Salmon with Pineapple Jalapeno Salsa ~ this is a healthy light meal for a warm night, and the spicy fruit salsa can double as an appetizer ~ just add chips and an ice cold beer or margarita!
Salmon is fabulous, of course, but for me, it’s usually what’s along with (or on top) that makes it memorable. It could be a bright green swath of CHIMICHURRI SAUCE, a layer of CUCUMBER SCALES, some pretty RAINBOW PEPPERS, or even a CREAMY LEMON SAUCE. In today’s case a vibrant pineapple jalapeno salsa wakes it right up. The salsa has an unexpected but so pleasing combo of sweet and heat. My husband, who doesn’t even like pineapple, gave it two thumbs up!
If you’ve visited Mexico you’ve probably tasted their famous spicy fruit with chili and lime ~ it’s sold on every street corner! You can get it with watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, mango, coconut…pineapple is my favorite because it’s bursting with sweet juice to offset the spice.
This meal can be made to feed any number of people, and it’s especially easy when you buy the fish already cut into 5-6 ounce portions. I lay them out on a baking sheet, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and roast at 400F for 20 minutes. You can roast 2 or 20, it never fails, the fish is moist and perfectly cooked.
You can make a salsa (sauce) out of just about anything, but no matter how creative I get, I include lime and cilantro, they’re the heart and soul of any salsa, if you ask me. In this pineapple jalapeno salsa the lime blends with the natural juices of the fruit and the cilantro brings that fresh green punch that only cilantro can bring. It’s so good I see no reason to fuss with it. If you absolutely can’t stand cilantro, and I know there are a few of you out there, just use parsley ~ but I don’t recommend it 😉
My favorite tool of the season is my Alligator stainless steel veggie chopper. I originally bought a cheaper plastic version but just as I was falling in love with it, it broke on me, the plastic just doesn’t stand up to repeated use. I did some poking around and found this strong steel chopper, made in Sweden. It’s pricier, but well worth it for me, I use it all the time. I think it makes for the prettiest and most user friendly salsas and chopped salads. It finely dices foods that tend to go mushy, like ripe pineapple and tomatoes, and works with oddly shaped ingredients like olives and jalapenos. This stainless steel model makes quick work of super hard veggies like beets and watermelon radishes, too. It comes with a plastic catch-all that hooks onto it, but I don’t bother with it unless I’m chopping something super juicy that squirts all over the place.
Salmon with Pineapple Jalapeno Salsa
Ingredients
salsa
- 1/2 pineapple. peeled and cut into a fine dice
- 1-2 jalapenos diced, seeds and all (scoop out the innards for less heat)
- a big handful of fresh cilantro leaves rough chopped
- juice of 2 limes
salmon
- 6 salmon fillets about 5-6 ounces each
- olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set oven to 400F
- Pile the pineapple, jalapenos, and cilantro in a bowl and squeeze the juice of 2 limes over it all. Give it a good toss. Cover and refrigerate.
- Make sure the oven is at 400F. Put the salmon on a baking sheet or baking pan. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 20 minutes or until the salmon is just done through and flakes easily,
- Serve the salmon immediately, topped with the salsa. Note: you will have extra salsa.
notes and variations
- You could leave out the jalapenos and add some Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes instead. Just add to taste.
- There's no need to core your pineapple, the core is edible and very healthy!
19 Comments
Jeff
May 2, 2017 at 9:13 pmHey, I just made some salmon! I’d’ve loved to’ve had this pinapple salsa with it! I think we should make dinner together sometime!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
May 1, 2017 at 4:45 pmShoot, shoot, shoot. I’m making salmon right now, but it’s nowhere near as glorious as this. I don’t have any pineapple, but I’m definitely going to get some for my next salmon fillet! Beautiful!
Sue
May 1, 2017 at 6:13 pmHaha, there’s always tomorrow Lisa ~ hope you like it!!
Laura | Tutti Dolci
April 27, 2017 at 11:55 amSalmon has never looked better – your pineapple salsa is absolute perfection! 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
April 25, 2017 at 6:27 amWhat a lovely dinner! Pineapple salsa is the best and so perfect with the salmon 🙂
Monique
April 25, 2017 at 5:26 amOUCH..$169.00 here..
sad…crying…;)
Sue
April 25, 2017 at 12:16 pmI bought it at $120., which is still pricey, but I expect it to last, and I use it so often, not only for blogging but for regular meals, and entertaining…the perfect chop is really appealing 🙂 Hope the price comes down for you Monique!
Sue
April 25, 2017 at 12:16 pmAnd I NEED your recipe for coconut shrimp 🙂
Monique
April 25, 2017 at 3:21 pmI have low fat no fry and high fat full fry:)
But I want that thing:)
It will never come down..and if I wait until I am in the US..well it’s now $1000.00;)
Monique
April 25, 2017 at 5:24 amWhat a GREAT tool!! The material of it alone..so much better than plastic..
I am sure I would love this..I make a pineapple salsa for a coconut shrimp dish..Yum Sue!
[email protected] is How I Cook
April 24, 2017 at 5:26 pmPineapple Salsa is one of my faves! I also love baking salmon because it always turns out perfect and is so quick to make!
Sue
April 24, 2017 at 6:50 pmThanks Abbe, and I agree about baking salmon, it turns out so tender that way.
JWT
April 24, 2017 at 4:09 pmThis blows my mind, I’ve never come across a salsa like this, much less on salmon. I’m always so glad when I stop by, thanks Sue!
Sue
April 24, 2017 at 6:51 pmYou need to try my strawberry jalapeno salsa, JWT ~ and prepare to have your mind blown again!
Chris Scheuer
April 24, 2017 at 8:55 amBeautiful meal and beautiful video! I just happen to have everything on hand to make this delicious dinner! Woohoo!
Sue
April 24, 2017 at 9:05 amWe had the same meal two night in a row and could have happily gone for a third 🙂
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert
April 24, 2017 at 8:51 amWe just love pineapple salsa and salmon so this is going on my menu for sure! It’s hard to beat a good piece of salmon and the sweet / hot flavors of the salsa must compliment it perfectly!
[email protected]'s Recipes
April 24, 2017 at 8:30 amGreat that you used fresh pineapple for the salsa…the canned one just doesn’t taste right. A beautiful and delicious meal, Sue.
Sue
April 24, 2017 at 8:38 amOh gosh, there’s no comparison ~ thanks Angie <3