Shellfish Free Paleo Lemon-Dill Salmon with Avocado Salsa
Bright, fresh, and loaded with good fats, this pan-seared salmon dish is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more impressive than the effort it requires. The flesh side gets a simple rub of lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, and pepper before hitting a hot skillet, building a beautifully seasoned crust while the skin crisps up underneath. A quick press with a spatula in those first 30 seconds keeps everything flat and in full contact with the pan — a small move that makes a big difference in texture. While the salmon rests, the chunky avocado salsa of cherry tomatoes, red onion, lime juice, and cilantro brings a cool, tangy contrast that ties the whole plate together. Since the recipe sticks entirely to whole, unprocessed ingredients — fresh fish, produce, and avocado oil — there's no need to scan labels for hidden additives or worry about cross-contact from processed sauces. The finishing shower of fresh dill over the hot fillets is the kind of detail that makes this dish smell as good as it looks. Serve it straight from the pan with a squeeze of lemon and dinner is done.
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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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