Cast-Iron Teriyaki Salmon on the Smoker (Easy Pellet Grill Recipe)

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Smoky, buttery teriyaki salmon cooked in a cast-iron skillet on the smoker. This easy pellet grill salmon recipe is tender, flavorful, and ready in about 30 minutes.

At a Glance

• Skill Level: Easy
• Flavor Profile: Buttery, smoky, sweet-savory
• Cook Method: Smoker / pellet grill + cast iron
• Best For: Weeknight dinners, healthy grilling, light summer meals

Love recipes like this? We’ve got you covered! Check out our Spring Grilling Guide!

Rich, Buttery. . .Delicious. Salmon!

If you’ve never cooked salmon on a smoker, you’re in for a treat. This cast-iron teriyaki salmon combines rich, buttery flavor with gentle smoke from the grill, creating a dish that’s tender, juicy, and absolutely irresistible.

Cooking salmon in a cast-iron skillet keeps the fish moist while allowing it to soak up smoky flavor from the grill. A simple blend of butter, seasoning, and teriyaki sauce creates a sweet-savory glaze that pairs beautifully with the salmon.

This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough to serve guests at your next backyard cookout.

What Kind of Salmon Works Best?

You can use just about any salmon for this recipe, but a few simple tips will help you get the best results.

Fresh or frozen?
Both work great. If you’re using frozen salmon, just make sure it’s fully thawed and patted dry before seasoning.

Skin-on or skinless?
Skin-on is best for grilling. The skin helps protect the fish from direct heat and keeps it from falling apart in the skillet.

Thick vs. thin fillets
Thicker fillets cook more evenly and stay juicier on the smoker. If your salmon is on the thinner side, just keep an eye on it—it may cook a bit faster.

No matter which type you choose, the key is simple: good-quality salmon, cooked low and slow, with plenty of butter and a finishing glaze.

Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick glance at what you’ll need to make this delicious salmon recipe.

• 12 ounces salmon (fillet or portioned pieces)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon Meat Church “The Gospel” All-Purpose Rub
• ¼ cup Kinder’s Teriyaki Sauce

How to Make Cast-Iron Teriyaki Salmon on the Smoker

1. Preheat the Grill and Skillet

• Place a cast-iron skillet directly on the grill grates and preheat your smoker or pellet grill to 250°F.
• Allow the skillet to heat as the grill comes to temperature.

2. Season the Salmon

• Pat the salmon dry with paper towels.
• Sprinkle The Gospel seasoning generously on all sides of the salmon.

3. Melt the Butter

• Place 4 tablespoons butter into the hot cast-iron skillet.
• Let the butter melt completely.

4. Add the Salmon

• Carefully lay the salmon fillets into the melted butter in the skillet.
• Close the grill lid and cook at 250°F for about 25 minutes.

5. Baste During Cooking

• Every 10 minutes, open the grill and baste the salmon with the melted butter in the skillet.
• This keeps the fish moist and flavorful.
• Cook until the internal temperature reaches 130°F.

6. Add the Teriyaki Glaze

• Once the salmon reaches 130°F, open the grill and brush the top and sides of the salmon with teriyaki sauce.

Close the lid again and cook 5–10 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

7. Rest Before Serving

• Remove the skillet from the grill and allow the salmon to rest for about 5 minutes in the hot skillet.

8. Serve and Enjoy!

• This delicious salmon can be served with any number of sides but we chose rice and green beans. Yum!

Pitmaster Tips for Perfect Smoked Salmon

• Don’t skip the cast iron. It protects the salmon and holds the butter for basting.
• Use a meat thermometer. Salmon can overcook quickly.
• Keep the grill closed as much as possible to maintain steady heat and smoke.
• Apple, cherry, or pecan wood pellets pair beautifully with salmon.

Why You’ll Love This Smoked Salmon Recipe

• Cooked entirely on the grill – no kitchen mess
• Rich buttery flavor with a sweet teriyaki glaze
• Perfect for pellet grills, smokers, or charcoal grills
• Ready in about 30–35 minutes
• Foolproof method using a cast-iron skillet

Flavor Variations

This salmon is amazing, just as it is. But there are so many ways to change things up. Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

Honey Teriyaki Salmon

• Add 1 tablespoon honey to the teriyaki sauce before brushing it on.

Garlic Butter Teriyaki Salmon

• Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the melted butter before placing the salmon in the skillet.

Spicy Teriyaki Salmon

• Mix 1–2 teaspoons sriracha into the teriyaki sauce.

Pineapple Teriyaki Salmon

• Add crushed pineapple or pineapple juice to the teriyaki glaze for a tropical twist.

Questions People are Asking

Can I cook this without a smoker?

• Yes! Use a grill with indirect heat at 250°F.

Do I have to use cast iron?

• Highly recommended, but a foil pan can work in a pinch.

Can I use a different sauce?

• Absolutely—try honey garlic, BBQ glaze, or lemon butter.

What to Serve with Smoked Salmon

This smoky teriyaki salmon pairs beautifully with:

• Grilled asparagus
• Cheesy potatoes
• Steamed jasmine rice
• Grilled pineapple slices
• Skewered veggies
• Fresh garden salad

More Backyard Texas Grill Recipes to Try

If you love cooking outdoors, check out these favorites from the grill:

• Melt in Your Mouth Prime Rib: Perfectly seasoned and slow-roasted for a tender, juicy bite that practically melts in your mouth.
• Delicious Butter Burgers: Crispy-edged, juicy burgers cooked in butter for rich flavor in every bite.
• Texas Style Smoked Beef Brisket: Slow-smoked low and slow for a bold bark, deep flavor, and perfectly tender slices.
• Smoked Mac and Cheese with Panko: Creamy, smoky mac and cheese topped with a buttery, crunchy panko crust.
• Cast-Iron Skillet Peach Dump Cake: Warm, bubbly peaches topped with a golden, buttery crust—easy, rustic, and irresistible.

That’s it for this Post, Friends!

Thanks for stopping by. If you make this salmon recipe and love it, please leave a comment or review.

Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

About the Pitmaster

Pitmaster Zach is the fire-tending force behind Backyard Texas Grill. A Texas-style grilling enthusiast, Zach loves experimenting with smokers, pellet grills, and cast-iron cooking to create bold backyard flavors.

From perfectly smoked meats to skillet desserts hot off the grill, his recipes prove that some of the best meals are cooked outside over a little smoke and flame.