Mexican Salmon Recipe: Grilled Salmon with Chipotle Lime Rub (Indoor or Outdoor)

Quick Summary: Salmon fillets rubbed with a smoky Mexican spice blend and grilled in under 5 minutes on an indoor grill. The chipotle-lime combination creates bold flavor with almost no effort. Perfect for weeknight dinners. Slow carb compliant. Includes homemade fish spice blend recipe. Prep: 10 min | Cook: 2 min | Serves: 4

Jump to: RECIPE | Indoor vs Outdoor Grilling | Ingredients | How to Make It (Step by Step) | Serving Suggestions | Rubs & Sauces | Homemade Fish Spice Blend | FAQ

This is my go-to weeknight salmon. A quick rub of chipotle, garlic, and lime, two minutes on the indoor grill, done. The whole process takes less time than preheating an outdoor grill.

I know outdoor grillers consider indoor grilling heresy. But frankly, I’m too lazy to deal with propane tanks and grill maintenance for a Tuesday dinner.

My Cuisinart Griddler lives on the counter, heats in minutes, and produces perfect grill marks on both sides simultaneously. For salmon, which cooks in under five minutes anyway, indoor grilling makes complete sense.

I will often use this chipotle-lime rub on salmon, no matter which method I am using to cook it however. I grow, smoke, and dry the jalapeno peppers I grow at Heathglen Farm for making a number of chile spice blends that I sell at the farmers market.

This chile-lime rub is one of my favorites, and works particularly well with salmon.

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What is Mexican Spiced Salmon?

Mexican spiced salmon is simply salmon rubbed with a blend of dried chiles, garlic, and other warm spices before cooking. The “Mexican” element comes from the chipotle (smoked jalapeño) spice blend, which adds smokiness and moderate heat without overwhelming the fish.

Unlike Cajun blackened fish, which uses a butter-heavy technique and a different spice profile, Mexican spiced salmon relies on the natural oils in the fish and a lighter hand with the seasoning.

The chipotle does the heavy lifting, supported by garlic, onion powder, and a squeeze of fresh lime.

Why Use an Indoor Grill for Salmon?

I know the gas grills are easy, but I find it infinitely easier to use an indoor grill like the Cuisinart Griddler or a grill pan on the stovetop. Plus you can get great grilled food in the Winter!

Indoor grills, particularly the panini-style models like the Cuisinart Griddler, cook from both the top and bottom at the same time. This cuts cooking time dramatically. Salmon that might take 8 to 10 minutes on an outdoor grill finishes in about 2 minutes indoors.

The other advantage is no smoke. Salmon and fish cook so quickly that there is little time for smoke to develop, even on a stovetop grill pan. With a closed panini-style grill, smoke is essentially eliminated.

You also get grill marks on both sides of the fish, which adds visual appeal and a slight char flavor.

For those who prefer outdoor grilling, this recipe works the same way. Grill over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until the salmon flakes easily.

Ingredients for Mexican-Spiced Salmon

The ingredient list is pretty simple, depending on which spice rub you want to use. These are the ingredients I used in the recipe below:

Chipotle powder, garlic, and good salt are basics for any Mexican kitchen. For a full rundown on stocking your pantry for dishes like this, here’s the Mexican pantry guide.

How to Make Mexican Spiced Salmon (Step by Step)

Here are the 3 basic steps for this recipe. The details are in the recipe card below, followed by a how-to video.

Homemade Mexican Seasoning for Salmon

You can make your own homemade fish spice blend with the following ratios:

Stir together:

• 1 tablespoon granulated onion powder
• 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon chipotle spice
• 1 teaspoon pink salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

Use about 1 tablespoon of the blend per pound of fish.

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

I make this with chipotle from jalapeños I smoke and dry at Heathglen Farm, the same chiles that go into the spice blends I sell at the St. Paul Farmers Market.

Ways to Serve Mexican Salmon

• Flaked into tacos with cabbage slaw and salsa macha
• Over rice with black beans and avocado for a salmon bowl
• On a bed of greens with lime vinaigrette
• With a spoonful of roasted chile verde sauce

What Other Rubs or Sauces Pair Well with Salmon?

Salmon is one of the healthiest proteins you can eat in my opinion, and it lends itself well to many slow-carb rubs, toppings, and accompaniments.

Miso-glazed salmon, harissa-glazed salmon, and lemon-parmesan salmon are just a few that come to mind.

You could also enhance the Mexican profile of the recipe below with a chile verde sauce or a tomato salsa, both slow-carb.

If you like your dinner spicy, serve your salmon with a side of homemade Mexican salsa macha. It’s similar to the all-popular chile crisp but with a Mexican flair.

FAQ

Want a printable reference for your kitchen? The Fish and Seafood Quick Reference Guide covers cooking methods, timing charts, sauce pairings, and holiday planning ideas in 8 pages you can keep next to the stove.