Learn how to grill salmon to perfection with this recipe, featuring juicy salmon fillets marinated in a smoky, sweet, and citrusy chipotle-honey-lime sauce. Topped with a fresh Pineapple Tomato Avocado Salsa and served with cilantro-lime rice, this dish is perfect for summer dinners, cookouts, and BBQs.
In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, honey, neutral oil, soy sauce, lime zest, lime juice, and salt. Adjust marinade to your taste with more salt or soy sauce.
Pat the salmon filets dry and place in a resealable zip lock bag. Pour in the marinade of the salmon and gently coat. Press out as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
Marinate for 2 hours in the fridge. Remove at least 30 minutes before grilling.
Pineapple Tomato Avocado Salsa
In a medium bowl, combine the pineapple, red onion, cherry tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, lime zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Gently fold in the avocado and set aside.
Grilling the Salmon
Preheat a grill pan or grill to medium high heat and brush with neutral oil.
Remove the salmon from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. It’s important to not leave too much marinade on the salmon as the honey will burn and create an acrid taste.
Grill on each side for 3-4 minutes until charred and cooked through, 125-130 degrees for medium.
Remove from heat and let rest at least 2 minutes before serving.
OPTIONAL: In a small sauce pot, boil the marinade and brush on the salmon right before serving.
Serve
Place each filet on a plate, season with salt and pepper, and top generously with the pineapple tomato avocado salsa. Serve with lime wedges and optional sides such as coconut cilantro lime rice, plain jasmine or basmati rice, grilled veggies, or a fresh salad!
Notes
Substitution for chipotle and adobo sauce: Chipotles can be a tad spicy for some, so replacing them with ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon chili powder is a great way to still get a smoky flavor without the heat. You can also add some garlic powder.
Marination time: I don't recommend marinating the salmon for more than 4 hours as the lime juice can inhibit the texture of your salmon if left too long.
Best practices for glazing with marinade: It’s tempting to baste the salmon with the marinade while it grills, but I recommend boiling it down and coating it right before serving if you decide to use it as a glaze. If you continue to brush the salmon with the marinade while grilling, the sugars can burn and create an acrid taste as well as create a charred mess on your grill pan or grill.
Makes salsa a day in advance: You can make the salsa without adding the avocado up to 1 day in advance. Add the avocado right before serving. I recommend marinating the salmon the same day you plan to eat it.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Pan-seared or Oven-roasted: If a grill pan or a grill are not at your disposal, you can cook the salmon in a hot pan or in a 400 F degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until it reaches your desired temperature.
Want to use an Airfyer instead? Feel free to do so and follow your appliance recommendations for cooking salmon.
Storage, Reheating, Freezing & Make-Ahead Tips
Storage: Store leftover salmon and salsa separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheating: Reheat salmon gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave at 50% power to avoid drying it out. Don’t reheat the salsa.
Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing the salsa (avocado doesn’t freeze well), but you can freeze the grilled salmon (without salsa) for up to 2 months.
Make-Ahead: Marinate the salmon up to 12 hours ahead and prep the salsa (minus avocado) a few hours in advance. Dice and add avocado right before serving for the best texture.
How to Serve & What to Serve With
Cilantro-Lime Rice: That's what you see in the photos and that's what I served with my grilled salmon. Here is how to make it: Rinse 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice. In a saucepan, combine rice with 2 cups water, 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter, and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes, until tender. Let sit off heat, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in the zest and juice of 1 lime and ½ cup chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust salt or lime juice as needed.
Classic Plate: You can also serve salmon with my cilantro lime black bean rice (my favorite pairing!), plain jasmine or basmati rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carb option. Or, with my sauteed lemon spinach.
Fish Tacos: You can make tacos out of grilled salmon and salsa! Use your favorite kind of tortillas, add some shredded cabbage, and even Mexican crema!
Salad: I like serving grilled salmon over a big green salad for dinner. The next day, I toss the leftover salmon into a fresh salad—try it with arugula, spinach, or mixed greens, and add whatever crunchy veggies you have on hand. It’s an easy, protein-packed lunch.
Brunch: Top the grilled salmon with a poached egg and a little extra salsa. Serve over green salad or cooked asparagus. Or with my puff pastry egg tarts.