Description
This Cajun Salmon Avocado Lime recipe offers a vibrant and healthy meal featuring perfectly seasoned and seared salmon paired with a creamy avocado lime crema. Ideal for quick dinners, it's versatile enough to serve as bowls, tacos, or plated meals with rice, black beans, and fresh toppings.
Ingredients
Salmon and Seasoning
- 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Avocado Lime Crema
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a healthier option)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2-3 tablespoons water, to thin to desired consistency
Additional Components
- Cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- Black beans
- Corn kernels
- Chopped red onion
- Diced tomatoes
- Lime wedges
- Tortillas (corn or flour)
- Shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure even cooking and better searing.
- Season the Salmon: Mix Cajun seasoning, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper into a paste. Rub this evenly over both sides of the salmon fillets.
- Marinate (Optional): For enhanced flavor, refrigerate the seasoned salmon for 15-30 minutes before cooking.
- Heat the Pan: Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil, heating until shimmering.
- Sear the Salmon: Place salmon fillets skin-side down if applicable and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and salmon releases easily from the pan.
- Flip and Cook: Turn the fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes until salmon flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Alternative Cooking Methods: You may also bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, grill for 4-5 minutes per side on a medium-high heat, or air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes until cooked through.
- Rest: Remove salmon from heat and let rest a few minutes to retain juices.
- Prepare the Avocado Lime Crema: Scoop avocado flesh into a food processor or blender. Add sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, minced garlic, salt, and optional cayenne pepper.
- Blend: Process until smooth and creamy. Add water incrementally to reach desired consistency.
- Taste and Adjust: Season the crema to taste, adjusting salt or lime as needed.
- Chill (Optional): Refrigerate crema for 30 minutes to deepen flavors.
- Prepare Your Base: While salmon cooks or rests, prepare rice, black beans, corn, warm tortillas, or any preferred components.
- Flake the Salmon: Gently flake cooked salmon with a fork for easier assembly.
- Assemble Bowls: Layer rice, black beans, and corn as the base. Top with flaked salmon, chopped red onion, diced tomatoes, and drizzle generously with avocado lime crema. Garnish with lime wedges and extra cilantro.
- Assemble Tacos: Fill warmed tortillas with shredded lettuce, flaked salmon, red onion, tomatoes, and a dollop of the avocado lime crema. Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro.
- Assemble Plates: Serve salmon fillets with sides of rice, black beans, and a portion of avocado lime crema. Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro for freshness.
- Garnish and Serve: Add final touches of lime wedges and cilantro to any assembled dish and serve immediately while warm and fresh.
Notes
- Marinating the salmon is optional but recommended for more intense flavor.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier option in the avocado lime crema.
- If you prefer your crema thinner, add more water one tablespoon at a time.
- The recipe is versatile, suitable for bowls, tacos, or plated meals.
- Be careful not to overcook salmon to maintain moistness.
- For grilling, oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking.
- Use fresh limes and cilantro for the best crema flavor.
