Pork Free Paleo Garlic-Herb Salmon with Avocado Salsa
Garlicky, herb-crusted salmon seared to a perfect flake and piled high with a bright, chunky avocado salsa — this is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more impressive than the effort it takes. The herb rub comes together in a single bowl, blending fresh rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika, and minced garlic into a fragrant crust that caramelizes beautifully in a hot skillet. Cooking the fillets skin-side up first locks in moisture and gives you that gorgeous golden sear before a quick flip finishes the job. Meanwhile, the avocado salsa — diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and a hit of fresh lime juice — is cool, creamy, and just acidic enough to cut through the richness of the fish. Every single ingredient here is whole-food and naturally free from pork or pork-derived products, so there's no label-scanning required. The optional jalapeño adds a gentle kick if you're into heat, and a squeeze of lime at the table ties everything together. It's clean, colorful, and genuinely satisfying enough to put on regular rotation.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the avocado salsa
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (optional)
For serving
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, stir together the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels, then press the herb mixture evenly over the flesh side of each fillet.
- 2
In a medium bowl, combine the diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, 1 tbsp avocado oil, and salt. Fold gently until just combined, then stir in the jalapeño, if using. Set aside.
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