This Hawaiian-style grilled salmon recipe is the ultimate way to enjoy fresh seafood, especially during the sun-drenched days of summer. Wild Alaskan Salmon, known for its rich flavor and robust texture, becomes extraordinarily tender and juicy when bathed in our unique sweet and savory marinade and then grilled to perfection. The addition of grilled pineapple rings isn’t just for show; it infuses each bite of salmon with a delightful fruity sweetness, creating a truly unforgettable meal.

The secret lies in our simple yet incredibly flavorful marinade. It combines classic pantry staples like rich ketchup, umami-packed soy sauce, pungent minced garlic, deep brown sugar, tangy pineapple juice, aromatic sesame oil, earthy oregano, zesty ginger, and a touch of heat from crushed red pepper. This symphony of flavors penetrates the fish, ensuring every flake is bursting with taste.

For a fantastic time-saving tip, consider using pre-cored pineapple. This small shortcut can significantly reduce prep time, allowing you to get this delectable dish on the table even faster. Serve this Hawaiian Salmon with its grilled pineapple, a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions, and your favorite summer sides like a fresh garden salad or a vibrant vegetable medley. Your guests will be raving about this delicious and easy-to-make salmon dish!

I love pairing this salmon recipe with refreshing sides such as Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables, a creamy yet light No Mayo Potato Salad, or a zesty Summer Orzo Pasta Salad. These combinations enhance the tropical flavors and create a well-rounded meal.

Why You Will Love This Hawaiian Salmon Recipe

This Hawaiian Grilled Salmon isn’t just another weeknight meal; it’s a delightful experience that brings vibrant flavors and simple cooking together. Here are several reasons why this recipe will quickly become a household favorite:

• Explosion of Flavor: The marinade is truly what sets this salmon apart. The tropical sweetness of pineapple juice harmonizes beautifully with the savory depth of soy sauce, the pungent kick of ginger, and the tangy notes of ketchup. This unique blend deeply infuses the salmon fillets, creating a complex and incredibly satisfying flavor profile that will tantalize your taste buds.
• Effortlessly Simple: Despite its gourmet taste and impressive presentation, this is a surprisingly easy recipe to master. Even beginner cooks can achieve a “wow” factor with minimal effort. While grilling provides a fantastic smoky char, this versatile recipe can also be effortlessly baked in the oven or prepared quickly in an air fryer, making it perfect for any kitchen setup.
• Family-Friendly Appeal: Introducing salmon to picky eaters can sometimes be a challenge, but this recipe makes it simple and appealing. The sweeter flavors from the pineapple and brown sugar in the marinade make this salmon exceptionally palatable for children and adults alike. It’s a wonderful way to get your little ones to enjoy healthy fish without a fuss.
• Healthy & Nutritious: Salmon is a powerhouse of nutrition, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential vitamins like D and B12. This recipe offers a delicious way to incorporate these vital nutrients into your diet, supporting heart health, brain function, and overall well-being.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, looking for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner, or preparing a special meal for guests, this Hawaiian Grilled Salmon fits the bill. Its vibrant flavors and appealing presentation make it suitable for casual gatherings and more formal occasions.

Essential Recipe Ingredients

Crafting this flavorful Hawaiian Grilled Salmon requires a few key ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating the signature sweet and savory profile:

• Salmon: The star of our dish! While any quality salmon fillet will work, I highly recommend opting for wild-caught salmon when possible. Its richer flavor and firmer texture stand up beautifully to the bold marinade. Ensure your fillets are roughly even in thickness for consistent cooking.
• Pineapple: This recipe uses both fresh pineapple (ideally pre-cored and sliced into rings for convenience) and pineapple juice. The fruit brings a juicy, sweet, and slightly tart contrast to the savory salmon, while the juice forms the acidic backbone of our marinade, tenderizing the fish and infusing it with tropical notes.
• Soy Sauce: A fundamental ingredient for Asian-inspired marinades, low-sodium soy sauce provides the essential umami and a balanced saltiness. It perfectly counters the sweetness from the pineapple and brown sugar, creating a harmonious Hawaiian-style flavor.
• Brown Sugar: This adds a deep, molasses-rich sweetness to the marinade, contributing to that desirable caramelized exterior when grilled. It’s crucial for balancing the salty and acidic components.
• Ginger: Whether you choose fresh grated ginger for a vibrant, zesty punch or ground ginger for convenience, this spice adds a warm, slightly peppery, and aromatic kick. Ginger is a classic pairing for Asian and tropical flavors, enhancing the overall profile of the marinade.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable for its aromatic and pungent depth. It builds the savory foundation of the marinade, complementing all the other ingredients.
• Ketchup: While it might seem unconventional, ketchup provides a unique sweet and tangy base to the marinade, adding body and a subtle, familiar flavor that ties everything together.
• Oregano: A hint of dried oregano adds an earthy, slightly peppery note, contributing to the savory complexity and Mediterranean twist within the Hawaiian-inspired flavors.
• Crushed Red Pepper: For those who enjoy a little heat, crushed red pepper flakes offer a pleasant spicy kick that brightens the entire dish and adds another layer of flavor without overpowering the salmon. Adjust to your preferred level of spice.
• Sesame Oil: (From the original description, not explicitly listed in bullet points but in the paragraph) A small amount of sesame oil adds a nutty, aromatic depth to the marinade, enhancing the overall savory profile.

Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Salmon

Begin by whisking together your vibrant Hawaiian marinade. In a large mixing bowl or a sturdy, sealable ziplock bag, combine the soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, ketchup, ground or fresh ginger, oregano, crushed red pepper, and pineapple juice. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the sugar has dissolved.

Carefully add your salmon fillets to the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. If using a bowl, gently turn the salmon to cover. If using a ziplock bag, massage the bag to distribute the marinade evenly. Refrigerate the salmon for a minimum of 20 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate. For a deeper flavor, you can marinate for up to 2 hours, but avoid marinating for too long as the acidity can start to break down the delicate fish.

Step 2: Prepare the Grill for Cooking

Once your salmon has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This helps the fish cook more evenly. While the salmon rests, it’s time to prepare your grill. Ensure your grill grates are clean. Then, spray them generously with non-stick cooking spray or brush them with olive oil to prevent the delicate salmon from sticking. Heat your grill to a medium-high temperature (around 400-450°F or 200-230°C). A hot grill will give you those desirable sear marks and prevent sticking.

Step 3: Grill to Perfection and Serve

Carefully place the marinated salmon fillets and the pineapple rings directly onto the hot, oiled grill grates. As they cook, use a brush to coat both the salmon and pineapple with any remaining marinade. This adds extra flavor and helps create a beautiful glaze.

Close the grill lid and cook for approximately 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 145°F (63°C) at its thickest part. If you prefer to grill without flipping, place the salmon skin-side down for about 13-15 minutes total, or until it reaches the desired internal temperature and easily flakes with a fork. The skin will crisp up beautifully and act as a natural barrier to prevent sticking.

Once cooked, gently remove the salmon and pineapple from the grill using a fish spatula to keep the fillets intact. Transfer the salmon to a serving platter and garnish generously with freshly chopped green onions, cilantro, or parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Arrange the grilled pineapple alongside the salmon, allowing your guests to enjoy that sweet, smoky complement with every bite. Serve immediately and savor the taste of the tropics!

Expert Grilling Tips & Recipe Notes

While the step-by-step instructions guide you through the process, these additional tips and tricks will help you achieve the most delicious and perfectly cooked Hawaiian grilled salmon every time.

• Grilling Method: You have options! If you prefer flipping the salmon, grill for 6-7 minutes per side. However, a fantastic alternative is to grill the salmon exclusively skin-side down for about 13-15 minutes. This method helps the skin become beautifully crispy while the flesh cooks through without needing to flip, reducing the chance of the delicate fish breaking apart. Always use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
• Basting for Extra Flavor: Reserve a small portion of the marinade (before adding the raw salmon) to use for basting. Brushing the salmon and pineapple with this fresh marinade during cooking on the grill adds an extra layer of flavor, helps with caramelization, and keeps everything moist and tender. This is especially effective when using an outdoor BBQ grill.
• Ginger Freshness: For the most vibrant flavor, I highly recommend using fresh grated ginger. Its pungent, zesty notes really shine through. If fresh ginger isn’t available, ground ginger is a suitable substitute, just use a little less as it’s more concentrated.
• Preventing Stickage: A clean, hot, and well-oiled grill is your best friend. Make sure to scrape down your grill grates before heating, and apply oil just before placing the fish. Don’t try to move the salmon too early; let it cook for a few minutes to form a crust, then it will naturally release from the grates.
• Resting the Fish: Just like meat, salmon benefits from a brief rest after grilling. Transfer the cooked salmon to a platter and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and moist fillet.

Ways to Modify and Customize Your Salmon

This Hawaiian Grilled Salmon recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for various substitutions and additions to suit your taste and what you have on hand. Here are some fantastic ways to customize this delicious dish:

• Juice Alternatives: If fresh pineapple juice is hard to find, don’t worry! Orange juice makes an excellent alternative, offering a similar sweet and acidic profile that complements the other marinade ingredients beautifully.
• Pineapple Options: While fresh pineapple rings are wonderful for grilling, canned pineapple rings (drained, but save the juice for the marinade!) are a convenient and perfectly acceptable substitute. They still caramelize beautifully on the grill and provide that essential tropical sweetness.
• Spice It Up: For those who love a fiery kick, feel free to increase the amount of crushed red pepper. You could also experiment with a dash of cayenne pepper or a swirl of sriracha sauce in the marinade to elevate the heat level.
• Add Grilled Vegetables: Make it a complete meal by grilling your favorite vegetables alongside the salmon and pineapple. Asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, or even broccoli florets tossed with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper can be grilled at the same time for a convenient and healthy side.
• Alternative Proteins: Not a salmon fan, or just looking for a change? This marinade works wonderfully with other proteins! Try it with chicken breasts or thighs, pork tenderloin, or even firm white fish like mahi-mahi or cod. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
• Different Cooking Methods: No grill? No problem! This salmon can be easily baked in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 12-18 minutes, or cooked in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-14 minutes, flipping halfway. Ensure to line baking sheets or air fryer baskets for easy cleanup.