This simple cilantro lime salmon is fresh and zesty with a touch of sweetness. It’s a 20-minute recipe that is seriously one of my favorite quick dinners to pair with a side of roasted vegetables and pesto pasta.
The salmon is lightly seasoned with paprika, garlic powder salt and pepper and baked until buttery soft. The zesty herb sauce is truly the perfect addition to add a little citrusy freshness to the fish.
This marinade comes together so easily, and has a touch of sweetness from the honey. You’ll need just a few simple ingredients like olive oil, fresh lime juice, cilantro and chili flakes. I based it off of my Chili Lime Chicken recipe with just a few modifications.
Enjoy the sauce on your favorite protein like steak, chicken or tofu.
What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe
- Salmon– you can use up to 4 salmon fillets, skin on or off
- Spices– the salmon is seasoned in paprika, garlic powder, salt & pepper
- Olive oil– you’ll need olive oil to marinate the salmon and for the cilantro lime sauce
- Cilantro– fresh, chopped cilantro is used as the base of the sauce
- Fresh lime juice– for the perfect zesty flavor
- Honey– to add a touch of sweetness
- Garlic– a non-negotiable in sauces and marinades
- Red pepper flakes for extra heat
- Prepare the cilantro lime sauce by combining the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl
- Season the salmon with your spices and olive oil, then bake it or air-fry for 8-10 minutes
- Serve right away with your herb sauce and favorite sides
Make it a meal
I love to keep things simple for dinner and stick to a hearty protein, side of carb and a fun veggie. Here are a few serving suggestions for cilantro lime salmon:
- Serve with jasmine rice and a side of beet whipped feta with roasted cauliflower
- Pair with pearl couscous with roasted vegetables
- Enjoy it over a hearty halloumi kale salad
Other salmon recipes you’ll love:
Salmon Rice Bowls
Feta Stuffed Salmon
Tahini Maple Salmon Bites
Cilantro Lime Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, about 4-6 oz each
- 1-2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cilantro Lime Sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- Pinch of salt
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F, or air-fry on 400 F
- Prepare the cilantro lime sauce by whisking together all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl
- Place your salmon on a sheet-pan and rub with the spice mixture. Drizzle each fillet with a little olive oil
- Bake or air-fry for 8-10 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of each fillet
- Spoon the sauce over each cooked salmon fillet when serving
Used my own mojo seasoning rub on the salmon, but the star of the show is the vibrant cilantro lime sauce….so good!
Thank you, Frank!
Absolutely delicious! Thank you.