Looking for an easy meal to prepare that doesn’t compromise nutrition and flavor? Try this recipe for Grilled Salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, this dish is as healthy as it is delicious.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This grilled salmon recipe is a quick and healthy dinner option for a weekend with the family.
- Salmon is full of omega 3 fatty acids, protein and potassium. It reduces the risk of heart disease and improves brain health!
- It doesn’t require any fancy seasoning. The salmon’s flavor is complemented by nothing more than salt and pepper while the most exotic thing the asparagus requires is dill. There’s a very good chance you already have all 3 in your kitchen.
What To Look For When Shopping For Salmon
The quality of your meal can come down to the quality of the fish steak you choose at the grocery store. You don’t want your meal to be a failure before you’ve even started cooking it! Here are some tips to bear in mind on what to look for in choosing your salmon.
Freshness: Ask to hold the salmon. It should be firm, moist, and free of any brown spots or discoloration. The flesh should bounce back when pressed and should not be overly pungent.
Color: Fresh salmon will have a pinkish-orange color. If it looks pale or dull, it could be a sign that it is not as fresh as it could be.
Skin: Its skin (should it still have it) should be shiny and not slimy.
Origin: Choose salmon that is sustainably sourced, if possible. Look for labels that indicate where the fish was caught or farmed, and choose options that are certified by a reputable third-party organization, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).
Frozen vs. Fresh: While I recommend fresh fish, frozen salmon can also be used. Look for frozen salmon that is individually wrapped, free of freezer burn, and has been flash-frozen to preserve freshness.
Ingredients
Salmon
- 2 (5 oz each) salmon fillets
- pinch of salt, pepper
Asparagus
- 1/2 lb green asparagus, wood ends removed
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- pinch of salt, pepper
- 1 lemon, sliced
- fresh dill leaves
How To Make – The Steps
Step 1: Season the salmon steaks on both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Place the steaks skin-side down in a hot pan with the butter. Sear the salmon for 5 minutes on each side until cooked.
Step 3: Preheat the grill on HIGH. Toss the trimmed green asparagus with the melted butter, salt, and pepper. Grill the asparagus for 2 minutes on each side until browned.
Step 3: Divide up the steak and asparagus. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh dill leaves. Enjoy!
What To Serve With Salmon and Asparagus
The versatility of this dish means you can pair it with a number of sides. Here are a few suggestions:
Mashed Potatoes: Learn how to make homemade mashed potatoes in advance that are then baked casserole-style right before you start the salmon. These creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect time-saving side dish.
Pasta: This pasta salad — tortellini, artichokes, tomatoes, olives, parsley, tossed in a vinaigrette — gets better and better as it sits. I would perhaps replace heavier tortellini with bowtie or farfalle.
Salad: Add this arugula Caprese salad with lemon basil dressing – a fresh spin on the classic Caprese salad. Light and fresh with crunchy croutons.
Rice: This refreshing Mediterranean rice salad is the best summer side dish. Cool basmati rice, citrus juices, herbs, spices, currants, and pistachios come together to make this fresh, flavorful, and nutritious rice salad.
FAQs
No, though most do, as the skin lends the salmon flavor. It also helps to hold the fish together, which comes in handy when flipping it.
Yes, you can use an air fryer to bake salmon. Place the salmon filet skin-side down in the basket and fry for 6-8 minutes at 450°F.
The salmon is done when the inside core reaches a temperature of 275°F. Gently press on the filet. When the flesh flakes, the salmon is done baking.
When choosing salmon at the market, look for wild-caught sockeye, my personal favorite.
It is a wild salmon from the Northern Pacific and is richer in flavor than other varieties.
No, blanching (boiling then immediately chilling the asparagus in an ice bath) is not necessary, though there are benefits. It will soften the asparagus and remove some of the bitterness. Nevertheless, it’s an added step and time-consuming, so it’s up to you what’s more important.
How To Store Grilled Salmon
Let the salmon cool completely. Store the fish in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days or freeze in a Ziploc bag for no longer than 1 month. It should be noted freezing may change the texture of the salmon. When you reheat the salmon, defrost it the night before in the fridge. To reheat, set the oven to 350°F, wrap the salmon in foil and cook for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
How To Make A Perfect Grilled Salmon
Ingredients
The Salmon
- 2 5 oz each Salmon Filets
- pinch of salt pepper
The Asparagus
- 1/2 lb green asparagus wood ends removed
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- pinch of salt pepper
- 1 lemon sliced
- fresh dill leaves
Instructions
- Season the salmon steaks on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the steaks skin-side down in a hot pan with the butter. Sear salmon for 5 minutes on each side until cooked.
- Preheat the grill on HIGH. Toss the trimmed green asparagus with the melted butter, salt and pepper. Grill the asparagus for 2 minutes on each side until browned.
- Divide up the salmon and asparagus. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh dill leaves. Serve!
