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    Home » Dinner » Main Dishes

    Grilled Side of Salmon with Pineapple

    Published: May 7, 2017 · Modified: Sep 3, 2021 · 10 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    This grilled side of salmon is cooked with an easy spice rub and topped with grilled pineapple. It's the perfect way to make fish the main meal at your spring and summer cookouts!
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    This grilled side of salmon is cooked with an easy spice rub and topped with grilled pineapple.  It’s the perfect way to make fish the main meal at your spring and summer cookouts!

    A Side of Grilled Chili Lime Salmon Topped with Pineapple

    Can I confess something?

    As much as I adore the idea of a cookout, I usually find myself eating semi-sad sandwiches made up of hamburger buns and hamburger toppings (without the meat).

    Does this happen to you too?  

    If you, like me, choose to avoid red meat, you may feel a little left out when grilling season begins.

    If you’ve found yourself gazing sadly over piles of grilled red meat, wishing for a healthier option– I’ve got one for you!

    This year, as the grills fire up and spring turns into summer, reclaim your grill!!!  It’s time to bring seafood out of the kitchen and onto the fire, with this grilled side of salmon!

    Why Cook a Side of Salmon?

    Because it’s HUGE!

    If you’re used to buying salmon fillets, a side of salmon is just salmon that hasn’t been cut into fillets yet.

    And a side of salmon is SO EASY to grill. SO easy.

    Can I Make This with Salmon Fillets?

    You sure can! 

    This recipe is written for one pound of salmon, so adjust accordingly if you’re using more or less salmon.

    Should I Use Sockeye Salmon or Atlantic Salmon?

    I used Sockeye salmon in this recipe (because I love Sockeye salmon recipes), but sides of Atlantic salmon might be easier to find in grocery stores.

    Not sure what the difference is?

    Sockeye is wild salmon and Atlantic is farmed. Learn about the differences between wild salmon and farmed salmon and about the different types of salmon.

    This Grilled Chili Lime Salmon with Pineapple is perfect way to make fish the main meal at your spring and summer cookouts!

    How to Grill Pineapple Rings

    Cut the pineapple into rings, brush it with the marinade, and grill it until it has nice dark lines on each side.

    If you’re nervous about losing pineapple rings inside the grill– you can use a grilling basket or a non-toxic grilling mat.

    This Grilled Chili Lime Salmon with Pineapple is perfect way to make fish the main meal at your spring and summer cookouts!

    Seasoning a Side of Salmon

    Start by patting the salmon dry.

    Rub the chili powder and lime zest onto your salmon (or swap it for Trader Joe’s Chili Lime seasoning!).

    This Grilled Chili Lime Salmon with Pineapple is perfect way to make fish the main meal at your spring and summer cookouts!

    How to Grill a Side of Salmon

    Next, heat up the grill, making sure that the grill plates are clean (so that your fish doesn’t stick to the plates), and you’re almost ready!

    Set the fish grill.  Let it cook a little over halfway, and then flip.

    Don’t walk away while you’re grilling this fish– it cooks fast!

    This Grilled Chili Ginger Salmon with Strawberry Salsa is sweet, savory, and spicy! Make this grilled salmon the centerpiece at your next cookout!

    Want more tips about how to grill seafood? Check out these posts:  How to Cook Salmon and How to Grill Fish! 

    Serve the grilled salmon and pineapple together, and smile happily as you eat a healthy, delicious meal at your next cookout!

    This Grilled Chili Lime Salmon with Pineapple is perfect way to make fish the main meal at your spring and summer cookouts!

    Want to take the grilled pineapple up a notch? Try serving the salmon with this Grilled Pineapple Salsa Recipe from Striped Spatula

    This Grilled Chili Lime Salmon with Pineapple is perfect way to make fish the main meal at your spring and summer cookouts!
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 7 votes

    Grilled Salmon with Pineapple

    This grilled side of salmon is cooked with an easy spice rub and topped with grilled pineapple.  It's the perfect way to make fish the main meal at your spring and summer cookouts!
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 174kcal
    Freezer Friendly?

    No

    Will It Keep?

    No

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Grilled Pineapple:

    • 1 pineapple, outer skin removed + fruit cored
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons honey or sugar

    Chili Lime Salmon:

    • 1 pound sockeye salmon, skin on
    • olive oil spray
    • 1 lime, zested and juiced
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    Grilled Pineapple:

    • Preheat grill to high heat.
    • Cut cored pineapple into rings, about ½″ thick.  Line a baking sheet with foil, and then lay pineapple slices flat on a the sheet.  Brush pineapple with oil on both sides, and then drizzle with honey.  Let pineapple marinate while the grill continues to heat up.
    • Tip: A grilling mat is useful to help you grill pineapple without risk of it falling through the grill.
      Once grill is hot, grill pineapple 2-3 minutes per side, until the honey begins to caramelize.  Set pineapple aside.

    Grilled Chili Lime Salmon:

    • Prepare grill plates by cleaning if needed, and spraying with oil.  Allow the pineapple juices to burn off as and make sure the grill is still very hot.
    • Pat salmon dry, and then pat it dry again.  Wet fish may stick to the grill.  Rub chili powder and lime zest onto the flesh side of the salmon.  Sprinkle both sides of the salmon with salt.
    • Set salmon, skin-side down, on the grill. 
      Tip: Cooking skin-side down will make your fish easier to flip.
    • Grill 9 minutes total per 1″ thickness, flipping halfway through.
      Tip: If fish sticks to the grill when it’s time to flip, leave it for another 30 seconds, and then flip.
    • Sprinkle salmon with the lime juice.  Serve salmon immediately with the grilled pineapple. 
      Serving tip: Serve the fish whole for a gorgeous presentation, or divide into 4 servings and then serve.

    Notes

    Recipe variations:
    • Strawberry Salsa instead of Pineapple: Dice strawberries + a small handful of fresh mint.  Drizzle with honey. 
    • Sear Pineapple + Salmon on the Stovetop:  Use a very hot, oiled cast iron pan.  Cook times will remain the same.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 174kcal (9%) | Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) | Protein: 12g (24%) | Fat: 6g (9%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Cholesterol: 31mg (10%) | Sodium: 116mg (5%) | Potassium: 429mg (12%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 16g (18%) | Vitamin A: 385IU (8%) | Vitamin C: 57mg (69%) | Calcium: 28mg (3%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings

      May 08, 2017 at 9:33 am

      5 stars
      I love the chili flavor with salmon and I’ve made it with mango but not pineapple. It looks like a perfect weeknight summer meal that I can feel good about eating…and feeding my family!

      Reply
    2. Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy

      May 08, 2017 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      I love how pineapple is almost always the saving grace for those who miss out on grilled meat! And I absolutely loved learning up on Salmon trivia today! I had no idea of the effect krill had on the coloration!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        May 08, 2017 at 10:49 am

        Pineapples are an amazing fruit! And yes isn’t that crazy!!!

        Reply
    3. Meg | Meg is Well

      May 11, 2017 at 11:50 pm

      5 stars
      The pineapple peeking out from between those two layers of salmon and all that juice….oh my gah. Way to go! At home, we grill a lot more fish than other meat but you’re totally right about going to BBQ’s or other summer gatherings-it’s all hamburgers and hotdogs.

      Reply
    4. Leah

      May 13, 2017 at 12:56 am

      I have been just loving all your salmon pictures on instagram lately, and this recipe looks like the perfect way to use it! Grilled fish is so good already, but I love the touch of sweetness that the pineapple brings to this! I can’t wait to try this out!

      Reply
    5. Michele

      May 14, 2017 at 9:29 pm

      5 stars
      My sister-in law and her family live in Alaska, and there is NOTHING better than wild caught salmon they serve when we visit. They explained all the info about the farm fish and why we want to eat wild versus farmed. Im in LosANgeles and I Find it hard to find wild raised….. but so happy when I do find it!!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        May 14, 2017 at 9:30 pm

        Try looking for frozen wild salmon! I’m in Central Appalachia with zero hopes of finding it fresh- this frozen salmon was incredible!!

        Reply
    6. Amanda

      May 15, 2017 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      We absolutely love grilling salmon! It’s such a great alternative to grilled meat, and is so satisfying. I love the flavors you’ve paired with it, especially that sweet grilled/caramelized pineapple! It must be such a great contrast to the chili lime flavors in the fish. What a great recipe for summer entertaining!

      Reply
    7. Nicola

      August 24, 2017 at 3:10 am

      5 stars
      This salmon looks amazing! I’ve never cooked salmon outside on the grill before. Better get out there before summer’s over!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        August 28, 2017 at 8:26 am

        Yes!!! You can grill all fall too 😉

        Reply

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