Artificial Food Coloring Free Paleo Lemon-Dill Salmon with Avocado Salsa
Bright, fresh, and completely free of synthetic dyes, this skillet salmon is the kind of weeknight dinner that looks like it came from a restaurant. Every ingredient here is exactly what it says it is — real fish, real citrus, real herbs — so there's no need to squint at a label wondering what "color added" actually means. The lemon-and-garlic rub builds a beautifully seasoned crust on the flesh side, while the skin crisps up golden in the pan for that satisfying contrast in texture. The avocado salsa is where things really come alive: creamy diced avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, a hit of lime, and fresh cilantro all tossed together in one bowl with zero artificial anything. A finishing shower of fresh dill ties the whole plate together with an herby brightness that bottled seasonings simply can't replicate. It's a naturally vibrant, colorful plate that gets all its hues from whole foods — no food dye required.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
For the avocado salsa
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted and diced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (optional)
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
For serving
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a mixing bowl, combine the diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño (if using), lime juice, cilantro, and 1/4 tsp salt. Toss gently until just combined, keeping the avocado pieces intact. Set aside.
- 2
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, stir together the lemon zest, garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and black pepper, then press the mixture evenly onto the flesh side of each fillet. Drizzle the lemon juice over the flesh side.
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