Salmon Tacos with Avocado Yogurt Crema

flavorful recipes

By Maggie Michalczyk, RDN

Save this recipe for salmon tacos with avocado yogurt crema to make for an easy weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor and nutrition! It’s filled with veggies and you can make the salmon in under 10 minutes.

Salmon is one of my favorite protein sources. It’s filled with healthy omega-3 fatty acids and is super versatile to cook with! Sometimes I get sick of just plain salmon with veggies on the side which is why these salmon tacos with avocado yogurt crema are a great way to switch it up with tons of flavor!

If you don’t have these veggies at home feel free to use your own mix. The cruciferous veggies mix I used give these tacos a nice crunch and the feta cheese and slightly spicy avocado crema tie it all together with a creamy finish.

Cooking Salmon: Which Way is Best?

Sometimes I think fish gets a bad rap for being complicated to cook, but that’s truly not the case especially with salmon! Of course the best way to cook it also depends on your taste preferences but I have two fool-proof ways that turn out delicious every single time.

Let’s start with what type of salmon to buy. I always opt for wild caught boneless salmon when possible. 

To season salmon I place the filets in a Tupperware with olive oil, salt and pepper, lemon juice and fresh ginger. The exact measurements are in the recipe below! Then I cook the salmon one of these two ways:

  1. Baked. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place seasoned salmon skin side down on a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up and bake for 12-15 minutes.
  2. Pan seared. Done in under 10 minutes, pan seared salmon is super easy and comes out great every time. Place filets skin side up on a skillet. Since there’s already olive oil on the salmon you may not need more, but if it’s sticking to the pan add a little less than a tablespoon to the pan. Sear for 3-4 minutes, flip to the other side and sear for 3-4 more minutes. You’ll get nice grill marks on the salmon and that’s it!

This recipe works great with fish that you just cooked and is also great if you have leftover salmon and want to jazz it up to eat the second day!

Corn vs. Flour Tortillas: Which is Healthier?

You’re at the grocery store and looking at all the different tortilla options and what do you choose? If you’re looking for a grain free option, I highly recommend almond or casava flours tortillas (and chips!).

If you’re between corn and flour tortillas, here are the facts. Corn tortillas are lower in calories and carbs than most flour tortillas and have more fiber. They are also usually smaller than flour tortillas for built in portion control!

Corn tortillas also have less ingredients than some flour tortillas. Be weary of added sugars, etc. when you’re reading tortilla labels! For this recipe I opted for sprouted corn tortillas, which means that the corn was soaked in water which helps to unlock more of its nutrition and decreases the phytic acid (compound that impairs absorption of some minerals) content. I don’t always buy everything sprouted, but if you eat a lot of grains, nuts and seeds, it’s worth it!

A plate of Salmon Tacos with Avocado Yogurt Crema.

Salmon Tacos with Avocado Yogurt Crema

To drink: Pair with Diamond Collection Sauvignon Blanc

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

  • 1-2 salmon boneless filets with skin on 
  • 1-2 tbsp. olive oil 
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tsp. freshly grated ginger
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder 
  • salt and pepper

For the Tacos: 

  • 2-3 corn or sprouted corn tortillas
  • 2 cups mix of shaved Brussel sprouts, kale, cauliflower, carrot and cabbage (I opted for a pre-made mix at the store to save time) 
  • 1 red, orange or yellow pepper, sliced into strips
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds 

For the Avocado Crema: 

  • 1 avocado
  • 1 container plain greek yogurt ( I opt for the 0% plain version of this brand)
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced 
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

For the Salmon:

1. Season the salmon filet(s) with olive oil, lemon juice, ginger, garlic and salt and pepper.

2.Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place salmon skin side up and sear for 3-4 minutes. Flip to the other side with the skin down and sear for 3-4 more minutes. You may need to add a little more olive oil to the pan if the salmon starts to stick. 

For the Avocado Crema: 

1. Mash 1-2 avocados (2 avocados will give you a little left over!) in a small bowl. 

2. Add the yogurt, lemon juice and salt and pepper. Mix together until nicely combined 

3. Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top for a little bit of spice.

To Assemble the Tacos: 

1. Heat the tortillas on a warm skillet.

2. Add the veggie mix and the peppers to the inside of each taco so that each has a good amount.

3. Cut the salmon filets into a couple of pieces and add them to the tacos. Top with crumbled feta, pumpkin seeds, and a dollop of avocado yogurt crema on each. 

Did you make this recipe? Tag @ONCEUPONAPUMPKIN on Instagram and hashtag it #ONCEUPONAPUMPKIN

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Tags

seafood avocado recipe tacos salmon healthy sauvignon-blanc wine-pairings
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Maggie Michalczyk in a registered dietitian and blogger @onceuponapumpkin. She is a frequent contributor to various health and wellness outlets including well + good, MindBodyGreen, and Women's Health and believes that healthy eating should never been boring. Through her flavorful and nutritious recipes, Maggie strives to show people that the key to healthy eating is eating foods you love that make you feel good too!