Amazing Pesto Grilled Salmon, 25 Min

Okay, get ready for a flavor explosion that’s *so* good it’ll make you do a little happy dance! I’m talking about my Pesto Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Cucumber Salsa, and trust me, this is going to be your new go-to. It’s got that vibrant, herbaceous punch from the pesto, the gorgeous char from the grill, and then BAM! – this incredible, refreshing salsa that’s sweet, tangy, and crunchy all at once. It sounds a little unusual, right? Strawberries and salmon? But I swear, it just *works*. I stumbled upon this combo one summer when I was looking for something light and healthy that didn’t taste like cardboard. I’d been playing around with different salsas and had a ton of strawberries, and then I thought, “Why not?” It was a total game-changer, and now it’s a regular on my table. Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to whip up, perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something sophisticated without all the fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Pesto Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Cucumber Salsa

Here’s why this Pesto Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Cucumber Salsa is an absolute winner:

It’s ridiculously fast: We’re talking around 25 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you just don’t want to spend ages in the kitchen.
Amazing flavor combo: The savory pesto-kissed salmon meets the bright, sweet, and tangy salsa. It’s a match made in heaven, trust me!
So healthy and light: You get lean protein from the salmon and all those fresh, hydrating ingredients in the salsa. It’s a meal that’s good for you and tastes incredible.
Impressive presentation without the fuss: It looks so elegant and gourmet, but it’s honestly a breeze to make. Your friends will think you slaved away for hours!
Super refreshing: The cool cucumber and sweet strawberries really balance out the richness of the grilled salmon and pesto. It’s perfect for warmer weather.

Ingredients for Pesto Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Cucumber Salsa

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make this magic happen. It’s pretty straightforward, and I always try to grab the freshest stuff I can find because it really makes a difference. You’ll need:

Two salmon fillets: About 6 to 8 ounces each. I like to use skin-on or skin-off, whatever you prefer!
Two tablespoons of pesto: Homemade is AMAZING if you have it, but a good quality store-bought one works like a charm too.
One cup of fresh strawberries: Diced into little bite-sized pieces. Make sure they’re nice and ripe!
Half a cucumber: Peeled, seeded, and diced. This adds such a nice crispness.
A quarter cup of red onion: Finely chopped. If you’re not a huge raw onion fan, give it a quick rinse under cold water to mellow out the bite.
Two tablespoons of fresh mint: Chopped up really fine. Mint is the secret weapon here, don’t skip it!
One tablespoon of fresh lime juice: Just enough to brighten everything up.
One tablespoon of olive oil: Extra virgin, please!
Salt and pepper: To taste, because we’re all about that flavor control!

Gather Your Kitchen Tools

To whip up this Pesto Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Cucumber Salsa, you won’t need a whole lot of fancy gadgets, which is part of why I love it! Just grab:

A grill (obviously!)
A good mixing bowl for all those fresh salsa ingredients
A cutting board and a sharp knife for all that chopping
A bowl for the salsa
And maybe a spatula or tongs for handling that gorgeous salmon on the grill. Easy peasy!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pesto Grilled Salmon

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is honestly the fun part, where all those beautiful ingredients come together. It’s super straightforward, I promise, and the results are just *chef’s kiss*! If you’re a fan of easy salmon recipes, you might also love my Garlic Butter Roasted Salmon – it’s another winner!

Preparing the Strawberry Cucumber Salsa

First things first, let’s make that amazing salsa. In a medium bowl, just toss together your diced strawberries, that nice crisp diced cucumber, the finely chopped red onion (remember you can rinse it if you want it milder!), and all that fresh, herby mint. Drizzle in the tablespoon of olive oil and that tablespoon of lime juice – it really wakes everything up! Give it a good stir, then season it with salt and pepper to your liking. You can totally taste it here and add a little more lime if you’re feeling zesty, or even a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little tickle of heat. Set this beauty aside while we get the grill ready. For more refreshing ideas, check out my Cucumber Mint Infused Water!

Grilling the Pesto Salmon

Now, let’s get that grill fired up to medium-high heat. While it’s preheating, go ahead and give your salmon fillets a nice brush all over with that delicious pesto. Make sure it’s coated well! Okay, here’s my little trick for grilled salmon: I always lightly oil my grill grates right before I put the fish on. It really helps prevent any sticking disasters. Carefully place your pesto-coated salmon fillets onto the hot grill. You’ll want to grill them for about 4 to 6 minutes per side. You’re looking for that gorgeous flaky texture and maybe a nice little char on the edges. It should be cooked through, but still moist and tender inside. Don’t overcook it – nobody likes dry salmon!

Assembling and Serving Your Pesto Grilled Salmon

Once your salmon is perfectly grilled, it’s time for the grand finale! Carefully transfer those glorious fillets to your serving plates. Then, just generously spoon that vibrant, fresh Strawberry Cucumber Salsa right over the top. The colors alone are just stunning, aren’t they? You’ve got the deep green pesto, the pretty pink strawberries, and the bright red onion. Serve it up immediately and get ready for the compliments!

Tips for the Best Pesto Grilled Salmon

You know, just following the recipe is great, but a few little tricks can really take your Pesto Grilled Salmon from good to absolutely spectacular. I’ve learned a thing or two over the years, especially with grilling fish, and these are the tips I swear by to make sure it comes out perfect every single time. Think of them as little insider secrets to make that salmon sing!

Use the Freshest Pesto You Can Get: Trust me, this makes a HUGE difference. If you have a favorite jarred pesto, great! But if you can swing it, making your own basil pesto is a game-changer. The brightness just can’t be beaten. It adds that zing that really makes the salmon pop.

Don’t Fear the Grill Heat (But Watch It!): Salmon cooks quickly, and you want that nice sear from a medium-high heat. But here’s the thing: it can go from perfect to overcooked in like, 30 seconds. So, have everything ready to go. My Blackened Salmon recipe also relies on a good sear, so I’m all about that controlled heat!

Let the Salsa Marinate a Bit: While the salmon is the star, that Strawberry Cucumber Salsa is its perfectly balanced co-star. When you mix up the salsa ingredients and let them hang out for about 10-15 minutes before serving, the flavors really meld together beautifully. The lime juice mellows just a touch, and everything gets cozy.

Pat Your Salmon Dry: This is a big one, especially if you’re not using super high heat. Before you brush on that pesto, gently pat your salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This helps the pesto stick better and encourages a really nice crust on the grill instead of making it steam.

Ingredient Spotlight: The Power of Fresh Pesto

Okay, let’s talk about pesto. It’s kinda the backbone of the flavor here, right? And trust me, using fresh pesto is like the difference between a good song and a chart-topping hit. Store-bought is totally fine in a pinch – just make sure you grab one that tastes bright and herbaceous, not greasy! But if you’ve got a few minutes and some basil, a quick homemade pesto is *so* worth it. Just blend up fresh basil leaves, some pine nuts, a bit of garlic, Parmesan cheese, and good olive oil. You’ll be amazed at how much more vibrant and fresh it tastes on that salmon.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pesto Grilled Salmon

Got questions? I’ve got answers! This Pesto Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Cucumber Salsa is pretty straightforward, but sometimes little things pop up. Here are some things folks often ask me:

Can I make the strawberry cucumber salsa ahead of time?

You totally can! I actually recommend it. If you mix up the salsa about 15-30 minutes before you grill the salmon, the flavors have a chance to really chill out and get to know each other. The strawberries might get a little softer, but that’s okay! Just keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. It’s way better than making it last minute when everything feels too separate.

What if I don’t have a grill? Can I still make this?

Oh, absolutely! No grill, no problem. You can pan-sear the salmon. Just get a good, oven-safe skillet (like cast iron) nice and hot with a little oil. Sear the pesto-coated salmon for about 4-5 minutes per side until it’s cooked through. If the pesto starts to brown too much, you can finish it in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes. It won’t have that smoky grilled flavor, of course, but it’ll still be delicious! You might also like my Sheet Pan Turmeric Salmon for another oven-friendly option.

My pesto is pretty thick, what should I do?

A thicker pesto is totally fine! It’ll just cling beautifully to the salmon. If it’s *super* thick and hard to spread, you can easily thin it out with a tiny drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice right before you brush it on. Just a little bit goes a long way. You still want it to be spreadable, not watery.

Can I substitute the strawberries or cucumber?

You can definitely get creative! For the strawberries, you could try diced peaches or even nectarines when they’re in season. For the cucumber, diced zucchini or even finely chopped bell peppers could work in a pinch, though they’ll change the texture a bit. The mint and lime are pretty crucial for that fresh kick, so I’d try to keep those if possible!

Nutritional Information

Now, I’m not a nutritionist or anything, but based on the ingredients in this Pesto Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Cucumber Salsa, here’s a rough estimate of what you’re looking at per serving. Keep in mind, this is just a guideline, and your actual numbers might vary a bit! It’s pretty darn healthy, though!