You know those nights, right? The ones where the clock is ticking way too fast, the pantry looks a bit bare, and the idea of cooking a gourmet meal feels like a distant dream. That’s exactly when my trusty 12-Ingredient Salmon Recipes (No Fuss) come to the rescue! Seriously, it’s my secret weapon for getting a delicious, healthy dinner on the table in practically no time. This grilled salmon with a zesty chili mayo is one of my absolute favorites because it uses just a handful of things you probably already have. It proves you don’t need a million ingredients to make something truly satisfying!
Why You’ll Love These 12-Ingredient Salmon Recipes (No Fuss)
Honestly, what’s not to love? This recipe is a weeknight warrior!
- Super Quick: Ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish – perfect when you’re starving!
- Minimal Ingredients: We’re talking 12 or fewer, so no frantic grocery runs needed.
- Seriously Easy: Just a bit of seasoning, a quick grill, and a simple sauce. That’s it!
- Delicious Flavor: Grilling gives the salmon a fantastic sear, and the chili mayo is addictive.
- Healthy Too!: Packed with omega-3s, it’s a meal you can feel great about.
Gather Your Ingredients for 12-Ingredient Salmon Recipes (No Fuss)
Alright, let’s get down to what you’ll need for this ridiculously easy grilled salmon. It’s amazing how few things you actually need for a fantastic meal like this. Trust me, you probably have most of this in your kitchen right now. This is why it’s one of my favorite go-to 12-Ingredient Salmon Recipes (No Fuss)!
- 2 salmon fillets, skin on (about 4-6 oz each)
- Fine sea salt, to taste
- Olive oil, to taste
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 lemon, for serving
See? I told you it was simple! We’ve got the salmon, some basic seasonings, and then just a few things for that yummy chili mayo topping. For more ideas like this, I sometimes peek over at Cuisine Fiend’s collection of easy salmon recipes – always good for inspiration when you’re in a pinch!
Simple Steps for Easy Grilled Salmon
Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients ready, and you’re thinking, “How fast can I *actually* make this?” Well, the beauty of these 12-ingredient salmon recipes (no fuss) is that they’re designed for speed and ease. We’re talking about getting dinner on the table without breaking a sweat. My favorite part is how little mess there is, too!
First things first, give those beautiful salmon fillets a quick rinse under cold water and then pat them completely dry with a paper towel. This is a super important step, trust me! It helps the seasonings stick better and ensures you get a nice sear when they hit the heat. Once they’re dry, season them generously all over with that fine sea salt. Don’t be shy with the salt; it really wakes up the flavor of the salmon.
Next up, let’s get that grill ready. You want to preheat it to medium-high heat. I usually aim for around 250°C (or about 480°F). This ensures it’s hot enough to cook the salmon quickly and give it those lovely grill marks without burning. While it’s heating, brush your salmon fillets all over with a little bit of olive oil. Then, place them skin-side up in a shallow roasting tin. This tin is key for easy transport to and from the grill.
Now for the grilling! Once your grill is nice and hot, carefully place the roasting tin with the salmon underneath it. Let them grill skin-side up for about 5 minutes. You’ll start to see the color change from deep pink to a lighter shade. Then, it’s time to flip them! Grill them on the other side for another 5 minutes. The exact timing might vary a tiny bit depending on how thick your fillets are, but 5 minutes per side is usually spot on.
While the salmon is doing its thing, whip up that super simple chili mayo. Just grab a small bowl, spoon in the mayo and the sweet chili sauce, and give it a good stir until it’s all combined. Easy peasy!
And that’s it! Your salmon should be perfectly cooked – flaky and moist. Serve it immediately with a generous dollop of that delicious chili mayo on top and a wedge of fresh lemon on the side. It’s amazing how something so simple can taste so good. If grilling isn’t your thing, you can totally adapt this – check out how I like to make baked salmon for another easy option!
Expert Tips for Perfect 12-Ingredient Salmon Recipes (No Fuss)
Even with simple recipes, a few little tricks can make all the difference, right? For these 12-ingredient salmon recipes (no fuss), I’ve picked up a couple of things over the years that really help ensure a perfect result every single time. It’s all about making that delicious fish shine!
First, don’t skip patting the salmon dry! I know it seems like a tiny step, but getting rid of that surface moisture helps the skin get nice and crisp (if you leave it on!) and allows the salt and oil to really adhere. It’s the difference between nicely seared and, well, just a bit steamed. Second, I always tell people to preheat their grill properly. A hot grill means less sticking and those beautiful grill marks we all love. If your grill isn’t hot enough, the salmon can stick badly, and then you’ve got a mess instead of a masterpiece!
And a little something extra: if you’re using skin-on fillets and want them crispy, make sure the skin is super dry and place them skin-down first if your grill allows it (though my instructions flip them early for speed, which works great too!). These small touches really elevate a simple meal.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
So, about those few little ingredients that make this recipe sing! The biggest players here are probably the mayo and the sweet chili sauce. If you don’t have sweet chili sauce, no worries! You can totally mix a little sriracha or your favorite hot sauce with a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup for a similar sweet-spicy kick.
As for the mayo, any kind works – regular, light, or even vegan mayo if that’s your jam. The lemon is just for a fresh squeeze at the end, but if you don’t have one, a tiny splash of white wine vinegar can add a nice brightness. It’s all about keeping it simple and using what you’ve got!
Serving Suggestions for Your Salmon
To make this quick salmon dinner a complete meal, you want sides that are just as easy, right? I love serving this with a big, fluffy quinoa salad – it’s packed with goodness and takes hardly any effort. Or, honestly, just some steamed green beans or a simple side salad works perfectly too!
Frequently Asked Questions About 12-Ingredient Salmon Recipes (No Fuss)
Got questions about making this super speedy salmon? I totally get it! These are the things I get asked most often about whipping up these quick and easy meals.
Can I bake this salmon instead of grilling?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a grill or just want to use your oven, no problem. Just pop the seasoned and oiled salmon onto a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until it flakes easily. It’s just as delicious!
What are the benefits of eating salmon?
Oh, salmon is fantastic for you! It’s a brilliant source of high-quality protein and, most importantly, rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats are super important for heart health, brain function, and can even help reduce inflammation. Plus, it just tastes amazing!
How do I know when the salmon is cooked?
It’s pretty simple, really! The salmon will change from a translucent deep pink to a more opaque, lighter pink color. The easiest way to tell is to gently poke it with a fork or knife near the thickest part. If it flakes apart easily, it’s perfectly cooked and ready to go. Don’t overcook it, or it can get a bit dry!
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Just a heads-up, the nutrition can wiggle around a bit depending on the exact brands you use, but here’s a ballpark for one serving of this super easy grilled salmon. We’re looking at roughly 350-400 calories, about 30-35g of protein, and around 20-25g of fat (mostly the good healthy kind from the salmon and oil!). Carbs are super low, thanks to that simple chili mayo!
Share Your Quick Salmon Creations!
I just love hearing how your quick salmon dinners turn out! Did you try this recipe? Did you jazz it up with something extra? Let me know in the comments below – I read every single one! And if you snap a pic, please tag me on social media; I’d be thrilled to see your delicious creations. For more home-cooking inspiration, you can always pop over to my blog’s homepage!
Easy Grilled Salmon with Chili Mayo
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Rinse the salmon fillets and pat them dry. Season generously all over with sea salt.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat (250C).
- Brush the fillets with olive oil on all sides. Place them skin side up in a shallow roasting tin.
- When the grill is hot, place the tray underneath it and grill for 5 minutes. Turn the salmon over and grill on the other side for 5 minutes again.
- In the meantime, stir the sweet chilli sauce with mayo in a small bowl.
- Serve the salmon with the chilli mayo and lemon quarters.
