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    Home » 30-Minute Meals » Air Fryer Chimichurri Salmon Recipe

    Air Fryer Chimichurri Salmon Recipe

    Published: Sep 4, 2021 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 3 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Image with text overlay for air fryer chimichurri salmon

    Salmon with Chimichurri Sauce cooked in an air fryer makes a gourmet-style meal in less than 30 minutes! This easy Chimichurri Salmon recipe outlines how long to cook salmon in an air fryer and provides tips for success every time!

    a filet of salmon with chimmichurri sauce with broccoli and lemon wedges
    Air fryer chimichurri salmon makes a healthy meal, ready in just a few minutes!

    Chimichurri sauce, an intensely flavoured sauce made with fresh herbs, shallots and garlic, is one of my favourite sauces. I often slather it on chicken, as in this 30-Minute Chimichurri Chicken Dinner Salad, and I could eat this Grilled Chimichurri Shrimp every day of the week!

    So why not serve a healthy chimichurri sauce to go with salmon?

    Jump to:
    • Why this air fryer salmon recipe works
    • Ingredient notes
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Tips and Variations
    • How to tell when air-fryer salmon is done
    • Serving suggestions
    • How to reheat leftover salmon
    • More salmon recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why this air fryer salmon recipe works

    • You can use fresh or previously frozen salmon in this recipe.
    • Air frying salmon takes all the guesswork out of cooking salmon. It's so quick, and it turns out moist and flaky in mere minutes.
    • You'll love cooking salmon in an air fryer. An air fryer is like a mini convection oven. The heat circulates, leaving the outside of the salmon fillet slightly crispy while the inside is still juicy.
    • Cooking chimichurri salmon in an air fryer means you'll have the easiest clean-up ever. Usually, all my Ninja air fryer ever needs is a quick soak and a wipe to clean it.
    • Salmon is an ideal fish for air frying. Since it has firm flesh, it holds its shape in the air fryer.

    Ingredient notes

    salmon: Sockeye and Coho are my favourite species of wild salmon. If you have caught the salmon yourself, remember that you'll have to remove the pin bones first. These are the fish bone tweezers I use to remove the bones. (affiliate link)

    This recipe is written for four servings. I used individual salmon fillets. If you're using a whole salmon or salmon steaks and you're wondering how much salmon to serve per person, check this article, What is a Serving Size of Salmon?

    chimichurri sauce: you'll find complete instructions and amounts in the recipe card below. Chimichurri sauce is made with fresh herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro), shallots, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil and a little ground coriander and sea salt.

    If you like more heat, add a pinch or two of dried chili flakes. This pungent Argentinian sauce (which is commonly served with beef) only takes 5 minutes to make in a food processor, (and it's SO delicious!)

    Simple ingredients for a flavourful sauce!

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Start by making the chimichurri sauce before cooking the salmon. You'll be surprised at just how quick and easy this intensely flavoured sauce is to make!

    Add chopped shallots and garlic to a small bowl and toss with lemon juice and red wine vinegar. Set it aside while you set up your food processor.

    Add basil, parsley and cilantro to the bowl of a food processor, then add the ground coriander and sea salt.

    Process until finely chopped.

    Next, add the chopped shallots and garlic along with the liquid from the bowl to the food processor and again, process until finely chopped.

    • marinating shallot and garlic for air fryer chimichurri salmon
      1. Add lemon juice and vinegar to garlic and shallots.
    • add herbs to food processor to make chimichurri sauce for salmon
      2. Add herbs, coriander and salt to food processor.
    • process herbs for salmon chimichurri sauce in a food processor
      3. Process until finely chopped
    • chimichurri sauce for salmon in a food processor bowl
      4. Add shallots and garlic with liquid and process.

    With the machine running at low speed, slowly add the olive oil in a thin stream until well incorporated. Be careful not to over-process and chop too finely. Chimichurri sauce should be slightly chunky. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

    Your chimichurri sauce is done!

    Now pat the salmon dry with a paper towel, then coat both sides of the fillet with olive oil. Air fry at 390°F. for 6 - 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

    • Chimichurri sauce in a round bowl.
      5. Transfer to a small bowl.
    • a salmon fillet in a Ninja air fryer basket
      6. Brush or spray salmon fillet with oil on both sides. Air fry.

    Once cooked, brush chimichurri sauce over the hot fish. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing an extra burst of flavour!

    A salmon fillet cooked in an air fryer topped with chimichurri sauce served with lemon wedges.
    Serve chimichurri salmon with lemon wedges for an extra burst of flavour!

    Tips and Variations

    Chimichurri is delicious on other proteins too. Try this 30-minute Chimichurri Chicken Dinner Salad or 10-minute Grilled Chimichurri Shrimp. It also adds amazing flavour to grilled or roasted vegetables like cauliflower or potatoes.

    You can freeze chimichurri sauce! If you have extra sauce that you didn't need for this air fryer salmon recipe, refrigerate it for the following day, (it will last a week in the fridge) or freeze it for another meal.

    I freeze extra sauce in either small Mason jars or in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, pop out the cubes, transfer to a freezer bag, label and freeze.

    Chimichurri sauce in ice cube trays.
    Chimichurri sauce freezes well. Try it on chicken, lamb or shrimp, too.

    How to tell when air-fryer salmon is done

    It's easy to overcook salmon. Check it at 6 minutes. The beauty of cooking salmon in an air fryer is that you can check it frequently and add a minute or two more cooking time if needed.

    If it is beginning to flake when poked with a fork, but is still slightly translucent in the center of the fillet, it is probably done. Remember to let it rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the air fryer. It will continue to cook a little on the counter.

    You can check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. It should be 145°F.

    Serving suggestions

    I like to serve this air fryer chimichurri salmon with broccoli or green beans and these Crispy Lemon Oven Roasted Potatoes.

    How to reheat leftover salmon

    Use your air fryer to gently reheat leftover salmon. Use the Reheat function and heat for 2 - 4 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon. Remember to spray the air fryer pan with oil first to prevent sticking.

    More salmon recipes

    • Jerk Salmon and Black Bean Salad
    • Sesame Miso Salmon Bowls
    • Honey-Dijon Glazed Salmon in Foil
    • Miso Glazed Salmon in Foil Packets

    📖 Recipe

    Chimichurri Salmon on a plate with brocoli and lemon

    Air Fryer Chimichurri Salmon Recipe

    This recipe for salmon cooked in an air fryer, topped with flavourful chimichurri sauce makes a nutritious meal in under 30 minutes!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entrées/Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes
    Total Time: 22 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 455kcal
    Author: Elaine
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    food processor
    Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs salmon, fresh or previously frozen and thawed
    • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
    • 1 medium shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
    • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
    • ½ cup fresh parsley leaves, packed
    • ½ cup fresh basil leaves, packed
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
    • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
    • 1 pinch dried chili flakes, optional

    Instructions

    • Add chopped shallots and garlic to a small bowl and toss with lemon juice and red wine vinegar. Set it aside while you set up your food processor.
    • Add basil, parsley and cilantro to the bowl of a food processor, then add the ground coriander and sea salt. Process until finely chopped.
    • Next, add the chopped shallots and garlic along with the liquid from the bowl to the food processor and once again, process until finely chopped.
    • With the food processor running on low, slowly add the olive oil in a thin stream until well-incorporated. Take care not to chop too finely. Chimichurri sauce should be slightly chunky. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necesaary. If you like more heat, add a pinch or two of dried chili pepper flakes.
    • Transfer the chimichurri sauce to a small bowl.
    • Spray or brush the air fryer basket and both sides of the salmon fillets with oil. Air fry for 6 - 8 minutes at 390°F. or until the internal temperature of the salmon registers 145°F. (a little less if you like it more rare.) Air frying time will depend on the type of air fryer you have. This recipe was tested with a Ninja air fryer.
    • Using tongs or a fish turner, carefully lift the salmon out, leaving the skin behind if desired. Transfer to a serving plate and immediately brush with chimichurri sauce. Serve extra sauce on the side and garnish with lemon wedges for an extra burst of flavour.

    Notes

    It's easy to overcook salmon. Check it at 6 minutes. The beauty of cooking salmon in an air fryer is that you can check it frequently and add a minute or two more cooking time if needed. Air frying time will depend on the brand of air fryer you have. They all seem to be a little different!
    If the salmon is beginning to flake when poked with a fork but is still slightly translucent in the center of the fillet, it is probably done. Remember to let it rest for 5 minutes after removing it from the air fryer. It will continue to cook a little on the counter.
    You can check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. It should be 145°F.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 398mg | Potassium: 1209mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1025IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    More 30-Minute Meals

    • Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls (Gluten-Free)
    • Baked Sun-dried Tomato and Artichoke Chicken
    • Mushroom Black Bean Burgers (Vegan)
    • Open-Faced Harissa Chicken Burgers with Yogurt Sauce

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mona

      September 25, 2021 at 7:33 am

      5 stars
      This combo is amazing! Love that Chimichurri sauce. Thanks.

      Reply
    2. Dariel

      September 21, 2021 at 6:11 pm

      5 stars
      Such an easy recipe with so much flavor! This is one I'll make on repeat.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        September 21, 2021 at 6:54 pm

        That's good to hear! Happy to hear you liked it.

        Reply

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    Elaine from Flavour and Savour

    Welcome! I'm Elaine

    I create delicious gluten-free recipes that everyone can make. I’m here to show you that gluten-free eating doesn’t have to be complicated! I’ll help you make healthy meals that you’ll want to share with family and friends. About Me!

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