Bonus Recipe: Salmon with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

Cool & creamy cilantro-lime dressing, plus the best ways to cook salmon.

I serve salmon for dinner several times a month and I’m always looking for new salmon recipes. What I’ve learned, though, is that my kids don’t really like new salmon recipes (especially my 9 year old). They like plain salmon, with nothing on it. Which is fine, and actually makes my life easier, but sometimes I crave more flavor.

My solution is to serve salmon with a bold salad dressing on the side. The kids can eat plain salmon and the adults can pour on more flavor. It only takes a few minutes to make salad dressing and it can change the flavor of dinner completely.

This summer I’m all about cool and creamy cilantro-lime dressing. It’s zippy and zesty with a big kick of lime and fresh, citrusy cilantro flavor.

I’ve tried at least a half dozen different salmon dinner combinations with this dressing served on the side and they’ve all been really delicious. The great thing about salad dressing is that it’s not only for salad greens. You can pour this dressing over roasted vegetables, steamed potatoes, broccoli, rice or pasta. When I make this dressing, I pour it over the salmon and over all the side dishes on my plate.

Here are a few salmon dinner combinations that work really well with creamy cilantro-lime dressing served on the side:

• Salmon and salad greens

• Salmon and potatoes

• Salmon with fresh corn and sliced cucumbers

• Salmon with grilled zucchini

• Salmon with orzo pasta (it’s really good with cold orzo, served as a chilled pasta salad with salmon flaked over the top)

• Salmon tacos

Below, you’ll find the recipe for creamy cilantro dressing, plus cooking instructions for grilled salmon, baked salmon, and my very favorite, crispy pan-seared salmon.