Name: Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Avocado Salsa
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs wild caught salmon filets, either a whole piece or cut into smaller fillets; 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 cloves minced garlic; 1 tbsp dijon mustard; 0.5 tsp sea salt; 1 cup diced strawberries; 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced; 0.5 red onion, diced; 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced; 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro; 1 lime, juiced; 0.25 tsp sea salt; 1 tsp coconut aminos, can sub honey if not Whole30

My Summer Salmon Secret

I want to share my favorite summer salmon recipe. It is a balsamic grilled salmon. The marinade is sweet and tangy. It makes the fish so tender.

You top it with a strawberry avocado salsa. The red berries and green avocado look so pretty. Doesn’t that sound fresh? This grilled salmon recipe is perfect for warm nights. It feels like a celebration on a plate.

A Salsa That Tells a Story

Let me tell you about the salsa. My grandson thought it was a dessert topping! I still laugh at that. He tried it and his eyes got wide. Now he asks for it on everything.

Mixing strawberries with onion and jalapeno is a fun surprise. The sweet, creamy, and spicy tastes all dance together. Why this matters is simple. It turns a plain piece of fish into a happy memory. What is the most surprising food combo you have ever loved?

Why This Meal Feels Good

This is a truly healthy salmon recipe. It is packed with good things for your body. The salmon has oils that are great for your brain. The salsa is full of vitamins from the fresh fruit.

It is also a Whole30 salmon and paleo salmon recipe. That means no grains, dairy, or processed sugar. It is naturally a gluten free dinner. You can eat it and feel light and energetic after. That is a win for any easy weeknight meal.

Grilling Without the Fuss

Now, about cooking. I use the foil packet trick every time. You just wrap the salmon up like a gift. Then you place it on the grill. No sticking, no flipping drama.

*Fun fact*: Cooking salmon in a packet keeps all the yummy juices inside. The steam makes it impossible to dry out. Do you prefer to grill, bake, or pan-sear your fish? I am always curious about other people’s favorite ways.

A Simple Choice That Matters

I always look for wild caught salmon. Why this matters is about care. Wild fish live a natural life in the ocean. Choosing them helps take care of our waters too.

Making this dish is about more than food. It is about choosing good ingredients. It is about sharing a colorful, tasty meal with people you love. That is the best recipe of all. Will you try this strawberry avocado salsa on anything else? I sometimes eat it with a spoon!

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Wild caught salmon filets	1.5 lbs	Can be a whole piece or cut into smaller fillets
Balsamic vinegar	4 tbsp
Olive oil	3 tbsp
Garlic, minced	2 cloves
Dijon mustard	1 tbsp
Sea salt	0.5 tsp	For the marinade
Strawberries, diced	1 cup	For the salsa
Avocado	1	Peeled, pitted and diced
Red onion, diced	0.5
Jalapeno	1	Seeded and diced
Fresh cilantro, chopped	0.25 cup
Lime, juiced	1
Sea salt	0.25 tsp	For the salsa
Coconut aminos	1 tsp	Can substitute honey if not Whole30

Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Avocado Salsa

Instructions

Step 1: Let’s make the marinade for our balsamic grilled salmon. Whisk the balsamic vinegar, oil, garlic, mustard, and salt. Place your wild caught salmon in a dish. Spoon that lovely marinade all over the top. Let it sit in the fridge for one hour. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?

Step 2: Now, make the fresh strawberry avocado salsa. Dice your strawberries and avocado. Mix them with onion, jalapeno, and cilantro. Stir in the lime juice and salt. This salsa makes any healthy salmon recipe sing. (A tip: add the avocado last so it stays nice and green.)

Step 3: Time to cook! For this grilled salmon recipe, heat your grill. I like to cook the salmon in a foil packet. This keeps it so moist. Place the marinated salmon inside and seal it tight. Grill for about 15 minutes. Do you prefer grilling or baking fish? Share below!

Step 4: You can also bake or pan-sear it. For baking, use a parchment-lined sheet. Bake at 450°F until it flakes. This is such an easy weeknight meal. Let the salmon rest for five minutes after cooking. Then, top it all with that gorgeous strawberry salsa.

Creative Twists

Swap strawberries for juicy peaches in your salsa. Use the marinade on chicken for a different paleo salmon recipe night. Serve your gluten free dinner in lettuce wrap tacos. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving & Pairing Ideas

This summer salmon recipe is perfect with a simple side. I love it with a big, leafy green salad. A side of roasted sweet potatoes is wonderful, too. For a true Whole30 salmon plate, that’s all you need. You could also add some cilantro lime cauliflower rice. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Salmon Fresh and Tasty

Let’s talk about storing this lovely meal. First, let the salmon and salsa cool completely. Store them in separate containers in the fridge. They will stay good for about two days. The salsa is best eaten fresh, though.

You can freeze the cooked salmon for later. Wrap it tightly in foil, then place it in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight when you are ready.

Reheat salmon gently so it stays moist. I use the oven at a low temperature. I once reheated fish too fast and it dried out. Now I am always patient. This matters because good food deserves care.

This grilled salmon recipe is perfect for batch cooking. Make a double portion of the salmon on Sunday. You will have a healthy salmon recipe ready for a busy weeknight. It makes an easy weeknight meal feel special.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups

We all face little problems when we cook. Here are three common ones with easy fixes. First, your fish sticks to the pan. Make sure your pan is hot before adding the oil. Then, make sure the oil is hot before adding the salmon.

Second, the salsa gets too watery. Always dice your strawberries and avocado right before mixing. I remember when I cut mine too early. The whole bowl was a juicy mess. Draining any extra lime juice can help, too.

Third, you are unsure when the salmon is done. Use a fork to gently flake a piece. It should look slightly opaque in the very center. This matters for perfect flavor and texture every time.

Fixing these small issues builds your cooking confidence. You will feel like a pro. This turns a simple gluten free dinner into a celebration. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

What to serve with grilled salmon and strawberry avocado salsa?

This balsamic grilled salmon is very versatile. I love simple sides that do not overpower it. Try cilantro-lime cauliflower rice for a light, paleo salmon recipe base. A crisp green salad or grilled asparagus also works beautifully. These sides keep your healthy salmon recipe fresh and balanced for any season.

How to make strawberry avocado salsa for salmon?

This salsa is wonderfully simple. Dice one cup of strawberries and one avocado. Add half a diced red onion and one diced jalapeno. Mix in cilantro, lime juice, salt, and coconut aminos. Gently stir everything together. Let it sit for ten minutes so the flavors can marry perfectly.

Can you grill salmon with the skin on?

Yes, you absolutely can grill salmon with the skin on. The skin helps hold the fillet together. It also gets wonderfully crispy. For this grilled salmon recipe, I recommend using the foil packet method. The skin will not get as crisp, but it keeps the fish incredibly moist and flavorful.

What are the best sides for grilled salmon?

The best sides are fresh and simple. They should complement the rich fish and sweet salsa. Think of seasonal vegetables or light grains. My favorites are quinoa salad, roasted sweet potatoes, or steamed green beans. This summer salmon recipe also loves a side of fresh corn on the cob.

How to tell when grilled salmon is done?

Knowing when salmon is done is easy. The flesh will flake easily with a fork. The center should be slightly opaque, not translucent. You can also use a thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit for perfect, safe results every time.

What are some variations on strawberry salsa for fish?

You can have fun with your salsa. Try using mango instead of strawberries for a tropical twist. You could also use peaches when they are in season. For a herb change, use mint instead of cilantro. A *fun fact*: adding a little diced cucumber makes it extra refreshing on a hot day.

Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this wild caught salmon dish as much as I do. It feels like sunshine on a plate. It is a truly easy weeknight meal that does not taste rushed. Cooking should bring joy, not stress.

I would love to hear about your cooking adventure. Tell me how it went in your kitchen. Your stories are my favorite thing to read. Have you tried this recipe? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy cooking!
—Marina Caldwell