Grilled Citrus-Marinated Salmon with Avocado and Arugula Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fresh salmon fillets marinated in citrus and herbs, grilled to perfection, and served alongside a refreshing avocado and arugula salad for a clean Whole30 dinner. This whole30 (gluten free) ready in about 50 minutes pairs salmon fillets, extra virgin olive oil, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 40 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a shallow dish, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 salmon fillets in the marinade, turning to coat all sides, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Remove salmon from marinade and discard marinade.
  4. Step 4: Grill salmon fillets for 4-5 minutes per side until flesh flakes easily with a fork and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  5. Step 5: While salmon cooks, toss 4 cups arugula with 1 medium diced avocado and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.
  6. Step 6: Serve grilled salmon on plates alongside the avocado-arugula salad immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Salmon with Avocado and Arugula Salad take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Citrus-Marinated Salmon with Avocado and Arugula Salad?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Salmon with Avocado and Arugula Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Citrus-Marinated Salmon with Avocado and Arugula Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Grilled Citrus-Marinated Salmon with Avocado and Arugula Salad whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes