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Inspired by the popular Hawaiian garlic shrimp, this salmon dish is just as delicious and incredibly easy to prepare. Have 20 minutes to spare? Then you need to try this Hawaiian-style salmon with caramelized Meyer lemon relish.
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What makes this dish special
I know hundreds of salmon recipes are already out there, but I'm always looking for more. It's such a versatile fish that can easily be dressed up or down, and it always tastes great. To venture away from the normal Thai BBQ salmon, honey sriracha salmon, or pistachio crusted salmon that I always make, I decided to go Hawaiian. Inspired by Hawaiian shrimp, I used the same flavors to create Hawaiian-style salmon. Baked garlic butter salmon with a caramelized Meyer lemon relish? Yes, please!
Do you know those recipes that only have a handful of ingredients but still taste great? Yup, this Hawaiian-style salmon is one of them. If you've ever visited Giovanni's shrimp truck in Hawaii, you'll know that it's a fairly basic dish. It's shrimp dressed in spices, butter, and a good amount of butter. Although it seems ordinary, it's delicious. And so, I thought to myself, why not make a similar dish but with salmon?
For another delicious Hawaiian recipe, check out this spam, egg, and pineapple fried rice musubi!
Recipe
Hawaiian-Style Salmon
Ingredients
Hawaiian style salmon
- 4 6-ounce salmon filets
- 3 tablespoons butter softened
- 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ - 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Caramelized Meyer lemon relish
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ Meyer lemon thinly sliced
- ½ jalapeno, sliced seeds removed if desired
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- juice of ½ Meyer lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the salmon on a baking sheet. Combine the softened butter with paprika, cayenne, garlic, salt and pepper. Adjust the amount of cayenne depending on how spicy you want your salmon. Spread the butter on top of the salmon and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the desired degree of doneness.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the lemon and jalapeno slices and cook until caramelized and browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add chopped cilantro and the juice of ½ lemon. Season relish with salt and pepper and drizzle on top of the salmon. Serve.
Notes
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Season salmon
To prepare the recipe, first, make a flavored butter. Mix softened butter with paprika, cayenne, and minced garlic.
Spread the butter on the fish in one even layer. This Hawaiian-style salmon is mild, so if you want to kick it up a notch, add more cayenne.
Pop the salmon in the oven and bake until the desired degree of doneness. I typically roast mine for 12-15 minutes at 425 degrees F to get it medium done.
You can also grill the salmon or pan-fry it on the stove if you prefer, but I find that the butter can get messy. Baking the fish, in my opinion, is the cleanest method.
Step 2: Make lemon relish
Meanwhile, make the caramelized Meyer lemon relish. You might be hesitant to make the relish, but the acidity and herbs help balance the flavors.
Caramelize the thinly sliced Meyer lemon along with the jalapeno in a large saute pan until charred. Stir in the chopped cilantro, add a squeeze of lemon, and give it a final seasoning.
You can also finely chop the lemon and jalapeno, but the texture of the lemon peel can be off-putting for some people, so I use it more for a garnish. You get the essence of the lemon from the lemon-infused oil, so you still get plenty of acidity.
Now, spoon that delicious Meyer lemon relish on the Hawaiian-style salmon and serve it with a bed of rice. If you want to go full Hawaiian, have a side of macaroni salad on the side.
This recipe may be loosely based on Hawaiian garlic shrimp, but it's just as delicious. I prepare this dish for my private chef clients frequently, and they always love it. Plus, as a chef who's preparing multiple meals at a time, it's great for me because it's ready in only 20 minutes! Now that is my kind of meal.
Pair this Hawaiian-style salmon with some of my favorite sides, including charred corn and zucchini pasta salad, modern day caesar salad, honey jalapeno cornbread, or charred broccoli with pesto ranch for a complete meal!
Make-ahead and storage
- Make-ahead: The caramelized lemon relish and spiced butter can be prepared the day before. Bring both items to room temperature before using.
- Store: Keep leftover salmon in airtight containers and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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Mel says
What a fun way to prepare salmon! It was really easy to make and I really liked the lemon herb relish at the end.
Christine Ma says
Thanks so much!