Grilled Salmon Strawberry Avocado Salsa (View Print Version)

Seared salmon crowned with a zesty strawberry-avocado salsa—bright citrus and cilantro for a light summer entrée.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grilled Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp fine salt
07 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Strawberry Avocado Salsa

08 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and diced
09 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
10 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
11 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
12 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (optional)
13 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Method:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high (approximately 400°F). Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
02 - Pat salmon dry. Whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Brush mixture over all sides of the fillets.
03 - Place salmon skin-side down if applicable. Grill 4–5 minutes per side over direct heat, or until opaque and easily flakes with a fork. Remove from heat and let rest briefly.
04 - While the fish cooks, combine diced strawberries, avocado, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño (if using) and lime juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and toss gently to combine.
05 - Spoon a generous portion of strawberry‑avocado salsa over each fillet. Garnish with extra cilantro or lime wedges and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The strawberry avocado salsa takes plain salmon from simple to show-stopper—and no one expects how well it goes together.
  • This is the only summer meal I make where leftovers are never an issue because everyone sneaks back for seconds.
02 -
  • Grilling salmon too long turns it chalky—watch closely and pull it just as it flakes for juicy results.
  • I once prepped the salsa too early and the avocado went brown; now I add it right before serving for the best color.
03 -
  • Don’t press down on the salmon while grilling—it releases juices you want to keep inside the fillet for maximum tenderness.
  • Adding a little diced mango or pineapple to the salsa brightens it up for special occasions and impresses everyone at the table.
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