Does this happen to you? I bought a big bag of nectarines from Imperfect Foods without thinking what to do with them, or how I was going to eat all those nectarines all by myself. Sometimes my eyes get ahead of my brain. Uh oh, now what? But, I had previously bought salmon from them and frozen it. I thought, well the sweet nectarines should pair beautifully with the fish. So, the answer was pan-fried salmon with nectarine salsa!
And then later, there will be nectarine mini tarts. Because why not.
Nectarine makes a refreshing change from the usual tomato. They’re sweeter, juicier, and a perfect foil for the tangy lime and spicy jalapeño. And summer is the ideal time to take advantage. The salmon was simply pan-fried with a squeeze of lime and a few seasonings.
This made a bit more salsa than I needed for just the salmon. But, it was fantastic over eggs the next day.
Pan Fried Salmon with Nectarine Salsa
Sweet nectarines are a perfect foil to spicy peppers and tangy lime, all over pan-fried salmon. Fast, delicious, and super-easy too.

Ingredients
Salsa
- 2 small nectarines, diced
- 1/4 C onion, chopped
- 1 T lime juice
- 1 tsp jalapeño pepper, chopped
- pinch dried cilantro (or 1/2 tsp fresh)
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- pinch salt
Salmon
- 1 salmon fillet, about 4-6 ounces
- salt and pepper to taste
- generous squeeze of lime juice
- 1 T olive oil
Instructions
- Combine the salsa ingredients together in a small bowl. Let it sit while you start the salmon (longer is better).
- Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and lime juice.
- Heat the oil in a skillet on medium high heat. Once it’s hot, add the salmon (skin side down) and sear on each side (about a minute each).
- Reduce the flame to medium-low and cook the salmon another 5 or 6 minutes (skin side down), until it is opaque.
- Remove to a plate, and pour the salsa over the fish.
Pan Fried Salmon with Nectarine Salsa Substitutions and Variations
- Don’t have salmon? This would work beautifully with a pork chop too. Pan-fry with some olive oil and cumin
- Or, try the salsa with some scrambled eggs
- Haven’t got jalapeño? Use red pepper flakes instead
More Salmon Recipes
Salmon in Foil Packet with Potatoes
Season, fold, and bake. No cleanup, and it’s a whole meal in a simple packet.
Salmon with Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
Crispy cucumbers, creamy yogurt, and touch of fresh dill add brightness and freshness to this sauce. Let it sit if you can to let the flavors meld.
This works with either smoked or cooked salmon. The citrus is sweet and bright, and the marinated artichokes add kick.
Smoked Salmon Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
Creamy, velvety and elegant enough for a special occasion. Yet, it’s surprisingly easy to make.