Crispy-Skinned Salmon with Whole Lemon–Sesame Sauce

Perfectly grilled salmon fillets with crispy skin, served with a vibrant whole-lemon sauce featuring sesame, honey, and fresh basil. The sauce combines both the flesh and pith of the lemon for an intensely citrusy flavor that perfectly complements the rich fish.

4 servings
23 min

Ingredients

  • 4 fillets salmon fillets
  • 2⅓ tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 to taste kosher salt
  • 1 whole lemon
  • 1 whole shallot
  • 2 tsp black sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp honey
  • ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 to taste black pepper
  • 1 cup basil leaves
  • instruction

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Prepare a grill for medium heat. Rub salmon with 2 Tbsp. olive oil; season both sides with kosher salt.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Cut ends off lemon and discard. Set lemon upright on a cutting board and slice off 4 lobes, working around the core (the seeds will be left behind). Finely chop lobes (flesh, pith, and all) and transfer to a small bowl; you should have about 1/3 cup. Squeeze juice from core into bowl; discard core. Add shallot, sesame seeds, honey, sesame oil, and 1/3 cup olive oil; season with kosher salt and lots of pepper. Toss to combine.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Clean and oil grate, then immediately place salmon on grill, skin side down. Cover and grill, without turning, until skin is lightly charred and flesh is opaque all the way through, 6-8 minutes. Transfer salmon to shallow bowls or plates; let cool slightly. Spoon sauce over salmon. Top with basil; sprinkle with sea salt.

    8 min