crackers or toast points.

close up of grilled salmon.

Storage

If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can leave the filet whole, or break it into pieces.

Reheat it in a microwave or air fryer.

You can also freeze grilled salmon for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to serve it, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat it in the Ninja Grill on air crisp with a temp of 375F for a few minutes, until it’s warm and crispy on the outside.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should you grill salmon?

If you grill a salmon at high heat (around 375-425F degrees), it will take about 15 minutes for it to be fully cooked.

Do you flip the salmon on the grill?

When I cook salmon on a cedar plank, I don’t flip it. But when it’s cooked straight on the grill, I recommend flipping it to get an even char on both sides.

How to tell if salmon is done?

The most surefire way to know if salmon or any fish is cooked through is to measure the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer. Once it hits 145F degrees, it’s safe to eat. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can also tell by trying to flake the fish apart with a fork. If it breaks away easily at the thickest point, it’s cooked through.

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5 from 8 votes

Ninja Grilled Salmon

This Ninja Grilled Salmon recipe is flaky and delicious and includes an easy homemade sweet and salty salmon rub.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 3 lb salmon filet
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Salmon Rub

  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper

Instructions 

  • Make Rub: Combine all of the rub ingredients in a small bowl and combine.
  • Season: Cut the salmon in half so it will fit on the Ninja Grill. Brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle both sides with rub.
  • Heat Grill: Set the Ninja Grill to the grill function. Set the heat to high and the time to 20 minutes.
  • Grill: Place the filets on the grill skin side up. Grill for 5-6 minutes. Flip. Grill for 8-10 minutes to an internal temperature of 145F degrees. Remove from the grill and serve.

Notes

The grill time is set to more time than is needed, so the grill doesn’t turn off, just in case the cook time takes a minute or so longer than expected.
If using the Ninja Woodfire Grill, you can add smoke flavor by pressing the Woodfire Flavor Technology button after selecting the grill cook function.
If you cut the filet into smaller 2-3-inch size serving portions, you will likely need to reduce the cook time by 2-3 minutes, because the pieces will cook faster.

Nutrition

Calories: 412kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 45gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 1264mgPotassium: 1128mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 112IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to rate it, leave a comment and save it so you can make it again. Show off your awesome results on social by tagging @girlscangrill
christie vanover standing against wood wall.

Hey BBQ Family

I’m Christie, the head cook and award-winning competitive pitmaster for Team Girls Can Grill. I have won multiple grand championships and top 10 category finishes. I’m an expert grill reviewer for BBQ Guys, and I have appeared on the Food Network and Ninja Woodfire Grill infomercials. I established this website in 2015 to share my BBQ tips and recipes.

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