Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa might just become your new dinnertime obsession! Imagine smoky, perfectly seasoned salmon fillets straight off the grill, crowned with a bright, chunky salsa that brings together creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and zingy lime. It’s light, full of flavor, and ready in just over 20 minutes—perfect for weeknights or impressing your friends at a backyard gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big, Fresh Flavors: The zesty avocado salsa and smoky, spiced salmon create a flavor combo you’ll crave again and again.
- Easy & Fast: Dinner can be on the table in less than half an hour, with minimal prep and fuss—perfect after a busy day.
- Healthy & Satisfying: Packed with healthy fats, lean protein, and colorful veggies, this dish tastes indulgent but fuels your body well.
- Show-Stopping Presentation: Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa looks gorgeous and vibrant—guaranteed to wow any guest who comes to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple, whole-food ingredients to make Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa—but each one brings something fantastic to the table. They’re all about layering flavor, color, and nutrition in every bite!
- Salmon fillets: Choose skin-on fillets for the best grilling results—they hold together beautifully and stay so juicy.
- Olive oil: This adds richness and helps keep the salmon moist during grilling, plus it brings the salsa together.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses both the salmon and salsa with loads of mellow, aromatic flavor.
- Chili powder, cumin, onion powder: This spice trio brings warmth, earthiness, and just the right touch of heat to the fish.
- Salt & black pepper: Absolutely essential to make all the other flavors pop—don’t skip them!
- Avocado: Perfectly ripe avocado brings dreamy creaminess to the salsa and a lovely contrast to the salmon.
- Tomato: A juicy, diced tomato adds natural sweetness and a vibrant burst of color.
- Onion: Just a touch of diced onion brings subtle crunch and a hint of sharpness.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro offers a pop of herby brightness that ties everything together.
- Lime juice: The acidity livens up the salsa and perfectly balances the rich fish.
Variations
The beauty of Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa is how easy it is to make your own. Feel free to mix things up based on what you’ve got on hand, your dietary needs, or just your favorite flavors!
- Make it spicy: Add finely diced jalapeño or a little hot sauce to the avocado salsa for some fiery kick.
- Herb swap: Not a cilantro fan? Try chopped fresh basil or parsley for a totally different twist.
- Try different fish: This recipe works beautifully with cod, halibut, or even grilled shrimp if you prefer.
- Add extra veggies: Toss in diced cucumber, bell pepper, or corn for more crunch and color in the salsa.
How to Make Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa
Step 1: Season the Salmon
Start by stirring together olive oil, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Brush or rub this fragrant marinade generously over both sides of your salmon fillets, making sure they’re well coated for maximum flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Avocado Salsa
While the salmon soaks up its spices, gently combine your diced avocado, tomato, onion, and cilantro in a bowl. Drizzle it all with a little olive oil, squeeze in the lime juice, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Be gentle when mixing so the avocado stays nice and chunky!
Step 3: Grill the Salmon
Heat your grill or a heavy nonstick pan over medium-high. Once it’s hot, add the salmon (skin side down if using skin-on) and grill for about 5-6 minutes per side, or until it’s cooked through and has wonderful grill marks. The fish should flake easily with a fork when it’s ready.
Step 4: Plate and Top With Salsa
Remove your salmon from the grill and place it on plates. Spoon a generous mound of the fresh avocado salsa on top of each fillet. Serve immediately while the salmon is still warm and the salsa is beautifully cool and vibrant!
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa
- Choose Ripe Avocados: For the creamiest, most flavorful salsa, use avocados that yield to gentle pressure but aren’t mushy.
- Don’t Overcook the Salmon: Keep a close eye—salmon cooks quickly, and overcooking can make it dry. Pull it off the grill just as it turns opaque and flakes easily.
- Let the Salsa Rest: If you assemble your avocado salsa a few minutes ahead, the flavors meld beautifully, but don’t wait too long or the avocado may brown.
- Oil the Grill Grates: A quick swipe of olive oil on your grill or pan prevents sticking and helps you get those mouthwatering salmon grill marks!
How to Serve Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa
Garnishes
For a pop of color and extra flavor, sprinkle some extra chopped cilantro or a few finely diced red onions over the top. Thin slices of lime or lemon on the side don’t just look lovely—they let everyone add a little extra citrus zing if they’d like.
Side Dishes
This dish shines alongside light, fresh sides like a simple green salad, grilled veggies, fluffy rice, or even roasted sweet potatoes. If you want a heartier meal, serve your Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa with a side of creamy quinoa or chili-lime corn on the cob for a real summertime feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Make it party-ready by flaking the salmon and serving everything taco-bar style with mini tortillas! Or layer the salmon and salsa over a bed of mixed greens for a stunning salad. You can even create colorful bowls with brown rice, salsa, and your favorite grains—the possibilities are endless.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa (lucky you!), store the salmon and salsa separately in airtight containers. Kept this way in the fridge, the salmon will stay fresh for up to 2 days, while the salsa is best enjoyed within 24 hours for the brightest flavor and color.
Freezing
Cooked salmon freezes very well—just cool it completely, wrap tightly, and stash in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. However, skip freezing the avocado salsa; the avocado will brown and turn mushy after thawing, so always make the salsa fresh.
Reheating
Gently reheat leftover salmon in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave at a reduced power, just until warmed through. Be careful not to overheat to keep the salmon juicy—then top with freshly made avocado salsa and enjoy!
FAQs
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Can I make Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa without a grill?
Absolutely! A heavy nonstick skillet or grill pan works beautifully if you don’t have an outdoor grill. Just make sure it’s nice and hot before adding your salmon for the best sear and flavor.
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What if my avocado isn’t quite ripe?
If your avocado feels hard, place it in a paper bag with a banana or apple for a day or two at room temperature—it’ll ripen up quickly! For Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa, you really want an avocado that yields gently to pressure for the best texture.
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Can I prepare the avocado salsa in advance?
You can mix the salsa ingredients (except avocado) a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Add the avocado and lime juice just before serving to keep the salsa bright, green, and delicious.
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Is Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa gluten-free?
Yes! As written, this recipe is naturally gluten-free—no swaps needed, making it a perfect option for anyone avoiding gluten.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa—the smoky, buttery fish, that colorful, fresh-tasting salsa, and the cheerful way it brings people together around the table. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try for your next weeknight dinner or summer get-together—trust me, it’s one you’ll want to make again and again!
Print
Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Grilling
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Delight your taste buds with this flavorful Grilled Salmon topped with a zesty Avocado Salsa. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal!
Ingredients
For the Grilled Salmon:
- 2 4-6 oz salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced or crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Avocado Salsa:
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted and diced
- 1/2 cup tomato, diced (any type of tomato)
- 2 tablespoons onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Grilled Salmon: Mix olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Coat salmon with the spice mixture.
- Grill the Salmon: Heat a large non-stick pan or grill over medium-high heat. Cook salmon for 5-6 minutes per side. Remove from heat and top with Avocado Salsa.
- Make the Avocado Salsa: Combine avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Gently mix and refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with salsa
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
