Chimichurri Grilled Salmon

One of the easiest and MOST DELICIOUS dinners you’ll make, fresh grilled salmon topped with a flavorful chimichurri sauce. It’s healthy, gluten free and made in just 20 minutes!

Pair this chimichurri salmon with roasted garlic broccolini and cilantro lime cauliflower rice to create a gluten free & low carb meal.

Today’s post is sponsored by Vons and Santa Monica Seafood.

A couple of weeks ago, I joined my friends at Vons to visit Santa Monica Seafood in Costa Mesa, California. We sampled local wild caught Troll King Salmon from Morro Bay, California.

While wild king salmon isn’t available year-round, when you can get it, you should! It has a delicious flavor and is given a “best choice” sustainability rating.  It’s also loaded with Omega 3’s, those wonderful healthy fats that your body needs. Good for you and good for the environment, this salmon is a win-win!

I brought some of this scrumptious King Salmon home with me, lightly seasoned it and tossed it on the grill. I love to grill salmon on foil for easy clean-up and no worries about the fish sticking to the grill. As soon as I removed the salmon from the grill, I spooned my favorite 5 minute Chimichurri Sauce right on top.

This grilled salmon recipe is quick and easy to prepare with minimal ingredients. I prepared it this way to let the flavor of the fish shine through! This is a great recipe for busy weeknights when you’re looking for a fast and fresh meal to make in under 30 minutes.

How to Grill Salmon

• Heat a gas grill or charcoal grill over medium-high heat (approximately 400°F).
• Place a piece of non-stick foil on the grill grate.
  • Quick Tip! A cedar plank can also be used instead of foil for a different flavor. Always be sure to soak the cedar plank for at least an hour before grilling.
• Lightly season the salmon with sea salt and black pepper. For this recipe, I also added a little crushed red pepper to compliment the chimichurri sauce.
  • Quick Tip! The salmon can be grilled as one large 1 pound piece or ask your butcher to slice it into salmon fillets.
• Place the salmon skin side down on the foil, on the hot grill. Grill for 10 minutes per inch of thickness of the salmon.
  • Quick Tip! Measure the thickest part of the salmon and gauge your cook time by that thickness.
• Remove the salmon from the grill and top each filet with two tablespoons of chimichurri sauce.

How to know when Grilled Salmon is done

Salmon will become lighter in color and more opaque once it’s cooked. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the salmon. Salmon should be cooked to a temperature of 110°F for rare, 125°F for medium or 145°F for well done.

Always remember that even after removing the fish from the grill, the temperature will continue to rise. On average, the salmon will rise an additional 10 degrees after it’s removed from the heat source. Take this into consideration when deciding at what temperature to remove the salmon from the grill.

Is grilled salmon healthy?

Grilled salmon is a wonderfully healthy choice. The Omega 3 fatty acids from the salmon are an essential part of a healthy diet. They help keep your brain and heart healthy.

Salmon is also a great source of protein and low in calories. One serving of this recipe is 513 calories and provides 45 grams of protein! It’s also low in carbs. One serving of this recipe is just 2 carbs, which makes it perfect for those of the keto diet.

Grilling salmon is also a healthier option than cooking the fish in oil or a creamy sauce.

Can I bake this salmon recipe?

Yes! If you don’t have access to a grill, this salmon can be baked in the oven instead of grilled. Place the salmon on a piece of foil on a baking sheet. Season it, just as you would if you were grilling it.

Place it in a 400°F oven and cook the salmon for 12-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the chimichurri sauce.

What type of salmon should I use for grilling?

King salmon is an excellent choice for grilling, but as I mentioned before, it’s not available year-round. If fresh king salmon is not available, Scottish Salmon is a good substitute for grilling.

What should I serve with salmon?

Grilled veggies, salads and roasted veggies are all great sides to serve with grilled fish. Try any or all of these 5 delicious side dishes to pair with grilled salmon.

1. Grilled Romaine Chopped Salad
2. Roasted Cauliflower Salad
3. Garlic Lemon Grilled Asparagus
4. Grilled Tomato & Kale Salad
5. Grilled Vegetable Skewers

A wide variety of Santa Monica Seafood can be found at your local Vons stores in Southern California. Ask the butcher at your local store about the fresh seafood they have in season.

Each butcher is trained on where the seafood came from and the best ways to prepare it. Use them as a resource to become more comfortable purchasing and cooking with seafood at home!

And for more great salmon recipes, be sure to check out these 5 favorites!

1. Bruschetta Salmon – in this recipe the salmon can be baked or grilled. It’s then topped with my famous Tomato Basil Bruschetta! So light, fresh and flavorful!
2. Pesto Baked Salmon – this salmon recipe is roasted with zucchini noodles, cherry tomatoes and pesto. A complete meal made on one pan in under 30 minutes? Sign me up!
3. Chipotle Glazed Salmon Tacos – the chipotle honey glaze on this salmon is EVERYTHING! It’s so delicious you can eat it on it’s own or toss it in a tortilla for tacos!
4. Lemon Herb Salmon – this light and healthy salmon recipe is perfect for those that love the flavor and zest of lemon!
5. Balsamic Salmon Zoodle Bowls– the balsamic glaze on this salmon is incredibly delicious. Paired with a Berry Avocado Salsa, this is one of my all-time favorite salmon recipes!

Which salmon recipe will you try first? Made this Chimichurri Grilled Salmon recipe and loved it? Be sure to rate it 5 stars below! ↓

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