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Starting the week off with the perfect Memorial Day BBQ recipe, Honey Mustard Grilled Salmon with Avocado Basil Sauce. Spice rub grilled salmon drizzled with sweet and tangy honey mustard. Serve alongside a deliciously addicting avocado basil sauce and top with sweet basily cherry tomatoes – so simple, extra colorful, and super flavorful. A great healthy salmon recipe to throw on the grill for Memorial Day…and every other warm summer night to follow.
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It’s crazy that Memorial Day is just a week from today. I say this every single year, so I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but to me, Memorial Day is the unofficial kick off to summer. I think most of you will agree with me on that. It’s exciting, right? I’m ready for the chill days of summer and all the delicious food that comes along with the extra sunshine and long days.
As close as we are to summer, back at home there’s actually a winter storm warning in effect. There’s 8-18 inches of snow predicted in Summit County – ugh. May is one of our “ugliest” months, but come June things will turn the corner, and I cannot wait!
The good news for me is that I’m spending all of this week in LA, and escaping the cold, dreary spring mountain weather. Pretty happy about it, such a fun week ahead!
Anyway, in prep for Memorial Day next week, I’ll be sharing all summer cookout recipes this week! Starting with this colorful and delicious salmon.
Do you all remember a few weeks ago when I made these black pepper chicken fingers? If you happened to have missed that recipe, I highly recommend giving it a scroll through. It’s become everyone’s favorite dinner this past month, mine included. What I love most about those chicken fingers though?
The honey mustard dipping sauce. Ever since I made that sauce, I have been obsessed with it. I’ve used it on everything from chicken, to salads, to this salmon recipe. It’s one of those sauces that’s just so easy make, and so good, that you make it all the time.
I started by rubbing the whole salmon with a mix of spices to create a bit of a rub. I love flavor, so seasoning the salmon before it hits the grill is a must, you know?
Once the salmon is grilled on both sides, drizzle the honey mustard over the warm salmon. The sauce melts overtop creating a luscious sauce that glazes the salmon. It’s almost buttery, but without any butter. It’s slightly tangy, a touch sweet, and all around delicious.
I like to serve this salmon topped with sweet cherry tomatoes and a spicy jalapeño avocado and basil sauce. The avocado sauce is the perfect creamy, spicy sauce to balance out the sweetness from the honey mustard. It’s almost mayo like, but so much better…and kind of addicting. Tip? Leftovers are great on a salad, toast, or even used as a dip.
And the tomatoes? They’re the best topping! Summer is so close, and soon we’ll be needing ideas for all those tasty tomatoes. Just trying to prepare us all!
What’s truly great about this recipe is how simple and easy it is, but yet it has so much going on. So yes, this will be great for grilling over Memorial Day. But it’s going to be equally great as an any night of the week summer dinner. Simple enough for Monday through Friday, but elegant enough for a dinner party with friends.
And healthy…major bonus!
If you make this Honey Mustard Grilled Salmon with Avocado Basil Sauce, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Grilled Honey Mustard Salmon with Avocado Basil Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 (2 pounds) wild caught salmon (skin on)
- 2 tablespoons + 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Avocado Basil Sauce
Basil Tomatoes
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- 1. Place the salmon in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add the paprika, cumin, garlic, lemon zest, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, rubbing the seasonings and oil evenly into flesh.2. In a glass jar or bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, honey, cayenne, and a pinch of salt. Shake or whisk until smooth and creamy. 3. To make the avocado sauce. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy, adding water – 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to thin the sauce.4. Heat your grill, grill pan or skillet to medium high heat. Place salmon on grill, skin side down. Cover and cook until skin is lightly charred, 4-5 minutes, carefully flip and grill another 3-4 minutes until opaque. Remove the salmon from the grill and drizzle with the honey mustard. 5. Toss together the tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. 6. To serve, spoon the tomatoes over the salmon and serve the avocado sauce alongside.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
This was great! We grilled it on a cedar plank and everyone, including kids, loved it with the rub and avocado/basil cream.
We served with the roasted asparagus and the honey mustard sauce. A few thoughts 1) the mustard sauce was pretty sweet. I will cut back on honey next time. 2) if using a vita mix to make the avocado creme and have the newer, wider containers this won’t work well, too small a volume. Consider a smaller blender or food processor.
Great recipe! It will be on repeat for us.
Yum yum yum! I am so glad you loved this Tricia! Thank you! xTieghan
Hey! What if your salmon is frozen? Should it be thawed first?
Hi Kara, yes you should thaw the salmon before using. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi tiegan! I love your recipes, I always come to your website when I’m cooking for company. I would love if you recommended some sides to go with your recipes! Making this salmon tonight!
Thank you so much Natasha! I hope you love this recipe! I usually love to add vegetables and a carb! Or maybe a side salad ? xTieghan
This was the best salmon I’ve ever tasted! My guests all agreed, the mix of flavors was so incredible.The avocado basil sauce was so fresh and tasty (one guest smiled and said it smelled like a garden), a perfect complement to the spices of the rub and the sweetness of the drizzle. I made sauté sugar snap peas and herbed quinoa to go with it – the perfect dinner!! Thank you so much for such an excellent, and easy, recipe! My guests were impressed!
This is so amazing to hear, Stephanie! Thank you so much! xTieghan
In the middle of making—lemon juice?? It only mentions where to put the zest, not the juice.?
Hi there! The juice is added to the honey mustard, recipe is all fixed! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
pst… What about the lemon juice?
Hey Allyson! the lemon juice is added to the honey mustard sauce. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I live in Los Angeles and It is supposed to be high 80s now esp this memorial weekend but forecast is mid 60s and some showers. It’s not going to stop me from firing up the grill and enjoying this recipe. This is going to be the 3rd salmon recipe I’ve tried so far from HBH, super excited. We love basil, salmon, cherry tomatoes and ? avocados! Can’t wait! Enjoy your time in (hopefully soon) sunny California Tieghan!
Wow sounds like the perfect weekend! I hope you enjoy yours, Imee! Also, I hope you love this recipe!! xTieghan
Made this tonight. Put lemon juice in spice rub, was that right? Didn’t get the taste of avocado Basel sauce. . . Maybe if salmon was dry but not so much. Liked honey mustard drizzle.
Hey Pam, I am sorry, not really sure what you are saying/asking. The lemon juice is added to the mustard sauce. Hope I can help!
About to make this. I don’t see where to add the lemon juice? Can’t wait to try yet another amazing recipe of yours.
HI there! The lemon juice is used in the mustard sauce. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I’m so excited to make this tonight! One question – does the lemon juice get drizzled on the salmon with the olive oil or is just the zest used? Thank you!
Hey Laura! I usually just use the zest, but you can certainly use the juice too! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
This recipe looks amazing!
Thank you Darina! xTieghan
I am crazy about this time of year and the grilling season. I can finally get out on my deck and enjoy the warm weather. I can’t wait to try this salmon recipe on my grill. It looks and sounds beyond delicious. Also the avocado basil sauce sounds “out of this world.” Thanks for always sharing such inspiring recipes.
Yes!! That is the best feeling! I hope you love this recipe, Linger! Thank you so much! xTieghan
This grilled salmon looks so good. I will definitely try this soon.
I smile when I read that you are in Summit County. That makes sense in your area. I also live in Summit County in Ohio! I never think of us living in a high altitude but I guess we do. Just not as high as you!
Enjoy Cali!
Wow that is so awesome!! Thank you so much Robin! xTieghan
Goshhhh, this looks SO GOOD! Can’t wait to make it 🙂
Thank you so much Maja! xTieghan
I love salmon, this is just perfect!
Thank you Ruth! xTieghan