Salmon with Mayonnaise

With 5 ingredients and just over 20 minutes, you can make this perfect grilled salmon with mayonnaise dish.

 

 

Use cedar planks to infuse the fish with a subtle smokiness, and cover it in a spiced mayo, featuring lemon, ginger, and cilantro, that makes this one of those delicious recipes you will make again and again. 

Salmon with Mayonnaise is a flavorful dish that combines the richness of salmon with a zesty, spiced mayonnaise topping. 

This tasty recipe transforms simple salmon fillets into a gourmet meal with minimal effort, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

The spiced mayonnaise blend with lemon zest, ginger, and cilantro provides a fresh, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor that pairs beautifully with the salmon.

And if you have never grilled fish before, you need to know that for best results grilling salmon, always use a wood plank.

Grilling on cedar planks imparts a unique, smoky flavor to the salmon, enhancing its natural taste without overpowering it.

With a total cook time of just 12-16 minutes, this is one of my go-to salmon recipes since it is both time-efficient and delicious, giving you easy dinners even on busy days.

Whether you need a great grilled salmon recipe for your first time grilling fish or are just looking for a topping that will add great flavor to the dish, this spiced mayo salmon is one of those easy recipes that you will reach for again and again. It’s fast, easy, and so delicious!

 

 

What Ingredients are in Salmon with Mayonnaise?

• Salmon Fillets: The star of the dish, providing rich, healthy omega-3 fatty acids and a tender texture.
• Cedar Planks: Used for grilling the mayonnaise salmon recipe to infuse the salmon with a smoky flavor and prevent sticking.
• Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the spiced topping, adding richness and moisture to this grill salmon recipe.
• Lemon (Juice and Zest): one of my favorite flavors, lemon adds a bright, citrusy flavor that cuts through the richness of the grilled salmon with mayo.
• Ginger Paste: Provides a warm, spicy note that complements the salmon recipe with mayonnaise beautifully.
• Cilantro: Adds freshness and a hint of herbs to the mayo mixture in this fish recipe.

Pro Tip: Ensure your cedar planks are fully submerged in water for at least 2 hours to prevent them from catching fire on the grill.

 

 

How to Make Salmon with Mayonnaise:

1. Mix mayonnaise, lemon juice and zest, ginger paste, and cilantro in a small bowl. Set mixture of mayonnaise aside.
2. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
3. Place salmon fillets skin side up on the cedar planks.
4. Grill for 6-8 minutes.
5. Flip fillets so salmon skin is down, and slather the mayonnaise mixture on top of each fillet.
6. Grill for another 6-8 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Pro Tip: Keep the grill lid closed during cooking to maintain a consistent temperature and enhance the smoky flavor.

 

 

Why Put Mayo on Salmon?

We put mayo on salmon because that is the best way to keep the salmon moist during grilling.

The fat in the mayo prevents the fish from drying out, ensuring a juicy, flavorful bite every time.

Pro Tip: Use your favorite mayonnaise to make a great sauce. I prefer real mayo, but you can use whatever you have.

What Types of Salmon are There?

There are a lot of different types of salmon, each with its unique flavor and texture.

Common varieties include Atlantic salmon, which is typically farmed and has a mild flavor; and wild caught Pacific salmon.

Wild salmon varieties include King (Chinook), Sockeye, and Coho, each offering distinct taste profiles ranging from rich and buttery to lean and robust.

 

 

How to Store Salmon with Mayonnaise:

Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

It will stay fresh for up to 2 days.

How to Reheat Salmon with Mayonnaise:

Reheat leftover mayonnaise salmon on a sheet pan in the oven at a low temperature, around 275°F, for about 15 minutes or until warmed through.

This helps retain moisture and prevents overcooking so it tastes as fresh as it was last night.

Pro Tip: Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy clean up.

 

 

Can You Freeze Salmon with Mayonnaise?

Yes, you can freeze grilled slamon.

Place it in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag.

It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Is Salmon with Mayonnaise Healthy?

Yes, spiced mayo salmon is very healthy.

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health.

The mayonnaise, while adding some calories, also provides a source of healthy fats.

Overall, this salmon dish is nutritious and balanced and one of the easiest ways to get important nutrients in your diet.

 

 

What to Serve with Salmon with Mayonnaise:

Serve salmon with mayo with a light side dish that will compliment the dish. A few we recommend are: 

• Blueberry Salad Recipe
• Quinoa White Bean Salad
• Mexican Corn Salad
• Potato Gratin Stacks
• Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Farro Sweet Potato Salad
• Potato Leek and Potato Recipes
• Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
• Raw Parsnip Salad
• Simple Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Cilantro Lime Rice with Black Beans
• Farro Salad
• Potato and Asparagus Salad
• Sweet Potato Cucumber Salad
• Ginger Butternut Squash Soup

What to do with leftover Salmon with Mayonnaise:

I love leftover salmon and mayonnaise.

My favorite thing to use it for is a salmon salad.

Add your favorite dressing, some nuts and diced veggies, all over a bed of leafy greens, and you have an easy lunch the next day.

But I have been known to eat it cold for breakfast too.

What can I say, I am a salmon lover and my whole family is too, and if you want to make sure you get leftovers, try eating them for breakfast!

 

 

Is Salmon with Mayonnaise Gluten Free?

Yes, this salmon with mayonnaise recipe is naturally gluten-free.

But always double check that the packaged ingredients, particularly the mayonnaise, do not contain any gluten-containing additives.

Is Salmon with Mayonnaise Keto?

This salmon with mayonnaise dish is keto-friendly due to its high healthy fat content from both the salmon and the mayonnaise, and it contains minimal carbs.

 

 

Whether you need an easy salmon recipe or are looking for a way to make the cooking process easy on a grill, this salmon with mayonnaise is a great recipe.

It’s fast, easy, delicious, and my favorite way to serve fish because everyone loves it.

 

Originally Posted: June 10, 2016

Photos & Text Updated: August 10, 2025

 

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