This Southwestern salmon rub recipe is a little bit spicy, a little bit smoky and a whole lot good. Salmon is rubbed with love, grilled and then topped with a delightful Cilantro Lime Butter. This just might become your favorite Summer salmon rub recipe.
We love the results of grilled food, both from our gas and charcoal Webers. And think the aroma of a steak or burger wafting from those hot grates is about the best smell ever.
But have to admit I’m not a fan of the task of grilling. I’d much rather be in the air-conditioned kitchen chopping, dicing, fussing, sautéing, stirring, simmering, stewing, and braising, or sitting in the shade in my lawn chair with my glass of wine, watching someone else grill. ::::shrug
So with all that said, I’m so very excited to announce that we now have a griller in the house.
Bob received a gift of a certificate to a cooking class and what he came home with was a salmon rub that simply WOW’d the crowd. Let’s take a look.
Ingredients to make Salmon Rub
First of all, take a look at the line-up of ingredients for this impressive and rich-colored blend of spices for the salmon rub. The aroma was intoxicating.
- Chili Powder
- Paprika
- Smoked Paprika
- New Mexico Red Chile Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Cumin
- Black Pepper
Yes please.
Pat salmon filets dry, slather in olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, sprinkle on rub and rub into salmon. Shake off the excess rub and grill to desired doneness.
For the grand finale, dollop each salmon fillet with Cilantro Lime Butter.
It’s easy to make. Softened butter mixed with cilantro, parsley, honey, lime and salt and pepper. = DIVINE.
This is a photo after that wonderful Cilantro-Lime Butter oozed itself over and into the salmon. This salmon was perfectly cooked, juicy, tender and crazy with flavor. Hands down some of the best salmon I’ve ever had.
An impressive outcome for Bob’s first grilling project, especially since the wind was blowing a gale and it was cold out there and fish can be tricky to start with.
Look at this guy, one class and he’s a better chopper than I’ve ever been.
Recipe for Salmon Rub for Grilled Salmon with Cilantro Lime Butter
I hope you give this salmon rub recipe a try. And if you do, please come back and give the recipe a star rating and leave a comment about your experience with the recipe.
And if you have a favorite recipe for spice rubbed salmon, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.
More Popular Salmon Recipes
- Peach Jam Glazed Salmon
- Grilled Copper River Salmon
- Mexican Salmon with Salsa Verde
- Smoked Salmon Appetizer Platter (Fan Favorite)
And if you’re looking for more super fast seafood dinner ideas, you won’t want to miss this broiled halibut recipe, Heavenly Halibut.
Salmon Rub for Grilled Salmon with Cilantro Lime Butter
Ingredients
- 4 Salmon Fillets
- For The Salmon Rub
- 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
- 2 Tablespoon Paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon New Mexico Chile Powder or Cayenne, or Ancho
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper fresh ground
- For the Cilantro Lime Butter
- 4 Tablespoons Butter room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons Cilantro chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Italian Parsley chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- ½ Lime juiced
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients for the spice rub. Set aside.
- Bring butter to room temperature.
- In a bowl, mix all ingredients for the Cilantro Lime Butter. Set aside.
- Sprinkle the spice mix over the salmon fillets and gently rub into the meat. Shake the excess rub off the salmon fillets.
- Light a grill and preheat to 500 degrees. Turn heat down to 350 degrees. Place salmon fillets on grill. Cook 12 – 15 minutes or until salmon is just starting to flake.
- Serve immediately and top each salmon fillet with a dollop of the cilantro lime butter.
Nutrition
Salmon Rub for Grilled Salmon with Cilantro-Lime Butter…It’s What’s for Dinner.
Why Trust My Recipes? I am a Culinary School Graduate and a lifelong student of home cooking. I hope to inspire you try to cook as often as you can. I’ve been cooking for 50 years, and my recipes are tried and true tested and tested and then tested again before published. To read more take a look at my About Page.
Woot woot, go Bob!
Yeah, I don’t like grilling much either (snicker).
LOL Chris, I’ve noticed.
JUST got back to town and am checking email when I see you blogging about Bob making a delicious salmon dinner?? Yum – I love the ingredients in that rub. I can tell it would be bursting with flavor. And the cilantro butter made my mouth water! I am totally with you on not being an avid griller – preferring instead to work on the rest while my griller does the outdoor part. (though I went through a mesquite wood phase in Texas where I was hell-bent on learning a little) I’m inspired to try to do more on the gas grill after reading your post. Very nice. One last thing. Try a pinch of smoked paprika, a pinch of good chile powder and a dash of cayenne with sea salt and olive oil on popcorn. Girl!
So where have you been? I’m am so trying a pinch of smoked paprika, a pinch of good chile powder and a dash of cayenne with salt and olive oil on popcorn!!! This morning. 🙂
So…a pinch of smoked paprika, and I’m coughing a bit…but what a rush. sorry, just kidding.
The popcorn salt/smoked paprika/cayenne/chili powder/ oilive oil/ whatever else/are you serious? Not Kidding ! I’m IN
No way I can sort all this out. But I’m all the way in.
I think this would pair very nicely for our next Wine Time! I’ve gotta give it a try and I think you sound like the perfect and willing guinea pig.
Mmmm… Zio grills fish for us every weekend. I admit that’s the day I look forward to dinner most. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Liz, keep your fingers crossed that I too will have a weekend griller.
Sounds like you already do 😉
I do believe you’re right Liz. He’s already got something planned for Oscar night. 🙂
Wow wow wow! I’m not a griller either, but I might have to learn if the results are that good! Love that cilantro lime butter. Just perfect for the salmon.
Joanne, that butter is to die for.
Love all the spices in that rub – smoked paprika has become a favorite of mine. I bet the cilantro butter would be good on different fish, too. I’m thinking trout and halibut.
I am very looking forward to more recipes that include smoked paprika. Love it. That butter would be good on anything. Delicious. Thanks for stopping by Karen.
Just happened upon your blog. Great site. I really want to try that butter.
I just got back from 10 days in Seattle, where I had salmon twice. I’m thinking I need to have it a third time. Yum!
Isn’t Seattle a great place to visit. Hope your trip was great, see you soon.
Boy that looks good! Congrats on getting a griller in your house. I love salmon on the grill and an sure going to have to try that cilantro butter.
That butter might just be the best thing about it. To taste it separately from the rest of the meal is a real treat.
Good going Bob. Your dinner looks delicious. We love salmon and are always on the look-out for more recipes, so I’m making a note of this one. Really like the use of both of the paprikas in the rub and who could say no to cilantro butter?
Sam
Smoked paprika is a wonderful treat! Loved it. That butter is goooo-OD!
I just thawed some salmon, I have some cilantro…and this is literally making me want to run down to the kitchen and get started. I admit…I am something of a grilling fool; unless there is a blinding blizzard I will venture outside all year. I do love the flavor but that cleanup ease is sure high on the list too.
So enjoying your hubs classes…keep’em coming! 🙂
Hope you like the recipe Barb, if not blame the cooking school! 🙂 I love grilled food so much that I will grill in some pretty inclement weather…but I’m thrilled I now have someone to take over the duties. See you Saturday.
I am the same way about grilling – looks like I need to send my Dad to class! This looks insanely good and I bet that lime butter would be good on a multitude of things!
Reeni, that lime butter is wonderful. Thanks for stopping by
“Ooozed itself over and into the salmon” … that’s funny and delicious-sounding. I think you and I have the same affinity for toppings 🙂
It most certainly oozed Sara. Did you see how much Bob put on my slab of salmon???? Part of that came off before the oozing began.
Hey lea Ann… every one needs a good sous chef…
Hey, I am almost ready to beta test my “project”. Are you interested in dropping an opinion? Could you send me your email address
Dave at Year on the Grill
yearontheGrill@yahoo.com
Lovely beautiful meal!
Thanks Mary!
Salmon does so well with strong flavors, doesn’t it?? I LOVE compound butter!! My mother-in-law says it in a thick Boston accent: compound BUTTAH. Love it!
I was so worried that this seasoning was going to be overwhelming…I’ve always used a milder approach. It was delicious. I waak wath a gaall fram Bastan….no need to explain the accent. LOL
What a great gift and it looks like he picked the right class! Your son’s comment was too funny…can’t wait to have to deal with comments like that – mine in only 2 but I know it’s in my future! LOL!
Salmon happens to be one of my favorite things and this recipe looks so full of flavor I must try it! LOVE the butter!
Thanks for your nice comment on my blog 🙂
I cracked up when he said it! Yes, you have awhile before the ornery comments commence. That butter was really really really good. Loved the honey in it. You’re welcome, you really take nice photos.
Congrats on obtaining a personal griller!
Well keep your fingers crossed for me Russ…that means no doodling. 🙂
You had me at “Weber.”
🙂
Yum and I LOVE the cilantro lime butter. Going to use that on lots of things, Lea Ann!
I have to cook stovetop…no grilling here, but imagine this will still be fabulous!
Barbara that butter is delicious. The addition of honey is marvelous. I love grilled food so much that I will continue…even if Bob finds it’s not his “thing”. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Looks like Bob’s got it going. I just enroled in an online cooking school – figure it’s time to learn the basics, like how to heat up a pan – which I didn’t know. The salmon looks delicious and since I get stuck cooking it tha same ole way, I like getting the new recipes – especially the cilantro-lime butter. Bev loves to sit with me and sip wine while I grill and I like for her to do it. Today it’s grilling tomorrow it could be a grilling blog – “Charcoal, Lea Ann, and Z”
I’ll be anxious to hear about school! Love it.