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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!
If you landed here looking for a STRAWBERRY SALSA salmon recipe, you aren’t lost! Check the recipe card notes to swap the grilled pineapple for strawberry salsa.
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.
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.
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!).
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!
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!
Want to take the grilled pineapple up a notch? Try serving the salmon with this Grilled Pineapple Salsa Recipe from Striped Spatula
Grilled Salmon with Pineapple
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Ingredients
Grilled Pineapple:
- 1 pineapple, outer skin removed + fruit cored
- 1 TB olive oil
- 2 TB honey OR sorghum syrup OR turbinado sugar (raw sugar)
Chili Lime Salmon:
- 1 lb sockeye salmon fillet, skin on
- olive oil spray
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- 1 TB chili powder
- ¼ tsp 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
- 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.
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!
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!
Pineapples are an amazing fruit! And yes isn’t that crazy!!!
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.
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!
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!!
Try looking for frozen wild salmon! I’m in Central Appalachia with zero hopes of finding it fresh- this frozen salmon was incredible!!
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!
This salmon looks amazing! I’ve never cooked salmon outside on the grill before. Better get out there before summer’s over!
Yes!!! You can grill all fall too 😉