Baked Salmon Mango Avocado (Printable Version)
Flaky salmon paired with fresh mango avocado salsa for a light meal.
# What You Need:
→ Salmon
01 - 4 skinless salmon fillets (6 oz each)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1 lemon, sliced
→ Mango Avocado Salsa
08 - 1 large ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and diced
09 - 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
10 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
11 - 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
12 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - Juice of 1 lime
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Pat salmon fillets dry and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season evenly with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Place lemon slices atop each fillet.
03 - Bake salmon for 12 to 15 minutes until just cooked through and flaky.
04 - Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, gently combine diced mango, avocado, red onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño (if using), cilantro, lime juice, and salt to create the salsa.
05 - Remove salmon from oven and serve immediately topped generously with mango avocado salsa.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The salmon stays impossibly tender while the mango salsa brings brightness that feels almost tropical without any heavy cream.
- Minimal prep time means you're eating something restaurant-quality in under thirty minutes, which makes weeknight cooking feel less like a chore.
- It's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, so you're not sacrificing flavor or nutrition for dietary needs.
02 -
- The biggest mistake I made early on was overcooking the salmon trying to make sure it was done; it continues cooking on the plate, so pull it out when it still looks slightly underdone at the very center.
- Prep your salsa ingredients ahead of time, but don't mix or add the avocado until just before serving or everything will brown and turn mushy.
03 -
- If you have time, marinate the salmon in olive oil with a pinch of salt and garlic for twenty minutes before baking to deepen the flavors.
- Buy your mango and avocado a day or two before you plan to cook; ripe but not overripe is the sweet spot for this dish.