No-Mess Grilled Salmon with Herbs and Garlic in Foil Pack

Are you ready to try the easiest, no-mess way to cook fish? This recipe for Grilled Salmon with Herbs and Garlic is cooked entirely inside a foil pack, which guarantees perfectly moist, tender fish every single time.

We love grilling and have a long season for it. You can totally use the recipe and cook it on a stovetop instead of the grill or in the oven using the foil pack.

The foil pack method is what makes this recipe a weeknight favorite. It ensures the salmon is “poached” in its own juices and the infused herb flavor is maxed out—plus, cleanup is literally zero. This delicious, healthy dinner is one of the quickest ways to get fish on the table!

Grilled Salmon with Herbs 

Foil Pack Grilled Salmon Ingredients Checklist

1. Salmon: purchase 3-6 salmon steaks. (4-6 oz each)
   Wild-caught or farmed, skin on or off.
2. Olive Oil

   

   or non-stick olive oil

   

3. Lemon or lemon pepper
4. Chopped Garlic 3-4 cloves.
5. The other herbs are fresh sprigs of sage (optional)
6. 1-2 tsp. dried thyme

   

7. Pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions: No-Mess Grilled Salmon

The key to this delicious dish is the foil pack, which acts as a miniature oven on your grill, locking in moisture and flavor. Remember, you can also bake this at 400°F (200°C) or cook it on the stovetop using a lidded pan.

Preparing the Foil Packs and Salmon

Prep the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 375°F or 190°C).

Prep the Foil: Lay out two large (approximately 18-inch) pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil. You will double-layer the foil if yours is thin. Fold up all four edges of each sheet slightly to create a low-sided dish or bowl.

Step 1. Add just a touch of olive oil to the bottom of the foil before adding the salmon.

Step 2. Add freshly squeezed lemon to the salmon. 

Step 3. Next, add the herbs and minced garlic. 

Step 4. Add fresh sage if you have it. Then you are ready to seal the salmon and start grilling.

Sealing and Grilling the Salmon

Step 5. Cover the top with foil so it cooks enclosed on the grill.

1. Seal the Pack: Bring the long sides of the foil together over the top of the salmon. Fold the edges over twice to create a tight, sealed seam. Then, roll and seal the ends of the pack to fully enclose the fish. Ensure the pack is sealed completely to trap the moisture.
2. Grill: Place the sealed foil packs on the preheated grill grates. Cook for 12–15 minutes. The cook time depends on the thickness of your salmon.
3. Check for Doneness: Carefully open one packet (steam will escape!) and gently flake the salmon with a fork. It is done when it is opaque throughout and flakes easily. If it needs more time, reseal the pack and cook for 2–3 more minutes.

Prepare the side dishes, vegetables, and rice.

1. Prepare all your veggies. If they are going to take more than 15 minutes, I like to start them before cooking the salmon dinner. Keeping them warm and ready until serving.
2. Make rice

   

   or other side dishes first, as this will cook quickly.
3. Typically, the salmon will cook in about 12-15, (max 20 minutes if very thick and large), depending on the heat of your grill and the thickness of the fish.
4. Check your salmon with a fork after using hot pads and tongs to open the foil. Be careful about escaping steam. When the fish is flaky enough to fork, it's done.

Serving the No-Mess Dinner

Serve: You can serve the salmon directly from the foil pack to keep the platter clean, or carefully transfer the salmon to a plate, pouring the flavorful juices and herbs over the top.

Rest: Remove the foil packs from the grill and let them rest on a plate for 2 minutes—the steam inside will finish the cooking process.

Side dishes I used for this dinner

I prepared egg noodles and had them ready to serve. I also sauteed garlic, sliced mushrooms, and red bell peppers to top the bed of egg noodles, which completed the meal. But we often serve fish dishes in our home with rice and salad. Pick your favorite side dishes.

Recipe Notes

• We used 3 pieces of salmon. If increasing steaks, increase the herbs.) See notes on servings per person.
• You can use Butter or Olive Oil, 1 tsp per fillet
• Garlic Cloves: Peeled, chopped (or minced) garlic cloves. I used 3-4 garlic cloves. Or garlic powder

  Also, you can use less garlic if you don't want it so garlic-y. For serving, you can scrape the minced garlic to the side or serve it as is and let the person eating decide if they want the garlic.

Notes on serving sizes:

I hope you enjoy this as much as we did. There weren't any leftovers for us, and the meal served three (two adults and one teenager).

The recipe will easily feed 2 adults and 1 teenager or 2 adults and 2 children. Additional servings can easily be made as needed.

Salmon Servings Per Person

For salmon fillets, the typical recommended serving size to calculate how much to buy is 4 to 6 ounces (about 113 to 170 grams) per person.

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Yield: 4

No-Mess Grilled Salmon in Foil Pack

Print

This healthy, no-mess grilled salmon recipe uses a simple foil pack method to guarantee perfectly moist fish every time. Seasoned with herbs and garlic, it's a quick, zero-cleanup dinner that works on the grill, in the oven, or on the stovetop.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• Salmon 3 salmon steaks 18-ounces (4 to 6 ounces per person)
• 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil or Non-Stick Olive Oil Spray
• Lemon 1 (or lemon pepper)
• Garlic Cloves 3-4
• Sage: fresh sprigs of sage (optional)
• 1-2 teaspoons of dried thyme
• Pinch of salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

How to grill salmon with herbs

1. Make a foil pack for adding the salmon to cook in.
2. Add a little olive oil to the bottom of the foil pack.
3. Add Salmon skin side down.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over the top of the salmon.
5. Next, add the herbs.
6. Peel, chop, or mince the garlic cloves and add them to the top of the salmon.
7. Then add the fresh sage.
8. Cover the top of the (salmon) fish foil pack to enclose the salmon.
9. Grill 12-15 min. or until fork flaky.

Notes

Salmon Servings Per Person

For salmon fillets, the typical recommended serving size to calculate how much to buy is 4 to 6 ounces (about 113 to 170 grams) per person.

Before starting your fish on the grill

1. Prepare all your veggies
2. Make rice or other side dishes first, as this will cook quickly.
3. Typically, the salmon will cook in about 12-20 minutes, depending on the heat of your grill and the thickness of the fish.
4. Check your salmon with a fork after using hot pads and tongs to open the foil. Be careful about escaping steam. When the fish is flaky enough to fork, it’s done.

Tips, suggestions, substitutions

• We used 3 pieces of salmon. If increasing steaks, increase the herbs.) See notes on servings per person.
• You can use Butter or Olive Oil, 1 tsp per fillet
• Garlic Cloves: Peeled, chopped (or minced) garlic cloves. I used 3-4 garlic cloves. Or garlic powderAlso, you can use less garlic if you don't want it so garlic-y. For serving, you can scrape the minced garlic to the side or serve it as is and let the person eating decide if they want the garlic.

Find even more tips and detailed instructions on the post. Use a meat thermometer to test the salmon when cooking and when to take it off the grill.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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  Alpha Grillers Instant Read Meat Thermometer for Cooking Grill and BBQ Griddle - Waterproof w/Backlight & Calibration for Food, Oven, Air Fryer Accessories, Kitchen Essentials, Stocking Stuffer Gifts
• 
  Reynolds Wrap Standard Aluminum Foil - 200 Square Feet
• 
  8 Cedar LONG Grilling Planks (10 PACK - 8 + 2 BONUS Short planks!) - Perfect for SALMON, FISH, STEAK, VEGGIES and more. MADE IN USA! Re-use several times. FAST soaking.
• 
  AIZOAM Portable Stainless Steel BBQ Barbecue Grilling Basket for Fish,Vegetables, Steak,Shrimp, Chops and Many Other Food .Great and Useful BBQ Tool.-【Bonus an Additional Sauce Brush】.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 605Total Fat 39gSaturated Fat 7gUnsaturated Fat 28gCholesterol 163mgSodium 178mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 58g

Not all nutritional information is 100% accurate.

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• Asian Fish Tacos

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