How Long Does It Take to Cook Salmon on a Weber Grill?

Cooking salmon on the grill can seem intimidating for beginner grillers, You want the salmon to come out tender and flaky on the inside with a nice char on the outside, Undercook it and the texture will be gummy and raw tasting, Overcook it and your once-moist salmon will end up dry and tough

So how long does it take to grill salmon to perfection? The cooking time can vary based on a few factors

Thickness of the Salmon Filet

• Thinner salmon fillets, around 1/2 inch thick, will cook faster and may only need 2-4 minutes per side.
• For thicker salmon fillets, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick, you’ll need a little more time – about 4-6 minutes per side.

Heat Level

• Cooking over high, direct heat around 500°F will significantly cut down the grilling time compared to using a lower temperature setting.
• If grilling on medium heat around 400°F, extend cooking time by a couple of minutes per side.

Desired Doneness

• For medium doneness with a hint of pink in the center, salmon will need less time on the grill.
• To achieve well done salmon, cook for a minute or two longer per side.

Type of Weber Grill

The type of Weber grill you use can impact total cooking time as well. Grilling salmon on one of these popular Weber grill models? Here’s how long your salmon will need:

Gas Grill

Weber gas grills like the Spirit, Genesis, and Summit models make it easy to get direct, high heat for fast salmon grilling times. With all burners on high, expect around 4-6 minutes per side for 1-inch thick salmon fillets.

Charcoal Grill

On charcoal grills like the Weber Kettle, heat control can be trickier but you can mimic gas grill direct heat by piling coals on one side. Let the coals get very hot, then place the salmon over direct heat and grill for 4-6 minutes per side.

Pellet Grill

Weber pellet grills like the Weber Smokey Mountain run hot enough to grill salmon in just a few minutes per side. Grill around 400-500°F and expect closer to 8 minutes total cooking time for 1-inch thick salmon.

Electric Grill

Electric grills like the Weber Pulse and Lumin are simple to preheat to 500°F+ for quick salmon grilling. 1-inch fillets will take 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Thinner salmon may only need 2-4 minutes total.

5 Tips for Grilling Salmon on a Weber

Follow these tips for foolproof salmon every time you fire up your Weber:

• Pat salmon dry – Rub down fillets with paper towels before seasoning. Moisture on the surface can cause sticking.

• Use nonstick spray – Mist grates with nonstick spray before placing salmon on the grill. Weber also sells a reusable sear grate for extra insurance against sticking.

• Get the grill very hot – Preheat your Weber grill on high for at least 10-15 minutes first. Sear salmon over direct heat.

• Resist flipping too soon – Salmon shouldn’t be moved or flipped until it naturally releases from the grates. If it sticks, let it cook another minute or two before trying again.

• Pull salmon before it’s done – Salmon will continue cooking after being removed from the grill. So take it off just shy of your desired doneness and allow carryover cooking to finish it off.

How to Tell When Salmon is Done

Checking appearance and feel are the best ways to test salmon for doneness while grilling:

• The salmon should have nice grill marks on the surface.

• Press the thickest part of the fillet with your finger – it should still have some resistance but feel close to firm.

• Flake the center using a fork. When opaque and beginning to flake, but still moist inside, it’s ready.

• An instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part should read 125°F for medium rare or 140°F for medium doneness.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

It can be disheartening when salmon turns out overcooked, dry or stuck to the grill grates. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Salmon is undercooked – Make sure to preheat grill adequately before adding fish. Cook for a minute or two longer per side if still translucent inside.

• Salmon is overcooked – Be careful not to cook for too long over high heat. Remove sooner and let carryover cooking finish it off the grill.

• Salmon is sticking – Always oil grates first and allow salmon to release naturally before flipping. If it sticks, wait longer before attempting to flip again.

• Salmon flakes apart – Gently flip only once during cooking and use a thin spatula to remove salmon when done. Avoid moving it around too much on the grill.

• Salmon has no char – Increase heat and cook just 1-2 minutes longer per side to develop deeper char marks on the exterior.

Grilled Salmon Recipes

Once you’ve mastered the basics, try out these delicious grilled salmon recipes on your Weber:

• Maple Plank Salmon – Sweet, smoky maple flavor topped with a mustard glaze. Grilled on cedar planks for extra aroma.

• Lemon Garlic Salmon – Salmon filets coated in lemony garlic butter then grilled until caramelized.

• Cajun Salmon – Blackened Cajun spices give a kick to salmon fillets. Serve with mango salsa.

• Salmon Teriyaki Kebabs – Bold teriyaki salmon cubes grilled on skewers with peppers and pineapple.

• Honey BBQ Salmon – Smothered in honey barbecue sauce for finger-licking sweet and savory flavor.

So next time you’re looking for a quick, easy, and healthy dinner, give salmon on the grill a try. In about 6-8 minutes per side you can enjoy incredibly moist, flavorful salmon cooked to smoky perfection.

On a Weber grill, grilling salmon typically takes about 6-10 minutes total, including the initial grilling on one side and flipping to cook the other side.

Whether grilling salmon in foil is “better” depends on your priorities. Foil grilling can be easier, especially for beginners or thicker fillets, and helps retain moisture, preventing the fish from drying out.

No, you don’t have to flip salmon when grilling, especially if you’re grilling it skin-side down. Grilling salmon skin-side down helps retain moisture and fat, and you can achieve a crispy skin and a cooked fish without flipping.