• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Chisel & Fork logo

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • DIY
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • DIY
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    You Are Here: Home → Main Course

    Chimichurri Salmon

    July 16, 2019 | Updated January 30, 2021 by Ryan 2 Comments

    538 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Seared chimichurri salmon that's finished in the oven and then topped with fresh chimichurri make this a great healthy weeknight meal. It doesn't hurt that it can be made in under 30 minutes!

    overhead of salmon with chimichurri in skillet

    Usually when I make fish, it ends up being salmon - like this orange glazed salmon or tandoori salmon. It's just always been my go-to for seafood. I can't really explain why. We just love the taste and I love how versatile it is - especially this chimichurri salmon.

    For the longest time I would buy frozen salmon and then cook on a night when we felt like something quick and easy, but healthy. But now we live a block away from the best seafood in the area - Gibby's. When you can literally walk and pick up some fresh seafood, then be back at the house in under 5 minutes, it's hard to pass up.

    Because of that I've moved on from frozen salmon and always buy fresh - with the skin on! Why buy fish with skin on? Because if you cook it right, you get some super crispy skin that just adds to the texture.

    And while salmon is great on its own, this homemade chimichurri complements it perfectly.

    So if you're craving something that is not only healthy, but can be made in under 30 minutes, this chimichurri salmon is the perfect meal.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Side Dish Options
    • FAQs
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Seafood Recipes
    • Chimichurri Salmon
    close-up of salmon with chimichurri in skillet

    Recipe Ingredients

    • Salmon - use wild salmon if possible.
    • Unsalted butter - cooks the salmon.
    • Salt and black pepper - enhances the flavor.
    • Italian parsley, jalapeno, garlic, lime - where the flavor comes for the chimichurri.
    • Olive oil - helps thin out the chimichurri.
    • Red wine vinegar - adds some acidity.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Make the chimichurri first. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to release all of the flavors into the oil before using. Ideally you want to let it sit for more than 2 hours, if time allows.
    2. Preheat oven to 400°F. In cast iron skillet or ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tablespoon unsalted butter over high heat. Place salmon skin side down. Cook for 3 minutes to brown the skin and spoon some of the melted butter over the top of the fish as it cooks. 
    3. Transfer skillet to oven and roast until the fish is just cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
    4. Serve with 2 tablespoon chimichurri over each piece of salmon.
    process shots of how to make chimichurri salmon

    Side Dish Options

    Chimichurri salmon goes with a ton of side dishes - from vegetables to starches. Some options include:

    • Roasted Carrots
    • Butter Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    • Roasted Broccoli
    • Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
    • Rice Pilaf

    FAQs

    Which Salmon is Healthiest for You?

    Wild Alaskan salmon is the healthiest salmon available today. Since there are safe fishing practices used to capture them and they are wild, their natural diet actually mean the calorie and fat content is lower compared to farmed salmon. Yes farmed salmon is cheaper but isn't as good for you.

    How Do I Know Salmon is Cooked?

    You know the salmon is done when it is opaque and easily flakes when you press down on it with a fork.

    Do I Have to Make Homemade Chimichurri?

    No, but it's super simple to make. However if you don't have the time or want to chop everything, most grocery stores these days carry jarred chimichurri. And if they don't, pesto is a good substitute.

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • For even crispier skin, lightly dust the skin side of the fillet with flour before placing them in the skillet.
    • Once salmon is added to the pan, cook undisturbed for 3 minutes so a nice crust forms before adding to the oven.
    • Don't add the chimichurri until after the salmon is cooked.
    close-up of salmon with chimichurri in skillet

    Other Seafood Recipes

    • Honey Garlic Salmon
    • Baltimore Crab Cakes
    • Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
    • Blackened Cod
    • Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp

    If you’ve tried this chimichurri salmon or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    close-up of salmon with chimichurri in skillet
    Print Recipe
    5 from 3 votes

    Chimichurri Salmon

    Seared salmon that's finished in the oven and then topped with fresh chimichurri make this a great healthy weeknight meal.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 494kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    Chimichurri Sauce

    • 1 cup fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
    • ½ jalapeno, seeds removed and finely chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • juice from ½ lime
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

    Salmon

    • 4 (6 oz) salmon filets, skin on
    • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • salt and black pepper

    Instructions

    Chimichurri Sauce

    • Make the chimichurri first. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to release all of the flavors into the oil before using. Ideally you want to let it sit for more than 2 hours, if time allows.
    • You can also throw all the ingredients except for the olive oil in food processor and puree. Then slowly add olive oil until combined. 

    Salmon

    • Preheat oven to 400°F. In cast iron skillet or ovenproof skillet heat 2 tablespoon unsalted butter over high heat. Place salmon skin side down. Cook for 3 minutes to brown the skin and spoon some of the melted butter over the top of the fish as it cooks. 
    • Transfer skillet to oven and roast until the fish is just cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Serve with 2 tablespoon chimichurri over each piece of salmon.

    Notes

    • Use wild salmon when possible. It is healthier for you and just tastes better.
    • For even crispier skin, lightly dust the skin side of the fillet with flour before placing them in the skillet.
    • Once salmon is added to the pan, cook undisturbed for 3 minutes so a nice crust forms before adding to the oven.
    • Don't add the chimichurri until after the salmon is cooked.
    • You know the salmon is done when it is opaque and easily flakes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 494kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
    « Summer Pizza
    Peach Prosciutto Pizza »
    538 shares

    Receive Top 25 Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chris says

      July 16, 2019 at 7:52 pm

      5 stars
      Love chimichurri!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    About Chisel & Fork

    ryan standing in kitchen

    Hey there! Welcome to Chisel & Fork, a blog with tasty recipes and DIY projects. I'm Ryan and here you'll find hundreds of recipes ranging from true comfort food to vegan. Oh and if you like woodworking, you might just find your next inspiration. Read More About Chisel & Fork…

    Get Your Free Copy of My Top 25 Most Popular Recipes

    title page of ecookbook

    Easter Day Recipes

    • orange roll on spatula above rolls in baking dish
      Orange Rolls
    • overhead shot of smoked spatchcock chicken on wood board
      Smoked Spatchcock Chicken
    • mini ham and cheese quiche stacked on cutting board
      Mini Ham and Cheese Quiche
    • chocolate hazelnut biscotti stacked on white plate
      Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

    Popular Recipes

    • chocolate chip scones stacked on white plate
      Chocolate Chip Scones
    • spoon lifting out chicken paprikash
      Chicken Paprikash
    • close-up of german chicken schnitzel on white plate
      Chicken Schnitzel
    • close-up of pork tossed in sweet soy ginger garlic sauce on bed of white rice
      Mongolian Pork

    Featured In

    logos of places where Chisel & Fork has been featured

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Information

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Recipes
    • DIY

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Chisel & Fork

    538 shares