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Grilled Bourbon Glazed Salmon with Fresh Herbs

Grilled Bourbon Glazed Salmon - featured image
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This easy and flavorful grilled salmon features a sweet, sticky bourbon glaze layered in stages and finished with a burst of fresh herbs. Perfect for summer cookouts, family dinners, or impressing guests, it’s a quick, crowd-pleasing meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each, skin-on or off)
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Olive oil (for brushing)
  • 1/3 cup bourbon whiskey
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, sliced thin
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.
  2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Clean and oil the grates well.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine bourbon, maple syrup or honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, for 6–8 minutes until thickened and syrupy. Remove from heat.
  4. Brush both sides of salmon fillets lightly with olive oil.
  5. Place fillets skin-side down on the hot grill. Close the lid and cook for 3–4 minutes.
  6. Open the lid, brush the top of the fillets with a generous layer of bourbon glaze, and gently flip the fillets. Grill another 2–3 minutes, brush again with glaze, and check for doneness. Salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork (internal temp 125–130°F for medium).
  7. Brush fillets with a final layer of glaze in the last minute for extra shine and stickiness.
  8. Transfer salmon to a platter and let rest for 2–3 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, dill, and chives.
  9. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Marinate salmon for no more than 15 minutes to avoid mushiness. Layer the glaze for best flavor and keep an eye on the grill to prevent burning. If you don’t have fresh herbs, substitute with dried, but fresh is best. You can bake the salmon at 425°F for 12–15 minutes if you don’t have a grill.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled salmon, bourbon glaze, summer dinner, easy salmon recipe, fresh herbs, BBQ, healthy fish, gluten-free, quick dinner, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/grilled-bourbon-glazed-salmon-recipe-easy-flavorful-dinner/