A delicious new way to flavor up your favorite fish! Harissa Salmon with Shredded Coconut is a healthy new recipe to add to the dinner plate. Gluten-Free, paleo, and whole 30 friendly, so you’ll never be bored!
It’s been awhile since I shared a salmon recipe. Is has not been awhile since I shared a harissa recipe 😉 Trying to think back, I believe this was the second recipe I made using harissa back when I first discovered its deliciousness! A no-brainer here. The best fish, with (one of) the best condiments! (If you’re wondering, yes, don’t be surprised if you see me eating salmon with ketchup from time to time!)
Fish of choice? Salmon, always salmon! Nothing beats that rich, buttery, tender bite! And it’s pink (I love color!) I think it ranks in the most health-beneficial fish as well. Its protein and Omega-3 content can’t be beat. B-12, B-6, and Vitamin D, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, selenium, and phosphorous. Heart health, brain health, overall body health! Not to mention, salmon just makes you FEEL good and nourished when you eat it! i.e. happy taste buds, happy belly!
I did not grow up eating salmon (or any “real” fish for that matter). We were the canned tuna and fish stick kind of family (I miss those greasy fried then frozen and oven-baked sticks…dipped in ketchup of course!) Not even sure what kind of “fish” they put under that breading. We did eventually graduate to Gorton’s frozen grilled fillets and I think there was some popcorn shrimp thrown in there at times.
I just don’t think anyone in my family really knew how to cook fish. I can’t recall when we did eventually really start to add simple fresh white fish, like tilapia, to our diet. My mom of course never partook due to her allergy, but my brother and I loved it. I think the first time I had salmon was when my dad got one of those huge fillets from Costco one summer for the grill. First taste? HEAVEN!
Now that I’m the primary grocery shopper for the family and myself, I make sure salmon is a weekly thing. (I’m also the only one who knows how to cook fish properly). The “fish butchers” (what are those people called), know me well at the fish counter in our local grocery. I always scan the fresh fish selections to a “T” and we’re been pretty lucky this year with the salmon options. (Update…believe it or not, this week they did not have the salmon I usually buy, only organic $20 salmon…it’s a salmonless week here…).
Growing up on those processed varieties of “fish”, my mom seemed to always serve them with plain white rice as well. We were store-brand “enriched” white rice kind of people too. No shame! Sometimes I just crave plain white rice. It’s delicious, fluffy, easy, and nice on the tummy. So a little throw-back to the good old days, I served up this harissa salmon with a simple side of plain old white rice (you can choose what ever side you’d like though! I hear plantains make a rather tasty addition!)
Harissa Salmon with Shredded Coconut
- Fresh Wild-Caught Salmon Fillets
- Per Fillet:
- 2 TB Mild Harissa
- 1 TB Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- ½ Tsp Lemon Juice
- ½ Tsp Lemon Zest
- ¼ Tsp Cumin
- ¼ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ Tsp Dried Cilantro
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the salmon fillet(s) on a greased, foil-lined baking sheet before spreading on the harissa, coconut, lemon, and spices.
- Cook the salmon in the oven for 15-20 minutes until it flakes apart easily with a fork.
Is it bad that I’m really craving fish sticks right now? I should be craving salmon, but those greasy sticks (dipped in ketchup) are calling me. #OnThisWeeksGroceryList (I’m pretty sure Ian’s makes some nice gluten/soy/egg/dairy free sticks!) Haha, no shame here! But, if they have my usual on-sale salmon again…
So tell me:
+ Fish stick kind of kid or were you blessed with fresh fish? Why is there a stereotype that little kids don’t like fish?
+ What type of fresh fish do you buy most often? Salmon and then whatever else looks nice. This week it was catfish!
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This recipe looks and sounds delicious!
Thank you!
We were the fish stick family too! It’s been a long time since we’ve had salmon, and this looks so good that I have to put it back on the menu ASAP.
Dee recently posted…DIY Summer Cork Coasters
Gotta bring salmon back!!
Love salmon recipes. This one sounds so delicious and flavorful.
You can never go wrong!
This recipe looks great! My husbands not a coconut fan but he does like Salmon. I’m going to give it a try. Pinning!
Lacie Ring recently posted…Jalapeno Duck Poppers
Well it’s mostly harissa, obviously not very coconutty.
We’re keen healthy eaters and gymgoers and live off chicken and salmon. We tend to buy a couple of whole fresh salmon when its on offer at the supermarket and we just got 2, so I’ll have to try this out as it sounds really nice! Thanks for sharing!
Salmon and chicken are LIFE! Haha!
Ha! We did have fish sticks occasionally when we were young. And it always had tarter sauce on the side. Perhaps that’s why I’m obsessed with tarter sauce. Now we eat fish as ofter as we can. Salmon is the fish of choice, but tilapia and any fish we catch at the lake or in my parents stocked pond is fair game! I’ve never tried it your way, but it looks delish!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton recently posted…Is your Facebook Page a Desert Wasteland?
Fresh caught…that would be lovely!
I love salmon; I had it last night.
I have some defrosting for tomorrow!
I love salmon and harissa and coconut so this sounds like a recipe that we’d really like here too!
Corina recently posted…Chocolate Chia Seed Muffins
Fantastic!
This looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your yummy salmon recipe!
I’ve never cooked wtih harissa before!! Or even added coconut to salmon…but it sounds like a match made in heaven!!
Do it! You’ll love it Jess!
This salmon recipe sounds lovely. I like Harrissa a lot too so must give it a go. – jacqui
I hope you do!
I really love salmon when it’s fresh and prepared well! This sounds like a delicious recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Donna @ Soul Survival recently posted…“Exhilarated by Persecution” June 20
Yes, yes! The fresher the better! You can tell!
Most often we have mild white fish but my husband loves salmon and never had Harassa. Sounds interesting. Thanks for shariing
Melissa Ruddy recently posted…Over the Moon Link Party #28
Well, this will be a totally BOLD dish to try then!
Oooh, this looks unreal! I just bought coconut yesterday, looks like I nee to get some salmon!
Haha, yup! That component would help 😉
Looks Fabulous! I LOVE harissa!
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com recently posted…Not Your Nanna’s Brussels Sprouts
The best!!
This looks absolutely incredible and your photos are making me drool! I am always looking for new ways to make salmon, instead of my tried-and-true lemon and olive oil! Thanks for giving me a totally new recipe to use!!
Aw, thank you so much, Tiffany!!! There are so many ways to amp up the flavor! Always try new crazy combos and be adventurous!
This looks incredible! What a genius idea for a easy healthy weeknight meal! Can’t wait to try this! I absolutely love salmon! I’m going to try substituting gochujang (korean chili paste) for harissa and see how that works!
You’ll be missing out since harissa is not just chili paste.
You made me smile – it seems everybody typically hates fish as kids apart from fish fingers! I wonder what age it changes. I absolutely love your recipe. The harissa and coconut are additions I’ve not come across before, but would so like to try asap… I think THIS week. Pinning.
I think most parent’s “think” their kids won’t like fish, but I know I would have loved eating fresh salmon! But again…I was also the first grader bringing brussels sprouts for snack time 😛
I LOVE harissa and coconut … brilliant combo!!
Kristen @ The Endless Meal recently posted…Tropical Summer Coconut Oatmeal
A delicious combo!!
This looks delicious Rebecca! I have not tried harissa yet. In England we would call a fish butcher a “fishmonger”. This would be a store or person who specifically sells or prepares fish. Can’t wait to try this recipe. Have a wonderful week!
Yup! Someone else mentioned that in the comments!
Hi Rebecca,
I love wild caught salmon and this sounds wonderful with the coconut coating. what a great idea! Pinned & tweeted!
Marla recently posted…“Detoxification: The Body Clean Up!”
Totally the best!
What a great preparation for that beautiful Salmon!
Miz Helen recently posted…Full Plate Thursday 6-16-16 #280
Thanks!
This looks amazing! I love salmon.
The best!
So I am that person who just doesn’t seem to like fish! And yet I really want to like it, especially salmon, since it’s so good for you!! I need to give it another go …. love that you used harissa with this!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss recently posted…8 Stovetop Meals For Summer
YES!!! And make it salmon! You can’t NOT like salmon!
This looks yum especially with rice… I grow up eating fresh fish all the time, fish back home in Phils is cheaper compared to meat, so we always end up with fish most of our meals. No wonder I was attracted to this dish. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
O well that’s good to hear! Fish is such a wonderful staple to any diet!
Totally agree!
Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby recently posted…they spell love… TIME
I didn’t really grow up eating real fish either – just the frozen, packaged, not-so-great kind. But now salmon is my absolute favorite and I try to eat it weekly! Great idea to pair it with harissa here – how can you go wrong?!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table recently posted…Easy baked turkey meatballs
Haha, it’s so sad that that seems to be the case for all of us! So many missed years! Bahaha!
Yum yum yum, this sounds great Rebecca! I love Harissa! The addition of shredded coconut is such an amazing idea too! Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe! <3
Thank you! Harissa always makes a wonderful dish!
I didn’t grow up on salmon either – totally with you on the canned tuna and fish sticks!! But now it’s a staple in my house. I’ve never tried harissa. I’m so intrigued! This is totally my kind of dinner!
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…Paleo Banana Cream Pie Cookies
We need to make fish a THING for future little kiddos!
OOOOOO! Girl, get yourself some harissa STAT!
This looks so good! What a perfect flavor combination for salmon. My family did fish sticks too …. 🙂 White rice… and even microwave meatloaf… That last one might be why I’m a pescatarian.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Summer Berry Kale Salad
Bahahahaha! I never had microwaves meatloaf at least 😉
Isn’t harissa delicious? But to pair it with salmon is something I haven’t done yet. I normally just stick it in a salad 😆
Great recipe idea as usual Rebecca!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com recently posted…Cauliflower Dhansak
Put some harissa on your salmon AND your salad!
You know I’m most definitely alllll about salmon (and coconut!), so this is right up my alley!
Farrah recently posted…Life on the Farm
The salmon life!
That looks so good right about now! I’ve never had or even heard of Harissa, so I’m definitely going to need to look into that!
O gosh, you need o fix that stat!
Oh man, I cannot wait to try this!
Enjoy!
We buy fresh salmon every Thursday where I live, and I’ve been looking for some different ways to prepare it. This looks wonderful… I know what’s for dinner tomorrow night!
Ah!!! This was perfect timing then 😉
Harissa is one of may favorite sauces I need this salmon in my life =)
Adriana Lopez-Martin recently posted…Grilled Garlic Peppercorn Pork Loin
Same here!! I hope you grab some soon 😉
That is one gorgeous piece of fish. I am not a huge salmon fan, but I’d make an exception for this.
Wah :O I’ve never heard such a thing! You WILL love this!
Hi! I came across your recipe by surprise and I just had to stop and look at it. At first I thought, is that pizza topping over salmon? I mean a salmon base sounds delicious! But really I am so intrigued by these flavors… 🙂
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness recently posted…Are You Eating and Living “Clean” Enough?
Haha, no, but this is harissa pizza!
Fishmongers! That’s what they’re called 😉
And I started with tuna noodle casserole, then some combo of fish sticks and tilapia, but I never really loved it. Sometime in middle school, I allowed mahi mahi to grace my plate, and then salmon and all sorts of other stuff I now love. I’ve still never tried harissa, but this still sounds right up my alley.
O gosh, I think you’re right!!! That’s the word!! #SmartCookie
Oooo my mom’s tuna noodle casserole was the bomb!!! I miss that :O
Get some harissa…and salmon…and make this stat!!!
Salmon is my favorite too – you are right, it’s hard to beat that “rich, buttery, tender bite!” And Rebecca, I love your combo of harissa, coconut, citrus and a hint of cumin – so delicious!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan recently posted…Broth & Salsa Flavored Salmon Burgers with Turmeric Quinoa
Haha, yes!! The only way to describe salmon is buttery and rich…without the “butter” 😉
Thank you my friend! xo
Love salmon and definitely loving the flavors you used for this salmon dish!
Lindsay Cotter recently posted…EASY Jalapeño Shrimp Veggie Bake {Low Carb}
I knew you would 😉
Haven’t tried Harissa yet, but it sounds delish! And yes, wonderful on this beautiful recipe with coconut – yum!
~jules
jules recently posted…Celiac Awareness Month, Every Month
Wah!!? O girl, you would LOVE harissa!!
Coconut is always so delicious wherever it is used, and I am such a fan of harissa. My go to hot sauce recipe for bowls and dipping!
Laura recently posted…Salted Caramel Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Bars
Yes!!! Harissa is just such a great fun way to kick anything up!
Salmon is a favorite of mine, too. This one is gorgeous Rebecca!
Celeste recently posted…Gluten Free Soda Biscuits
The best! Thank you Celeste!
That salmon looks so delicious!!! I need to try this 🙂
Yes you do!!
I try to make sure that we have salmon at least once per week too! It’s so good!!! I also made some a few days ago and i need to have it again soon 🙂
rachel @ Athletic Avocado recently posted…No-Bake Paleo S’mores Protein Bars {Made with Collagen Peptides}
I wish I could have it every day!!! I would….I really would…just like potatoes 😛
We never had fish sticks growing up (and really only liked tuna fish for a long time!). I started with tilapia in middle school and then became a salmon lover/addict in high school 🙂
Emily @ My Healthyish Life recently posted…Banana Nut Maca Energy Bites
I think that’s the typical progression 😉 But I’m sad you never got to experience FISH STICKS haha! One of the best childhood foods!
I have a jar of Mina harissa in my fridge so I’m making this! So perfect on salmon. Love your gorgeous recipes, Rebecca 🙂 Sharing!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners recently posted…Summer Slaw with Peanut Dressing
O yay!!! It’s the best harissa! It’s always in my fridge too 😉
Thank you dear!
I just bought a jar of Harissa last week to make Harissa butter for a recipe I found. Glad to see I have another use for it. Thanks!
I have tons of harissa recipes for you to try!