Paleo Diet Salmon Recipes: A Delicious and Nutritious Guide

Salmon is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making it a popular choice for those following the paleo diet. This article explores a variety of delicious and easy-to-prepare paleo salmon recipes that cater to different tastes and preferences. From simple weeknight dinners to more elaborate dishes for entertaining, there's a salmon recipe for every occasion.

Why Salmon is a Paleo Diet Staple

The paleo diet emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods that our ancestors would have eaten during the Paleolithic period. Salmon fits perfectly into this framework, providing essential nutrients without any of the additives or refined ingredients common in modern diets.

Health Benefits of Salmon

Eating baked salmon weekly offers amazing health benefits. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and B-vitamins, making this popular fish full of necessary vitamins. Fatty fish like salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids, which research suggests can help protect your brain from age-related memory loss.

Wild-Caught vs. Farmed Salmon

When choosing salmon, wild-caught is often preferred. Wild-caught salmon is more firm, more pink, and less fatty than farmed salmon. It is also lower in Omega 6 fatty acids, whereas farm-caught has more fat and a more mild fish taste. All ButcherBox salmon is wild-caught.

Easy & Quick Paleo Salmon Recipes

These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you need a healthy and delicious meal on the table in minutes.

Read also: Paleo Granola Recipes

Easy Garlic Herb Baked Salmon

This Easy Garlic Herb Baked Salmon is a quick, fool-proof, & delicious way to make salmon. Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Paired with the perfect garlic butter glaze, you will quickly come to love the crispy, flakey texture, that packs a punch of flavor.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets (wild-caught preferred)
• Olive oil (or melted butter or ghee)
• Coconut aminos
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Parsley
• Dill
• Thyme
• Minced garlic
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to Broil.
2. Spray a sheet pan with cooking oil. Feel free to use some aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
3. Lay the salmon fillets out evenly on the sheet pan.
4. Mix the olive oil (or melted butter or ghee), coconut aminos, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, dill, thyme, minced garlic, and salt together in a bowl.
5. Spoon some of the mixture on top of each fillet (without letting the spoon touch the fish), reserving 1-2 tbsp in the bowl.
6. Use a separate spoon to spread the oil/butter mixture evenly over the fish, coating all sides.
7. Broil the salmon for 9-10 minutes, until it flakes easily with a fork.
8. Spread the remaining oil/butter mixture over top the cooked fillets.

Whole30 Variation: In order to make this recipe Whole30 compliant, use ghee or olive oil instead of regular butter.

Storage: You can store this salmon in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

20-Minute Honey Garlic Salmon

This simple 20 minute honey garlic salmon is made in one skillet and the sauce is addicting! It’s paleo, gluten free and a family favorite. Serve it over cauliflower rice and with your favorite veggies for a healthy weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets
• Ghee
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Smoked paprika
• Honey
• Garlic

Instructions:

1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season them all over with sea salt and black pepper. Sprinkle the smoked paprika all over the tops of the fillets.
2. Heat a large oven proof skillet over medium high heat and add the ghee.
3. Place the salmon skin side down and sear for about 3 minutes to cook halfway through.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until well combined.
5. Once the salmon is halfway done, pour the sauce into the skillet and spoon over the salmon.
6. Transfer the salmon to the oven to broil the tops for about 3-4 minutes, or until cooked through and caramelized. Check often to make sure it’s not burning.
7. Remove from the skillet to a plate, and cook the sauce for about one minute in the skillet until it thickens. If you do this, make sure your skillet is very non-stick to avoid the salmon sticking.
8. Once done, spoon the sauce over the top of the salmon and garnish with parsley and lemon wedges as desired.
9. Serve hot over sautéed cauliflower rice or with your favorite veggies.

Alternative Method: Alternatively, to avoid the broiler, you can sear the salmon on both sides in the skillet to cook through, remove from the skillet, and cook the sauce for about one minute in the skillet to thicken. Return the salmon to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the salmon to heat through.

Read also: Paleo Diet Delivered: What You Need to Know

One-Skillet Paleo Salmon Dinners

One-skillet meals are a lifesaver on busy weeknights, minimizing cleanup while delivering maximum flavor.

Creamy Paleo Tuscan Garlic Salmon

This creamy paleo tuscan garlic salmon is a super-tasty one-skillet meal that’s perfect for weeknights and full of flavor! Perfectly seasoned, seared salmon with a creamy sauce packed with Italian seasonings, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets
• Oil or ghee
• Onion
• Garlic
• Spinach
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Tapioca or arrowroot
• Broth
• Coconut milk
• Italian seasonings

Instructions:

1. Heat a large non stick skillet over medium high heat and add a tablespoon of the oil or ghee.
2. Once hot, place the salmon in the skillet flesh side down, and cook about 4 minutes on the first side, flip, and cook another 3 minutes or until cooked to preference.
3. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
4. Lower the heat to medium/medium low and add the remaining oil or ghee.
5. Add the onion and cook a minute until soft and fragrant, then add in the garlic and cook another 45 seconds to soften.
6. Whisk the tapioca or arrowroot into the garlic and onions, the slowly pour in the broth white whisking, then the coconut milk.
7. Add the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes and allow mixture to simmer until spinach is wilted and tomatoes are softened.
8. Return the salmon to the skillet and spoon sauce over top.
9. Serve over cauliflower rice or with roasted potatoes and garnish with parsley if desired.

Creative Paleo Salmon Recipes

These recipes showcase the versatility of salmon, incorporating unique flavor combinations and cooking methods.

Paleo Roasted Salmon with Lemon, Maple Syrup, and Garlic

This easy Paleo Roasted Salmon was glazed with ghee, lemon, maple syrup, and garlic for a quick, flavorful sheet pan entree.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets
• Lemon
• Ghee or butter, melted
• Lemon juice
• Maple syrup
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°.
2. Line sheet pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.
3. Slice a lemon. Place the lemon slices on the prepared sheet pan.
4. Lay the salmon fillets, skin-side down, on the lemon slices.
5. In a small bowl, whisk the melted ghee or butter, lemon juice, maple syrup, and garlic to combine.
6. Spoon ¾ of the mixture over the salmon and reserve the rest.
7. Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and paprika.
8. Place another piece of foil over the salmon and seal the packet by folding the edges together.
9. Bake for 18 minutes.
10. Remove the top piece of foil over the salmon and drizzle the salmon with the remainder of the butter mixture.
11. Turn the oven to broil.
12. Place the salmon under the broiler and cook for 5 minutes or until golden.

Other Paleo Salmon Recipe Ideas:

• Bacon-Wrapped Salmon: A decadent and meaty recipe that will make your mouth water.
• Roasted Cranberry and Pomegranate Salmon: A perfect balance of sweet and savory, blending fruity flavors with melt-in-your-mouth fish.
• Salmon Cakes: A fun, crispy treat that is easy to enjoy, especially for kids.
• Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl: Adds some Asian flair to your typical salmon dish.
• Pecan-Crusted Salmon: Naturally gluten and grain-free.
• Greek Salmon Salad: Gives your creamy, protein-packed fillet a fun and surprising crunch.
• Salmon with Blackberry Sauce: The blackberry sauce in this recipe makes the perfect complement to your wild-caught salmon’s natural sweetness.
• Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon: Combines fluffy, buttery scrambled eggs with freshly sliced avocado and chewy, salty smoked salmon pieces.
• Salmon with Avocado Coconut Sauce: Salmon pairs beautifully with tropical ingredients.

Tips for Cooking Paleo Salmon

• Start with high-quality salmon: Opt for wild-caught salmon whenever possible for the best flavor and nutritional value.
• Don't overcook the salmon: Salmon is best when it's cooked to medium, or about 145°F. Overcooked salmon will be dry and tough.
• Use a variety of seasonings: Salmon is delicious with a variety of seasonings. Experiment with different herbs, spices, and sauces to find your favorites.
• Get creative with leftovers: Leftover salmon can be used in salads, omelets, or salmon cakes.

Paleo Honey Mustard Salmon

This recipe couldn’t be any simpler. It’s made with only a handful of pantry staple ingredients (minus the salmon), and every single one of them is pronounceable + recognisable. That, plus the salmon. All you need to cook this salmon is ONE PAN.

Read also: Paleo Mayonnaise Recipe

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets
• Mustard
• Honey
• Ghee
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350f or 175c.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
3. Lay the salmon onto the prepared baking sheet + season with salt and pepper.
4. Mix the mustard, ghee and honey in a small bowl. To make this dish Whole30, simply remove the honey + instead blend the mustard, ghee and 3 softened medjool dates in a food processor until smooth.
5. Pour the sauce over the salmon and stick the entire thing into the oven.
6. After 15 (or so) minutes, you’ll be left with tender, flaky, moist, tangy, sweet salmon that will satisfy all of your mealtime needs.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve salmon over cauliflower rice to keep it lower in carbs.
• Pair with your favorite roasted or steamed vegetables.
• Add a fresh salad for a complete and balanced meal.

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