Cilantro Lime Salmon with Mango Salsa.
Cilantro Lime Salmon with Mango Salsa. One word, delicious. This one-skillet salmon is for those nights when you’re craving something super flavorful, but need to keep things quick and easy too. It’s all made in one skillet with garden bell peppers, chili seasoned salmon, and a cilantro garlic lime butter pan sauce. Serve each piece of salmon over steamed rice and top with mango salsa…then drizzle over a little of that garlicky cilantro lime butter. Not only is this salmon easy and delicious, it’s also a great way to use up late summer produce. Best part? It comes together in just about 30 minutes.
First, if you hate cilantro and think it tastes like soap…while I don’t understand that, and probably never will…please don’t click away. You can use basil in place of the cilantro. OK? Great, moving on.
I listened to a podcast the other day that was talking about how you have to learn to let creative procrastination happen. I was a little confused at first, but then it all made sense and resonated with me so much. Often times we want to get everything right the first time around, but the truth is, that’s almost always impossible. At least for me anyway.
I can often be my most creative self when I continue to chip away at ideas, slowly letting the idea develop over time. Apparently, I’m what’s known as (or maybe not known as) a “creative procrastinator”. Here’s what I tend to do with recipes. I’ll test them out once, sort of love it, but maybe not feel 100% happy with it. I might try again the next day. But if I still don’t love it, I normally take a break for a day or longer. Sometimes I forget about the idea altogether, but then sometimes I will keep pushing it forward. Making the dish multiple times, doing something different each time, until I land on something I really love and feel so excited to share.
That’s called procrastination, but I think it’s the good kind, and I am happy I allow myself the time to “procrastinate”. It’s how I created this recipe and so many other favorite recipes too!
I just never knew it…
Which brings me to this easy as can be, one skillet salmon, that truly has so much going on.
And is SO delicious!
Originally this recipe started out as just cilantro lime salmon. As in salmon + cilantro + lime and a little sauce. It was good, but I mean, I was kind of bored. I needed to give you guys a full dinner. There needed to be vegetables, there needed to be color. The dish just needed more.
So I tried again, but something still wasn’t right, so I gave up…for a few days anyway. And then somehow on the third attempt, I created this recipe. It’s complete with vegetables, salmon, sauce, and salsa. And here is how you make it…
Season the salmon with a mix of chili powder and smoked paprika. Then rub with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. That’s that.
Now, grab your skillet and get it real hot. Cook up some bell peppers and onions until charred, kind of in a fajita style. Next add the salmon and sear until crisp on the bottom and the flesh is almost blackened. Things should be smelling very good at this point.
Remove the salmon from the skillet, add butter and honey…yes, butter and honey, just trust me here. Then add garlic (plenty of garlic), lime juice and cilantro. If you hate cilantro, you can use basil, promise it will be just as delicious. Simmer the butter sauce for a minute or so and then slide the salmon back into the sauce. And that’s it…dinner is done.
Well almost…
Make the mango salsa, and then dinner is done.
And yes, the salsa might seem like an unimportant extra step, but I do think you need it. It’s just too good to not include and adds a really fresh finish to each plate of salmon.
In just about 30 minutes you’ll have cilantro lime salmon, with fajita-style bell peppers, mango salsa, and a really delicious, perfectly buttery, garlic, cilantro, lime, pan sauce.
Not sure there’s a better skillet dinner on HBH at the moment. This one is not only GOOD, it’s PRETTY, and it is SO FLAVORFUL. Enough said. Hope you all make this dish and love it as much as I do!
Oh, and don’t forget to let yourself procrastinate a little today, you never know what you might think up!
If you make these cilantro lime salmon with mango salsa, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Cilantro Lime Salmon with Mango Salsa.
Made all in one skillet with garden bell peppers, chili seasoned salmon, and a cilantro garlic lime butter pan sauce. Serve over steamed rice and top with mango salsa!
Ingredients
- 4 (5-6 ounce) salmon filets, skin on or off
- 2 teaspoons chili powder, chipotle or regular
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 red or orange bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- zest and juice of 2 limes, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
- steamed rice or quinoa, for serving
Mango Salsa
- 1 mango, diced
- 1 jalapeńo, seeded and chopped
- juice and zest from 1 lime
Instructions
-
1. Place the salmon on a plate. Add the chili powder, paprika, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, rubbing the seasonings and oil evenly into flesh.
2. Heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the peppers, onion, and season with salt end pepper. Cook until charred on the edges, 3-5 minutes. Remove from the skillet.
3. To the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the salmon skin-side down, and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the salmon is crisp. Gently flip, and continue cooking the salmon for another 2-3 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. Remove from the skillet. If desired, peel away the skin and discard.
4. To the same skillet, add the butter and garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the lime juice, zest, honey, cilantro, and basil. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat and slide the salmon back into the sauce.
5. To make the salsa. In a small bowl, combine the mango, jalapeño, lime zest, and lime juice.
6. To serve plate each piece of salmon over the rice or quinoa. Top with peppers and salsa, then spoon the sauce over top. Serve with additional herbs and lime.
Our Favorite Recipes
Caramelized Corn and Tomato Tarte Tatin.
The recipe reads delicious, but what I’m sure are gorgeous photos…are not loading. Tried three different browsers. Having twitchy withdrawals from a lack of Tieghan’s amazing photography…
(Probably a server error of sorts…hope it resolves soon.) 🙂
Hi Aline! Can you get them now? Please let me know! xTieghan
No pictures here either.
Hi Charlotte! Sorry about that! They should show up now.. Let me know! xTieghan
Your recipe sounds great but where are your pretty pictures? I don’t see them.
Hi Bobbi Jo! They should be up now! Let me know if you still have a problem! I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
No pictures here either, but reading the post this sounds delicious. Might do everything on the grill except the sauce tonight for dinner, thanks for the idea!
Thank you so much! I hope you love this! xTieghan
I made this for yesterday’s dinner! It was unbelievably
delicious and everyone loved it. Amazing recipe!
Thank you so much Natalie! xTieghan
How long does it take for salmon to cook?
Hi Wendy! 2-3 minutes per side, about 6 minutes total. All listed in the directions. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
YEH!! Pictures are showing on this one.
Woohoo!!
This recipe looks delicious!! As to why some people strongly dislike cilantro, research indicates that it is in a person’s genes. Some people have a specific gene that will give them that soapy taste when they eat cilantro. I have friends and family who have described that taste to me. Being a nurse I had to throughly research the reason for that since I love cilantro and use a lot of it in my recipes. Can’t wait to try this one!
So crazy! I hope you love this recipe Lynne! xTieghan
Ah yes, I see them now! Looks fantastic – thanks you! 🙂
Thank you Aline! xTieghan
Amazing flavor! Will definitely make this one again.
So happy to hear that Christiane! Thank you so much! xTieghan
This was DELICIOUS. An immediate repeater in our house!
Thank you so much Nicky! xTieghan
This was so good!!!
Thank you Katie! xTieghan
The salmon was fantastic. I didn’t get to snap any pics, but I’m sure I’ll be making this again. Thanks for a yummy dinner.
Thank you Elane! xTieghan
OMGGGG!!! This was SO GOOD and SO EASY. This one will definitely be one I’ll make again and again. Thanks for yet another amazingly delicious recipe!
Love to hear that! Thank you so much Lindsey! xTieghan
A+! Made this Monday for special pre-first day of school dinner. I subbed wild shrimp for salmon because my family loves shrimp! Everyone loved this dinner. I was asked to ‘add it to the rotation’. You’re head of the class in our house!
Thank you so much Sheryl!! So happy to read all of these comments! xTieghan
Another winner! So much flavor and so easy to make!
Thank you Ines! xTieghan
SO. FREAKING. GOOD. Thank you for this recipe! Will definitely make again (and again).
Thank you so much Ashley! xTieghan
This recipe is absolutely AMAZING. My first half baked harvest attempt and I am addicted. We subbed out rice/quinoa and sautéed peppers&onions for a bed of spring greens with sliced almonds, scallions, and avocado. Halved the recipe for 2 salmon servings but made sauce for 4 so we would have enough to dress our salads. You’re my hero, Tieghan. Wowowowowow. Can’t wait to try another recipe from you. Thank you!
I am so glad you tried this recipe out Morgan!! Thank you so much! xTieghan
OMG. I made this last week and it was out of this world delicious. Me and my husband both love salmon so I make a salmon dish probably once a week and let me tell you this one moved instantly to the top of the list as one of our faves! I will most definitely be making it again. Not only is it incredibly tasty but its was also simply and quick to make! Thank you so much for another incredible recipe <3
I am so happy to hear that you and your husband both loved this recipe, Lindsey! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Hello, I am planing to make this dish tommorw for our friends who are coming out of country… and was wondering what appetizer and salad will go good with this recepie? Thank you in advance 😉 I tried bunch of your recepies, and there were always on point!!!!
Best,
Nata_zas
HI there! I recommend the below brie recipe and salad. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghanha
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/pastry-wrapped-baked-brie-with-thyme-butter-roasted-plums/
https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-cauliflower-salad/
Amazing recipe! My kids gobbled it up so fast! Thanks 🙂
That is so amazing! Thank you for trying this Patrice! xTieghan
I have made this 3 times now. I CANNOT STRESS enough how FREAKING DELICIOUS this is…it is legit one of my top 5 things to eat OF ALL TIME. Bless you for this amazing recipe! I share it with EVERYONE!!!!!!!! Make this!!!!!! Y’all will NOT regret it.
Thank you so much Amiee! I am so glad this one turned out so well for you!! xTieghan
This recipe is so simple yet so flavourful. It might just be my favourite HBH recipe so far!
Thank you!! That is so awesome to hear! xTieghan
This recipe is so simple yet so flavourful. It might just be my favourite HBH recipe so far!
Teighan I use your recipes quite a lot and have given both my daughter and daughter-in-law the HBH cookbook. Made this tonight for my husband and myself, and think it could be my favourite so far! The variety of flavours made you just want to keep taking another bite, and I loved the smokiness of the paprika and chilli contrasting with the smooth flavour of the salmon and the sweet fruitiness of mango and honey beautifully finished with fresh herbs – wonderful! Can’t wait til lockdown ends here in Scotland in the UK and I can invite friends to come and enjoy this. Thank you and keep safe! Xx
Hi Georgie! It is so amazing to hear that you have all been enjoying my book and recipes! Hopefully the lockdown ends soon so you and your friends can have a great time with this recipe! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
So flavorful. I served the salmon dish with green beans and grilled vegetables instead of a starch which made for a fresh, summer meal. The mango and lime juice flavors complemented one another so amazingly well. I added chili powder for heat. Definitely will be added to the rotation!! Thank you….
Thank you Laura! xTieghan
This recipe was INCREDIBLE. I appreciate when I have everything in the cupboard and don’t need to buy a spice I’ll never use again. We made Jasmin rice as an accompaniment and the fragrant flavour of that rice complimented this dish perfectly. Love the one pan cleanup too!!
I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Megan! Thank you! xTieghan
this was delicious! we had it with couscous.
Amazing! Thank you so much for trying it Sadie! xTieghan
When do you add the basil?
Hi Seann, add the basil with the cilantro. Recipe is all fixed! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Do you think a pineapple salsa would work with this? Love your site btw! Thanks!
Hey Melissa,
Yes, I think pineapple salsa would be fantastic! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Wow. This was so easy and simply delightful. I used a cast iron pan and forgot how well it holds the heat. Ended up burning the garlic butter, so had to chop some more and try again. I suggest taking the cast iron off the medium set heat and give it 30 seconds to cool before adding your minced garlic and butter. 2nd time around worked like a charm. This was restaurant quality.
I love your recipes. Makes me feel like a chef!
Hey Anita,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Made this last week for my family that is getting spoiled by all of your recipes! This is one of their favorites so far. An easy weeknight dinner that tasted like something you might order in a restaurant. Excellent! Thanks for keeping weeknight dinners exciting!
Hey Chris,
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Didn’t measure everything to par but omg soooo good!! Caught salmon in Alaska and brought it back to Chicago. Was looking for a perfect recipe and this was it. Winner!!!
Hey there,
I am so glad you have enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week! xTieghan
I forgot to get a jalapeño 🙁 any recommendation for what to use in its place? Thanks
Hey Heather,
You can skip the jalapeño or use another pepper. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this tonight and it was a hit with the family. Such a great meal. Thanks!
Hey Laura,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xxTieghan
This is so delicious! I used Mykonos vegan butter to keep it dairy free & served over cauliflower rice. I thought three peppers sounded like too many and used two but wish I’d used all three recommended. Will be adding this one to the rotation frequently.
Hey Emily,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan