A simple baked salmon dinner recipe that is ready in 20 minutes? Sign me up! My roasted salmon with pineapple salsa recipe is refreshing and perfect for busy weeknights. I used cucumber in my salsa for crunch, but you can use tomatoes or a bell pepper if you like.
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While the salmon is baking you will have more than enough time to prepare the pineapple salsa and maybe even a side dish or two. Serve with garlicky green beans, lemon orzo pasta salad, or air fryer zucchini and squash for an easy weeknight meal. If you want to add a second sauce, try this avocado crema for a creamy layer.
Pineapple has a lovely acidity that makes it a perfect pairing with savory flavors. Pineapple has two seasons- all winter and mid to late summer. Pineapple salsa is usually made with bell pepper but I use cucumber for more crunch and a refreshing spin.
I highly recommend a brief brine for salmon before cooking. A brine is a salt bath that will reduce the albumin, a protein that seeps out of the fish during cooking. It is harmless but unattractive. This step adds 10 minutes to the recipe prep.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Salmon- This recipe can be made with fresh or frozen salmon. You can use salmon steak for this recipe but I typically use skin-on salmon. But if salmon isn't available, we like this recipe with mahi-mahi, tilapia, or seared tuna.
- Pineapple- Use fresh, not frozen. A little honesty here... I always buy the fresh, peeled, and cored pineapple.
- Cucumber- Preferably seedless, otherwise remove the seeds before chopping. Peeling is optional.
- Jalapeno- Add as little or as much heat as you prefer!
- Lime Juice- I do fresh lime juice but you can always substitute bottled.
⏲️Tips for Making Salmon with Pineapple Salsa
- While your oven is preheating prep the salmon and chop the vegetables for the salsa.
- This is not a crispy salmon skin recipe for feel free to line your baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment for easy clean-up.
- Bake the salmon on a center rack.
- Salmon can be served anywhere from medium-rare (my preference) to well done. Salmon cooks quickly, but typically 8 minutes is medium doneness, or about 125-135 F for the internal temperature.
- Let the cooked salmon rest for 5 minutes to seal in the juices.
- If the red onion has a sharp smell, soak the chopped onion in cold water for 10 minutes and drain it before adding it to the salsa recipe.
- Is the pineapple too acidic? Drizzle with olive oil. The fat will help balance the juices.
- For a spicier variation, try this roast salmon recipe with our mango habanero salsa.
Grilling Instructions
If you prefer to grill your salmon, no problem. Preheat your grill to 400 F degrees, which is medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin side UP. Cook with the lid closed for 6 minutes. Flip and cook for another 6 to 8 minutes until you reach your desired doneness.
🥗What to Serve with Salmon
Salmon is best served with quick side dish recipes because the salmon itself is so quick to cook. Our parmesan roasted zucchini and squash and cherry tomato salad are great in the summer. And in the winter, I recommend sauteed greens and our quick stovetop creamed corn.
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📖 Recipe Card
Baked Salmon with Pineapple Salsa
Ingredients
Roasted Salmon
- 4 salmon filets
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- kosher salt and pepper
Pineapple, Cucumber and Mint Relish
- 1 ½ cup diced fresh pineapple
- 1 cup diced seedless cucumber
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ¼ Tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ jalapeno veins and seeds removed, finely diced
- ½ lime juiced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- kosher salt
Instructions
Roasted Salmon
- Preheat the oven to 425 F degrees. If brining, remove salmon from the brine. Rinse and pat dry. Place salmon on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush with oil and season with salt and pepper.4 salmon filets, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, kosher salt and pepper
- Bake until flakey. Medium-rare is 6 to 8 and for well done 10-12 minutes.
- Place salmon fillets on a platter. Spoon a ¼ cup of salsa over each fillet. Serve the remaining salsa on the side.
Pineapple Salsa
- Combine all the chopped ingredients in a bowl. Gently toss to combine. Salt to taste.1 ½ cup diced fresh pineapple, 1 cup diced seedless cucumber, ½ cup diced red onion, ¼ Tablespoon minced fresh cilantro, 1 clove garlic, ½ jalapeno, ½ lime, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, kosher salt
Notes
- I recommend quickly soaking your salmon in brine to prevent the white protein from oozing out during cooking.
- See post for grilling instructions.
- For a spicier salsa, add additional jalapeno.
- For leftovers, I recommend flaking the salmon off the skin and mixing it with the pineapple salsa. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition
Common Recipe Questions
Can I pan-sear the salmon?
Yes, you can pan-sear the salmon. This will also gives you crispy skin on the salmon.
What can I substitute for cilantro?
In this recipe, I recommend you substitute a 50/50 mix of fresh mint and parsley.
Molly Kumar says
Such a delicious and easy recipe. Love the pairing of roasted salmon with juicy pineapple. Gotta try soon.
Leslie says
This dish looks like a wonderful, fresh summer recipe! Beautiful photos as well!
Ramona says
I love how refreshing that pineapple and cucumber salsa looks and sounds, something I never ever thought of combining with salmon but will definitely want to make this now. It looks really good and I am sure I will love that combo. I love it already. Thank you for sharing 😉