
Gather your friends for this summertime crowd-pleaser. You’ll love the tender grilled salmon loaded with bright mango avocado salsa and pillow-soft coconut rice. Every forkful pops with a fruity tropical vibe. Be ready for everyone to come back for more.
I made this meal the first time for a summer BBQ and ever since it’s our top pick when the sun’s out and we want something special to share
Vibrant Ingredients
- Mango: you want one that’s still a little firm for the right sweetness and so it won’t turn mushy in salsa
- Salt and pepper: just a little punch makes everything come together. Start small then taste and add more if needed
- Lime zest and juice: real lime wakes things up and puts a zippy touch in every bite. Grab unwaxed limes if you can
- Red onion: adds a punchy bite that’s toned down if you give it a quick rinse
- Fresh garlic: for big savory flavor. Smash it up fresh for the best kick
- Red bell pepper: crisp, sweet, and bright—look for firm, shiny peppers
- Cilantro: just-picked leaves taste freshest and tie all the flavors together
- Avocado: it should give a little when squeezed and slice without turning to mush
- Salmon fillets: pick thick skin-free pieces so they grill evenly and stay juicy
- Olive oil and lime juice: keeps the salsa from clumping and adds zip
- Jasmine rice: rinse until the water’s clear so the coconut rice stays light and fluffy
- Olive oil: lets the marinade stick and helps the salmon flip off the grill
- Coconut milk and coconut water: these make the rice extra soft, rich, and dreamy
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get Set to Serve:
- Dish up some coconut rice on every plate. Place a grilled salmon fillet right on top. Spoon over the fresh mango avocado salsa and let the hot and cool combo come together. Serve right away for the best flavor punch
- Mix Up the Mango Avocado Salsa:
- While salmon cooks, stir together mango pieces, chopped bell pepper, avocado, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and a splash of coconut water. Salt and pepper til it tastes just right. Toss gently so you don’t smash the avocado
- Fire Up the Grill for Salmon:
- Crank up your grill and brush the surface with oil so fish doesn’t stick. Lay on the salmon fillets gently. Grill for about three minutes each side, turning with a big spatula so they stay whole. You know they’re done once they’re just starting to flake
- Coconut Rice Prep:
- Pop the rinsed rice, coconut milk, coconut water, and some salt in a saucepan. Hit a boil, stir, then drop the heat and cover up. Cook for about 20 minutes til it’s soft and most of the liquid’s gone. Take off the lid, fluff with a fork, and let it sit five more minutes uncovered so it turns light
- Marinate Your Salmon:
- In a roomy dish, mix together lime zest, juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Coat the salmon fillets on both sides. Cover them up and chill for 15–30 minutes, flipping them in the marinade once so the flavor sinks in everywhere

I’ll let you in on something—the mango in the salsa totally made this dish for me. When I served it for the first time my youngest daughter ate all the salsa by itself. Now we always share a laugh about it at dinnertime
Leftovers and Storage
Stash your leftover salmon in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two days. The rice and salsa keep fine too, but keep the salsa separate if you want that avocado to stay firm. You can zap the fish and rice in the microwave, just don’t heat the salsa—it’s best cold and crisp
Swap Ideas
If mango’s not handy grab pineapple chunks or diced peach as a backup. No jasmine rice? You can use basmati or any long-grain you like. Full-fat coconut milk rules but light works if you want less richness. Don’t have a grill? Sear your salmon in a sizzling hot pan
Serving Up
This dish stands on its own but feel free to add leafy salad or some grilled veggies if you’re craving more crunch and color. I love tossing together a crisp cucumber salad too and always have lime wedges nearby for squeezing
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do you keep grilled salmon from sticking?
Slick your grill grates with oil and brush the fish with olive oil before you toss it on. This keeps it from sticking and makes flipping way easier.
- → What type of mango works best in the salsa?
Pick mangoes that are ripe but still a bit firm. They’ll hold up when you dice them and toss perfect sweetness into the mix.
- → How can I make coconut rice extra creamy?
Swap in full-fat coconut milk instead of the lighter stuff or coconut water. It makes your rice way richer and silkier.
- → Can I prepare the salsa ahead of time?
You can whip up the salsa a few hours early but wait to stir in avocado until just before serving so it doesn't get brown.
- → Is there a substitute for jasmine rice?
If jasmine rice is out, basmati or plain long grain rice will work. Just tweak the amount of liquid for a good texture.