Pat salmon dry with paper towels
Season lightly with salt and black pepper
Add optional olive oil or melted butter to help seasonings stick
Use one of these seasoning options:
Lemon pepper: lemon zest + lemon juice + black pepper
Garlic herb: minced garlic + chopped dill or parsley + lemon zest
Cajun: Cajun seasoning + a pinch of paprika
Maple soy: soy sauce + maple syrup + grated ginger + garlic
Everything bagel: everything bagel seasoning
Smoked paprika: smoked paprika + garlic powder + salt
Let salmon sit 10–20 minutes at room temperature (or up to 30 minutes in the fridge) before cooking
For grilling or broiling: brush off excess marinade/sauce to prevent burning
Cook until just done, then finish with a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of olive oil if desired