Grilled Salmon With Peach Salsa

A peach-avocado salsa is a delicious complement to this grilled salmon. A grill pan ensures the salmon stays crispy throughout the cooking process without sticking to the grill. Winner!

By
Sabrina Modelle
Sabrina Modelle
Sabrina has been a professional recipe developer for ten years and has been published in magazines and newspapers from California to Tel Aviv.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated May 04, 2023
Sabrina Modelle

This spicy and slightly sweet grilled salmon is bound to become a favorite this summer. Smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powders in the rub create a savory, smoky flavor, while a touch of sugar adds a hint of sweetness and helps the skin become unbelievably crispy.

As if that weren’t enough, the salmon is topped off with a peach and avocado salsa, which compliments the richness of the salmon. The peaches and avocado also contribute a velvety quality to the whole dish.

Sabrina Modelle

Use a Grill Pan for Crispy Skin That Won't Stick

Grilled salmon is one of my favorite foods ever, but for years I shied away from making it because the fish would stick to the grill and fall apart. For me, the best solution to this problem has been using a good nonstick grill pan, which sits right on top of the grates.

Grill pans are perforated on the bottom, so you still get the classic flavor of cooking over open flame, but you also avoid the tragedy of fish getting stuck to the grill.

If you can't find a nonstick grill pan, use a stainless steel one and rub it liberally with oil before laying on the salmon.

Preheat the Grill for Best Results

Next to a grill pan, preheating the grill is the most important part of this recipe. Getting your grill really hot means you get golden caramelization on the fish and crispy salmon skin (my favorite).

Don’t skip this step. It is worth every second of the 15 minutes. Turn the heat to high and close the lid!

I like to season and refrigerate my salmon, then get the grill going, and then make my salsa at a leisurely pace while the grill heats up. You may even have time for a cocktail or glass of wine while you wait.

How to cook salmon on the grill toss the salsa
Sabrina Modelle

Fruit Salsa for a Sweet-Savory Balance

Fruit salsa is a very popular pairing with fish, and one that I come back to over and over. Salmon’s bold richness pairs well with the sweetness, heat, and acidity of this peach salsa.

When choosing your peaches, look for a ripe but still firm peach to contrast the texture from the creamy avocado. The peach’s slight tartness balances the rich fish and avocado.

Sabrina Modelle

Plan Ahead for an Easy Dinner

You can make the dry rub in advance; you may even consider making a large batch so you have it on hand for other meals. It will keep indefinitely at room temperature when stored in an airtight container. This particular mix of spices tastes great on everything from summer squash to steak.

You can make the salsa up to eight hours in advance. Just wait to add the avocado until you’re ready to serve—adding it at the last minute keeps it from turning brown or getting mushy. You may also consider making a larger batch of the salsa, as it goes great with chips.

More Great Salmon Recipes!

Grilled Salmon With Peach Salsa

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 4 servings

Paleo friends! Swap in maple sugar for the light brown sugar in this recipe for a paleo-friendly summer dinner.

Ingredients

For the salmon:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated onion

  • 1 teaspoon light brown sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Pinch cayenne

  • 1 pound skin-on salmon filets (about 4 pieces)

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons neutral cooking oil, such as grapeseed, avocado, or canola oil

For the salsa:

  • 2 heaping cups diced peaches, unpeeled (about 3 medium peaches)

  • 1 medium ripe avocado, diced

  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion

  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

  • 2 tablespoons finely minced jalapeno, optional

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

To serve:

  • Jalapeño slices, for garnish

  • Chopped cilantro, for garnish

Method

  1. Season the salmon:

    Whisk together paprika, garlic, onion, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne.

    Sprinkle spice mixture evenly on all sides of the salmon. Refrigerate uncovered while making the salsa and preheating the grill, about 20 minutes.

  2. Make the salsa:

    In a medium bowl, mix together the peaches, avocado, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lemon juice, and salt. Season to taste, adding more salt or jalapeño if you like. If your peaches are a bit tart, you can add a pinch of sugar.

    How to cook salmon on the grill toss the salsa
    Sabrina Modelle
  3. Prep the grill:

    Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to 500°F for at least 15 minutes, or until you can hold your hand above the grates for 2 to 3 seconds.

  4. Grill the salmon:

    Brush all sides of the salmon with oil—about a tablespoon total. Brush a bit of oil onto the grill grates as well, ensuring that any fish touching the grates through the grill pan will easily lift away.

    Place the salmon skin side up on the grill pan and transfer the pan to the grill. Close the lid and cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes. Using a fish spatula or tongs, gently lift one corner of the fish. The grilled side should be opaque and show some sear marks. If not, check every minute or so until it is.

    Salmon with peaches recipe grill the salmon skin side up
    Sabrina Modelle

    Gently, flip the fish to skin side down, close the lid, and grill for another 3 to 4 minutes. Open the lid and watch carefully until the fish is done, another 1 to 3 minutes. The salmon is perfectly cooked when the top and bottom are opaque and there is a nice translucent streak through the middle. (If you prefer your salmon more well-done, continue cooking to your preferred doneness.)

    How to grill salmon turn the salmon skin side down
    Sabrina Modelle
  5. Serve:

    Remove from the grill and serve immediately. Top with peach salsa and cilantro and chilies for garnish.

    Salmon with peaches recipe serve the salmon with salsa
    Sabrina Modelle
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
510 Calories
36g Fat
21g Carbs
29g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 510
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 46%
Saturated Fat 5g 27%
Cholesterol 71mg 24%
Sodium 477mg 21%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 9g 32%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 29g
Vitamin C 26mg 132%
Calcium 50mg 4%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 1171mg 25%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.