Grilled Salmon Strawberry Salsa (Printable version)

Juicy grilled salmon paired with a fresh, zesty strawberry salsa for a light, vibrant meal.

# Ingredient list:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets, skin-on, 6 oz each
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
04 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Strawberry Salsa

07 - 1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
08 - ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
09 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
10 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
11 - Juice of 1 lime
12 - ½ teaspoon honey
13 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnish

14 - Lemon wedges
15 - Fresh cilantro leaves

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F.
02 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and lemon zest.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine diced strawberries, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, and honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss and allow flavors to meld for 5 minutes.
04 - Place salmon fillets skin-side down on grill. Close lid and grill for 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip and grill for 2 to 3 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
05 - Remove salmon from grill and rest for 2 minutes before plating.
06 - Top each salmon fillet with generous portions of strawberry salsa. Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The sweet-tart strawberry salsa cuts through the rich salmon like a cool breeze on a hot day.
  • Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, which means weeknight dinners that feel fancy but aren't stressful.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, so you're not sacrificing flavor for dietary flexibility.
02 -
  • Pat your salmon completely dry before oiling; any moisture will cause it to steam rather than sear properly on the grill.
  • Make the salsa just before grilling so the strawberries stay bright and don't release too much liquid and become mushy.
  • Don't flip the salmon more than once; it's delicate, and too much handling breaks the skin and dries out the flesh.
03 -
  • If your grill isn't available, a grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat works beautifully and gives you almost the same results in your kitchen.
  • For deeper flavor, marinate the salmon in olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of herbs for 30 minutes before grilling if you have the time.
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