Name: Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs salmon fillets skin on or off; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp ancho chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground paprika; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp ground black pepper; 1 avocado cubed; ½ red onion sliced or diced; 2 limes juiced; 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

If you’re craving a dinner that feels fresh and healthy but doesn’t skimp on flavor, this Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe is about to become your new favorite. It’s smoky, zesty, and creamy—all in one quick and vibrant dish you’ll want to make over and over.

The dish shows three pieces of cooked salmon with a deep orange color and a slightly charred, spiced surface. On top, there is a chunky salsa made from diced light green avocado and pieces of purple-red onion, adding contrast with its fresh, creamy texture. The food sits on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright look. The salmon's texture is firm with some flakes visible where it has broken apart under the salsa photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this grilled salmon with avocado salsa more times than I can count, and it never disappoints. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a busy weeknight.

Ready in just 10 minutes of prep and cook time: perfect for busy evenings when you want something quick but impressive.
Bright and balanced flavors: smoky salmon meets creamy, tangy avocado salsa for a crowd-pleasing combo.
Healthy and gluten free: packed with protein and good fats to keep you full and satisfied.
Versatile and easy to customize: add a sprinkle of spice or extra herbs to tweak it your way.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The key to this dish’s success really starts with fresh, quality salmon and perfectly ripe avocado. When shopping, look for firm, bright salmon fillets and avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure—ripe but not squishy.

Flat lay of fresh salmon fillets with skin on, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl with a mix of colorful spices including reddish paprika, light brown cumin, pale onion powder, dark black pepper, and reddish ancho chili powder, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse kosher salt, a ripe avocado cut into cubes, slices of vibrant red onion, two whole bright green limes, and a few sprigs of fresh green cilantro placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salmon fillets: I prefer skin-on for grilling because it helps hold the fish together and adds a nice crispy texture.
Olive oil: Used to lightly coat the salmon, helping the spices stick and preventing it from drying out on the grill.
Kosher salt: essential to bring out the natural flavor of the salmon and balance the spices.
Ancho chili powder: gives a mild smoky heat that complements the fish without overpowering it.
Ground cumin: adds warmth and earthiness to the spice mix.
Ground paprika: for a subtle sweetness and color boost.
Onion powder: brings a savory depth to the seasoning blend.
Ground black pepper: for a touch of sharpness and complexity.
Avocado: the star of the salsa, creamy and cooling against the spices on the salmon.
Red onion: adds a refreshing bite and crunch to the salsa.
Lime juice: brightens everything up with fresh acidity and keeps the avocado from browning.
Fresh cilantro: adds a fragrant herbal note that makes the salsa pop.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe is wonderfully versatile, so feel free to tweak the flavors to suit your palate or dietary needs. Whether you like it a bit spicier or want to add seasonal ingredients, the base recipe is easy to customize to your taste.

Variation: For an extra spicy twist, I love adding a diced jalapeño to the avocado salsa – it adds a lovely heat without overpowering the creamy avocado. It really wakes up the flavors!
Make it dairy-free and paleo-friendly: This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, perfect for those following paleo or clean-eating diets. The fresh avocado salsa keeps it light and nutritious.
Seasonal swap: During summer, I sometimes swap the red onion for finely diced fresh peaches or mango in the salsa. The fruity sweetness pairs beautifully with the smoky salmon and lime.
Cooking method switch: If you don’t have access to a grill, a stovetop grill pan works great too. Just watch your cook time closely to keep that tender, juicy texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe

The dish shows two pieces of cooked salmon on a white plate with a white marbled texture surface beneath. Each salmon piece has a warm orange-pink color with a slightly charred, darker seasoning on top, creating a textured look. On top of the salmon are chunky green avocado pieces mixed with small, diced light purple onion, and bits of white onion, forming a fresh, uneven layer. The avocado mixture has a creamy feel, sitting loosely on the salmon. The plate edges curve gently with a soft shadow, making the food stand out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whip Up the Perfect Seasoning Mix

Start by combining 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper in a small bowl. Stir these vibrant spices until well blended. This seasoning mix brings a smoky, mildly spicy depth that beautifully complements the richness of the salmon.

Step 2: Prep and Marinate Your Salmon

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over 2 lbs of salmon fillets, then rub the seasoning mix evenly across the surface. Don’t forget to get some seasoning on every nook and cranny! Place the salmon in the fridge and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes. This rest time allows the flavors to really infuse the fish, making your grilled salmon pop with flavor.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Avocado Salsa

While the salmon marinates, prepare your avocado salsa. In a bowl, gently toss 1 cubed avocado, ½ sliced or diced red onion, the juice of 2 fresh limes, and 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro. Stir carefully to combine without mashing the avocado too much — you want it creamy but with lovely chunks. Chill this salsa until you're ready to serve for the freshest taste.

Step 4: Heat Up the Grill

Preheat your grill to medium heat – around 350 to 375°F is just right. Make sure the grill grates are clean and lightly oiled, which helps keep the salmon from sticking and breaking apart as it cooks.

Step 5: Grill the Salmon to Perfection

Place your seasoned salmon fillets on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes on each side. Keep the grill lid closed to maintain a steady temperature and even cooking. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and has reached an internal temperature of 145°F. That beautiful pink color inside should be just right – tender, juicy, and smoky.

Step 6: Serve It Up with Avocado Salsa

Remove the salmon from the grill and immediately top each fillet generously with the creamy avocado salsa. Serve right away to enjoy that perfect contrast between warm, smoky fish and the bright, fresh salsa. It’s a delightful dinner that’s as quick as it is satisfying.

Top Tip

These simple but essential tips will help you nail the Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe every time, giving you perfectly cooked, flavorful salmon topped with a vibrant salsa.

Preheat and Clean Your Grill: I always make sure my grill is nice and hot, around 350-375°F, and well-oiled to prevent the salmon from sticking and falling apart. It makes flipping so much easier!
Marinate for Flavor: Letting the salmon rest with the spice rub for at least 30 minutes unlocks a depth of flavor you just can’t get from a quick seasoning right before grilling.
Keep the Lid Closed: Keeping the grill lid down during cooking maintains steady heat which cooks the salmon evenly and infuses it with that smoky, charred goodness.
Don’t Overcook: I’ve learned the hard way that checking for that perfect flake and hitting 145°F internal temperature makes all the difference — overcooked salmon gets dry fast!

How to Serve Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe

A clear glass bowl holds a fresh mix of chunky avocado pieces and small cubes of purple-red onion. The avocado is bright green with a smooth texture, while the red onion adds purple and white contrast, scattered evenly throughout. Small bits of green herbs are lightly mixed in, giving a fresh and colorful look. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and the image shows a close, clear view of the vibrant ingredients. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a little extra zing and color, sprinkle some additional fresh cilantro leaves on top and add a few lime wedges on the side. If you’re a fan of heat, a few thin slices of jalapeño can bring a nice kick and pair beautifully with the creamy avocado salsa.

Side Dishes

This dish shines wonderfully alongside light and fresh sides like a crisp green salad, grilled asparagus, or a quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes. For something heartier, roasted sweet potatoes or cilantro-lime rice make fantastic companions that soak up the salsa’s creamy flavors nicely.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover salmon and avocado salsa separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The salmon will stay good for up to 3 days, while the avocado salsa is best enjoyed within 1 day to prevent browning — a squeeze of lime juice helps keep it fresh a bit longer.

Freezing

You can freeze the seasoned, uncooked salmon fillets for up to 1 month by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing in a freezer-safe bag. Avoid freezing the avocado salsa as the texture won't hold up well after thawing.

Reheating

To gently reheat cooked salmon, wrap it in foil and warm it in a 275°F oven for about 10-15 minutes, checking to make sure it doesn’t dry out. Avoid microwaving if you can, as it can make the salmon rubbery. Serve the avocado salsa fresh—no reheating needed!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to fully thaw the salmon in the refrigerator before seasoning and grilling to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

What if I don’t have a grill?

No worries! You can cook the salmon on a stovetop grill pan or bake it in the oven at 400°F for 10-12 minutes. Both methods work great and still pair wonderfully with the creamy avocado salsa.

How spicy is the seasoning?

The ancho chili powder provides a mild smoky heat that’s not overpowering. If you want it spicier, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning or some diced jalapeño to the salsa.

Can I prepare the avocado salsa in advance?

You sure can! Just prepare it shortly before serving and store it in an airtight container with a little lime juice to help prevent browning. Try to enjoy it within one day for the freshest taste and best texture.

Final Thoughts

Grilled Salmon with Creamy Avocado Salsa Recipe is such a joyous meal to make and share. It’s quick, healthy, and packed with vibrant flavors that feel both comforting and fresh. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe never fails to impress. I hope it becomes as much of a favorite in your kitchen as it is in mine!