Pan-Seared Salmon with Avocado-Cilantro Salsa
A fresh, Whole30-compliant seafood dish featuring crisp salmon paired with a vibrant avocado and cilantro salsa that balances creaminess with bright citrus notes. This American-inspired Whole30 recipe (gluten free), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, avocado, cilantro for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, 6 oz each salmon fillets
- 1 large, diced avocado
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp finely diced red onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 4: Flip salmon and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 5: While salmon cooks, combine 1 diced large avocado, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 2 tbsp finely diced red onion in a bowl. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 6: Plate the salmon and spoon the avocado-cilantro salsa generously over the top. Serve immediately.







