A vibrant and refreshing Salmon with Mango Salsa is the perfect light yet satisfying meal, offering a delightful balance of tropical sweetness and savory fish that’s surprisingly easy to whip up for any occasion. This recipe is your ticket to a restaurant-quality dinner at home, proving healthy eating can be incredibly flavorful and simple.
Key Ingredients for Salmon with Mango Salsa
- 1 ½ pounds salmon fillets, skin on or off (about 4-6 fillets)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Mango Salsa:
- 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and diced small
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced (adjust to your spice preference)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Salmon with Mango Salsa
This Salmon with Mango Salsa recipe simplifies gourmet dining, transforming fresh salmon into a flaky, flavorful masterpiece crowned with a bright, zesty salsa. It’s an incredibly quick dish, perfect for busy weeknights, boasting a preparation time of only 20 minutes, with 15 minutes dedicated to cooking, and 5 minutes to assemble the vibrant salsa. The combination of perfectly seared salmon and the sweet, tangy salsa creates a truly satisfying meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Mango Salsa: In a medium bowl, combine the diced mangoes, finely diced red onion, finely diced jalapeño pepper, and chopped fresh cilantro.
- Add Lime Juice and Season: Squeeze the juice of one lime over the mango mixture. Add a pinch of salt and gently toss everything together to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more lime juice or jalapeño for extra zing. Set the salsa aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the salmon.
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving a good sear. Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon fillets and rub it in to coat. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat a large oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, carefully place the salmon fillets into the pan, skin-side down if using skin-on fillets.
- Cook the First Side: Sear the salmon for about 3-4 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the flesh has turned opaque about halfway up the side of the fillet. Avoid moving the salmon too much during this stage to allow for a good crust to form.
- Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the salmon fillets using a spatula. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C).
- Bake the Salmon: Bake for another 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets and your desired level of doneness. The salmon should flake easily with a fork when it’s ready.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Carefully plate the hot salmon fillets. Spoon a generous portion of the prepared mango salsa over each salmon fillet. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of flavors.
Why You’ll Love This Salmon with Mango Salsa
Get ready to fall head over heels for this Salmon with Mango Salsa, a dish that promises a burst of sunshine on your plate! The star of the show is undoubtedly the perfectly flaky, seared salmon, which creates a wonderfully tender base for the vibrant, sweet, and slightly spicy mango salsa. This healthy and elegant meal is remarkably budget-friendly to make at home, costing significantly less than dining out while delivering an equally impressive taste experience. The addition of fresh cilantro and lime juice in the salsa elevates the entire dish, offering a tropical twist that’s a delightful departure from ordinary salmon preparations.
Unlike a simple baked salmon, this recipe brings an exciting textural and flavor contrast with its salsa topping, making every bite a culinary adventure. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can create this restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen, impressing family and friends without breaking the bank. So, dive in and give this sensational Salmon with Mango Salsa a try – your taste buds will thank you for it!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your delicious Salmon with Mango Salsa will ensure you can enjoy its delightful flavors even after the initial meal.
Storage:
- Cool Down: Allow any leftover salmon and salsa to cool to room temperature before storing, typically within 2 hours of cooking.
- Separate: For best results, store the cooked salmon and the mango salsa in separate airtight containers. This prevents the salsa from making the salmon mushy.
- Refrigerate: Place both containers in the refrigerator. The cooked salmon will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days, while the mango salsa can be kept for 1-2 days, as the fresh ingredients may begin to soften over time.
Reheating:
- Salmon: The best way to reheat salmon is gently to avoid drying it out. You can:
- Oven Reheating: Place the salmon on a baking sheet and warm it in a preheated oven at a low temperature (around 275°F / 135°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Skillet Reheating: Gently warm the salmon in a non-stick skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth for a few minutes.
- Microwave (Use with Caution): If using a microwave, heat in short intervals (30 seconds) on a low power setting, as overheating can make the salmon tough.
- Salsa: It is generally recommended to serve the mango salsa fresh. If you have leftovers and wish to use them, you can add them to the warmed salmon, but be aware that the texture of the mango and onion may have softened.
- Salmon: The best way to reheat salmon is gently to avoid drying it out. You can:
Freezing: While not ideal for the best texture, you can freeze the cooked salmon without the salsa. Wrap the cooled salmon tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. The mango salsa is best enjoyed fresh and does not freeze well.
Final Thoughts
This Salmon with Mango Salsa recipe is a bright, flavorful, and healthy delight that proves elegant meals can be incredibly simple. Give it a try tonight for a refreshing change that will surely impress!
Salmon with Mango Salsa
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, combine the diced mangoes, finely diced red onion, finely diced jalapeño pepper, and chopped fresh cilantro.2 ripe mangoes, 0.5 cup red onion, 1 jalapeño pepper, 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
- Squeeze the juice of one lime over the mango mixture. Add a pinch of salt and gently toss everything together to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more lime juice or jalapeño for extra zing. Set the salsa aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the salmon.1 lime, 1 pinch salt
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving a good sear. Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon fillets and rub it in to coat. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides.1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, carefully place the salmon fillets into the pan, skin-side down if using skin-on fillets.1.5 pounds salmon fillets
- Sear the salmon for about 3-4 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the flesh has turned opaque about halfway up the side of the fillet. Avoid moving the salmon too much during this stage to allow for a good crust to form.1.5 pounds salmon fillets
- Carefully flip the salmon fillets using a spatula. Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C).1.5 pounds salmon fillets
- Bake for another 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets and your desired level of doneness. The salmon should flake easily with a fork when it’s ready.1.5 pounds salmon fillets
- Remove the skillet from the oven. Carefully plate the hot salmon fillets. Spoon a generous portion of the prepared mango salsa over each salmon fillet. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of flavors.1.5 pounds salmon fillets