VIDEO ALERT: Be sure to check out the video for this recipe in the recipe card. If you like the video, subscribe to our YouTube Channel!Salmon is such a versatile seafood dish that can be prepared in many ways.
We absolutely love grilling fresh salmon so much. You can certainly grill the salmon on cedar planks that have been soaked in water for a couple of hours, or you can just lay them directly on the hot grill plate. Either way, the fillets will cook beautifully. And then...the butter. Oh, the butter.
HOW TO MAKE GRILLED SALMON WITH POBLANO BUTTER
This dish is so elegant and has a certain 'special occasion' feel to it.
But, honestly, it's so easy to prepare. All you need to do is give yourself enough time to roast your chili, marinate the salmon for an hour, and allow the butter to harden, about 30 minutes to an hour.
So wonderful!
HOW TO SELECT AND PREPARE THE SALMON
There are numerous types of salmon that are available at many well-stocked fish markets, including at your local supermarket.
We love going with Sockey (Red) because it's super flavorful, beautifully bright orange/red in color, and leaner than other types. But you really can't go wrong with whatever you choose. If the fish looks fresh and vibrant, it's going to work well for you.
EXPERT TIP: We typically order a nice large cut of salmon, usually several pounds, and then slice them into 1 to 2-inch wide fillets at home. We recommend leaving the skin on because it helps hold the fish together while it's cooking on the grill. You can remove the skin once it is finished, or serve with skin-on. We like the skin on, it's crispy from the grilling and is actually quite delicious (and nutritious!).
A simple marinade of lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, cumin, and chopped garlic is all that's needed to enhance the super flavorful salmon.
ROASTING THE PEPPER DEEPENS THE FLAVOR
We just love roasting peppers. It concentrates the taste and adds a depth smoky flavor that is so wonderful.
Place just 1 pepper on a baking sheet and place under the broiler for about 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the pepper over until lightly charred all over.
EXPERT TIP: Placing the warm, roasted poblano in a bowl and covering with plastic wrap will continue to steam the pepper and allow the skin to become very loose. After it's cool enough to handle, simply place on cutting board an pull the excess skin away and discard. Don't worry if you don't get off 100% of the skin. It's edible and tasty, too.
Once the skin is off, you're going to want to remove the pod of seed on the inside of the pepper.
Use a small knife to slit the pepper down the middle, and then use a spoon and/or knife to remove the pod and seeds. The pepper can be gently placed under running tap water to help remove all the seeds.
Now, dice the pepper very finely. You'll only need 2 tablespoons, so you may have extra pepper. It's great as a topping for scrambled eggs or on a baked potato!
COMPOUND BUTTER IS EASY TO PREPARE
Compound butter is simply butter that has been combined with any kind of flavor enhancer, either sweet or savory.
After mixing together the softened butter with the roasted poblanos, lime juice, agave (or honey), cumin, and salt, place on a piece of parchment and roll into a log.
Turn in the ends of the paper and place in the freezer for up to 20 minutes or in the refrigerator for 45 minutes, until hardened.
HOW TO GRILL SALMON
Grilled Salmon with Poblano Butter really is so great in its simplicity.
We lightly oil the grill grates first, then crank the heat to medium-high, and then grill for about 6 to 7 minutes on each side. Throw a couple of sliced lime halves on the grill at the same time. They are delicious and make for a pretty presentation.
EXPERT TIP: We start by grilling the fish skin-side down first. This helps the salmon to firm up first, making flipping and removing the fish from the grill easy to handle. But, still take extra care, salmon fillets are more delicate than steak or chicken.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH GRILLED SALMON AND POBLANO BUTTER
We absolutely love placing the perfectly grilled salmon fillets over of a bed of our Cilantro-Lime Rice.
It really is the perfect complement to the marinated fish and luxurious compound butter.
This dish pairs beautifully with a dry white wine such as Pinto Grigio, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc.
This recipe easily feeds four hungry folks.
Double or triple the recipe when serving at a dinner party.
MAKE AHEAD: The marinade, compound butter, and cilantro-lime rice can all be prepared a day in advance. NOTE: Don't let the salmon sit in the marinade for more than 2 hours. The citrus will cause the flesh to begin to break down.
This recipe is so easy to prepare, we often have it on a busy weeknight, especially when a batch of the compound butter is already sitting in the fridge.
That being said, the presentation and taste of the dish are so wonderful, it makes for an elegant dinner party.
Oh, and that perfectly cooked salmon is just about as good as it gets.
Ready to make the best grilled seafood dish in town? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo, post it on Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and hashtag #howtofeedaloon!
Grilled Salmon with Poblano Butter
Video
Equipment
- Gas or electric grill, or indoor grill, or grill pan
Ingredients
FOR THE SALMON
- 4 fillets salmon about 2 to 3 lbs
- 3 tablespoon lime juice fresh
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 4 limes halved, for garnish
FOR THE ROASTED POBLANO BUTTER
- 1 poblano chile
- 8 tablespoon unsalted butter softened, 1 stick
- 1 tablespoon lime juice fresh
- 1 tablespoon Agavé or honey
- 1 tablespoon cumin ground
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions
PREPARE THE SALMON
- Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in a large glass dish. In a small bowl, mix together the lime juice, oil, soy sauce, cumin, and garlic.
- Pour the sauce over the salmon, cover, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, turning once.
MAKE THE COMPOUND BUTTER
- Place the poblano pepper on a baking sheet and turn your broiler to HIGH. Place a rack about 4 to 6 inches under the broiler. Place the baking on the rack and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Use a pair of tongs to turn the pepper over and roast for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until charred all over.
- Place roasted chile in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 15 minutes. Take the pepper out of the bowl and peel off the skin and remove the seeds. Finely mince the roasted pepper and set aside.
- Place the butter in a medium-sized bowl and add in 2 tablespoon of the roasted, minced poblano, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon Agavé, 1 teaspoon cumin, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Use a fork or whisk to work the butter until the ingredients are mixed in.
- Transfer the butter mixture to a square (10"x10") piece of parchment or wax paper. Using your hands, roll the paper over the butter and use your fingers to create a log of the compound butter. Place in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes, or in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the butter has hardened.
FINISH THE DISH
- Turn your grill to medium-high heat. Spray the grates with cooking, or grilling, oil.
- Place salmon, skin-side down. Sprinkle the tops with salt and pepper. Grill for 6 to 7 minutes. If desired, also place the lime halves on the grill at this point. Use a spatula or a pair of tongs, or the combination of both, to carefully flip the fillets over and grill for another 6 o 7 minutes, or until just cooked through.
- Remove the fillets and the lime halves from the grill and plate with a sliced pad of the poblano butter on top of the hot salmon. Garnish with grilled lime halves.
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in July 2016, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe including new tips and photography, and a fabulous new video in July 2020!
Donna Ybarra says
Every single one of your recipes that I’ve made the entire family has loved. I’m not a big salmon eater but this recipe is delicious and will be the only way I prepare it. Thank you!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Donna! That is music to our ears! We agree...even non-salmon lovers really like this dish! We are so very happy you had success with the dish and we appreciate you taking the time to let us know and for the wonderful review. That means the world to us!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley
Sarah W. says
This is a fabulous recipe! Super simple and delicious. Will be subscribing for future recipes. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Sarah! Awesome!! We love this salmon recipe so much, too, and we are thrilled you had success with it. Thanks so much for letting us know and for the wonderful review. That means the world to us!! Stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Susan says
So what’s the correct amount of cumin to use in the compound butter..... in the list of ingrdts you have 1 Tablespoon and in the directions you have 1 teaspoon!
I just used a tablespoon and am hoping it will be edible and not ruin my beautiful grilled salmon!
RustyChief says
I have checked your site and i have found some duplicate content,
that's why you don't rank high in google's search results, but there is a tool that can help you to create 100% unique articles, search for;
boorfe's tips unlimited content