Salmon is nutritious, delicious, and the perfect thing to make on a warm summer night. As a bonus, you can use the leftovers from the first two recipes to make the third one for a quick lunch the next day. And, all three of these recipes are approved by my kiddos. You would be surprised what kids will like when given the opportunity to try new, flavorful things, especially if they are part of the preparation. I have found by getting my girls involved in the menu planning and nightly meal prep, they are way more likely to try new things and actually find out they they like them.
GRILLED SALMON PACKETS
Grilled salmon packets are a flavorful and easy way to cook salmon while keeping it moist and tender. The packets help seal in the flavors and juices, resulting in a delicious and healthy dish. Here's a simple recipe for grilled salmon packets:
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Additional fresh herbs such as dill or parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Tear off four large pieces of aluminum foil (or parchment paper), each big enough to wrap around a salmon fillet.
- Place a salmon fillet in the center of each foil piece.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over each salmon fillet, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle minced garlic, dried dill (or fresh dill), salt, and pepper over each fillet. Place a few lemon slices on top of each salmon fillet.
- Fold the sides of the foil over the salmon to create a packet, making sure to seal the edges tightly.
- Place the salmon packets on the preheated grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.
- Carefully remove the salmon packets from the grill and let them rest for a minute or two.
- Open the packets carefully to avoid steam. Transfer the salmon fillets to serving plates, pouring any remaining juices from the foil over the fish.
- Garnish with fresh herbs, such as dill or parsley, if desired.
Serve the grilled salmon packets with your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, steamed rice, or a fresh salad. Enjoy your delicious and healthy grilled salmon!
SWEET & SPICY PAN-SEARED SALMON
Pan-seared salmon with a sweet and spicy glaze is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines the richness of salmon with a balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Here's a recipe to guide you through the process:
Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each), skin-on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce (adjust to taste for desired level of spiciness)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish
Instructions:
- Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, Sriracha sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined. Taste and adjust the amount of Sriracha sauce according to your desired level of spiciness.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the salmon fillets in the hot skillet, skin side down. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the flesh is starting to turn opaque around the edges.
- Carefully flip the salmon fillets using a spatula and reduce the heat to medium.
- Pour the sweet and spicy glaze over the salmon fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let the glaze bubble and thicken slightly for about 1-2 minutes.
- Continue cooking the salmon for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness. The salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
- Remove the salmon fillets from the skillet and transfer them to a serving plate.
- Drizzle any remaining glaze from the skillet over the salmon.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions, if desired.
A hot honey can also be used if you have it in place of the honey and Sriracha. Serve the sweet and spicy pan-seared salmon with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete and flavorful meal. Enjoy!
SALMON SALAD
Salmon salad is a healthy and delicious dish that combines flaky salmon with fresh ingredients and a flavorful dressing. Here's a recipe for a classic salmon salad that is the perfect summer night dinner or lunch the next day using leftover salmon from the night before.
Ingredients for the salad:
- 2 salmon fillets (6 ounces each), cooked and cooled
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- Optional: Avocado slices, boiled eggs, or other vegetables of your choice
Ingredients for the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the salmon fillets by seasoning them with salt and pepper. You can cook the salmon by grilling, baking, or pan-searing it until it is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Let the salmon cool, then break it into large chunks.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, cucumber slices, bell pepper slices, red onion slices, cherry tomatoes, and black olives. Add any additional vegetables or toppings you desire, such as avocado slices or boiled eggs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add the cooked and cooled salmon chunks to the salad, gently folding them in.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Divide the salmon salad onto individual plates or bowls.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
You can customize your salmon salad by adding your favorite vegetables, nuts, or seeds. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch or dinner. This is also the perfect way to use up any leftover salmon you may have made the night before.
