Hello, food lovers! Today, I'm sharing one of my absolute favorite vibrant and flavorful dishes that's as good for your body as it is for your taste buds. This recipe brings together perfectly cooked, flaky salmon with a refreshing, sweet-and-savory salsa. It’s a healthy, easy dinner perfect for any day of the week!
📜 Ingredients
For the Pan-Seared Salmon:
2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar (optional, for a slight glaze)
Lime wedges for serving
For the Zesty Mango Avocado Salsa:
1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
1 ripe avocado, pitted, peeled, and diced
1/4 red onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Pinch of sea salt
📝 Instructions
- Prepare the Salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the diced mango, diced avocado, finely diced red onion, chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of sea salt. Gently toss everything together. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld while you cook the salmon.
- Season the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper, and brown sugar (if using). Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the salmon fillets.
- Heat the Skillet: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear the Salmon: Carefully place the salmon fillets, skin-side down (if applicable), into the hot skillet. Cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Flip the salmon fillets and cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your fillets.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked salmon fillets to plates. Spoon a generous amount of the Zesty Mango Avocado Salsa over each fillet. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge and a sprinkle of extra cilantro, if desired. Enjoy immediately!
💡 Chef's Tips
- Perfect Doneness: For perfectly flaky salmon, aim for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Be careful not to overcook, as it can become dry.
- Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your salmon seasoning or a tiny bit of finely minced jalapeño to your salsa for an extra kick!
