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This crispy turmeric salmon recipe is SO delicious and ready in 20 minutes. Paired with a herby greek yogurt sauce, this dish is easy, healthy, and high in protein. Enjoy with a side of greens and grains!

side angle shot of white bowl with broccolini, brown rice, turmeric salmon, parsley yogurt sauce

I’m so excited to share this crispy turmeric salmon recipe with you today! It’s such a delicious 20-minute protein dish.

In this recipe, crispy pan-seared salmon is topped with warming spices like turmeric, cumin, and garlic. These warm flavours are contrasted by a cooling herby yogurt sauce, which really rounds out the meal.

This salmon recipe is quick, easy, and healthy. As a dietitian, that’s what I’m all about. I hope you love this crispy skin turmeric salmon as much as I do!

Want more salmon recipe inspiration? Check out my roundup of simple, healthy salmon recipes for more ideas!

overhead shot of white bowl with broccolini, brown rice, turmeric salmon, parsley yogurt sauce

What Is Turmeric?

Turmeric is a warming spice derived from the Curcuma longa plant. The spice is widely used in South Asian, Indian, and Middle Eastern cooking.

Turmeric is well known for it’s bright yellow colour, which comes from fat-soluble pigments called “curcuminoids.”

The main curcuminoid is called “curcumin,” which is considered to be the most active component of turmeric that provides it’s many health benefits.

To learn more about turmeric’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, be sure to check out my post all about the Health Benefits of Turmeric!

four salmon fillets marinating on white plate

How To Cook Crispy Turmeric Salmon

To make this crispy salmon in a pan, start by mixing olive oil, turmeric powder, garlic powder, and cumin together in a small bowl.

Next, brush all of the oil-turmeric mixture over salmon fillets, coating well. Crack salt + pepper over salmon.

Then, heat a frying pan over high heat. Test to make sure the pan is hot enough by splashing a drop of water on it. If it sizzles – you’re good to go!

Take your salmon fillets and place them skin side down onto the hot pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes (depending on thickness), using a spatula to press salmon down.

Once the sides of the salmon have turned more opaque, flip the fish so that the skin-less side is touching the pan. Turn off the heat, and let the fish cook for another minute or two.

The goal is to have the outside cooked, but the insides still soft and tender!

Transfer the cooked salmon to a plate, leaving the crispy skin on. Serve with a side of grains and veggies, and drizzle with yogurt sauce.

close up of white bowl with broccolini, brown rice, turmeric salmon, parsley yogurt sauce

How To Make Yogurt Sauce

To make the parsley yogurt sauce that gets served with this turmeric salmon, simply add the following ingredients to a food processor:

  • Plain greek yogurt
  • Fresh parsley
  • Garlic powder
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt + pepper

Pulse everything until well-combined, adjusting seasonings to taste!

If you don’t own a food processor, you can make this by hand by chopping the parsley very finely and mixing everything together in a bowl.

What To Serve With Turmeric Salmon

I LOVE serving this crispy turmeric salmon on top of a bed of whole grains (like brown rice, farro, or quinoa). It tastes so nice to mix the herby yogurt sauce in the grains, too!

I also love serving this turmeric salmon with a simple side of cooked veggies. Anything goes here – roasted broccoli, sautéed spinach or kale, roasted asparagus, etc!

overhead shot of white bowl with broccolini, brown rice, turmeric salmon, parsley yogurt sauce

Salmon Health Benefits

Salmon is one of my favourite types of fish to eat. Not only because it tastes great and it’s easy to cook, but because it has so many awesome nutrition and health benefits!

Salmon is a good source of:

  • high-quality, complete protein (a 3-oz or 85-gram serving has 17 grams)
  • heart-healthy unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3s
  • B-vitamins, like B12, B6, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin.

Greek Yogurt Health Benefits

Another one of my favourite ingredients to use is plain Greek yogurt (or Icelandic skyr if you’d prefer), and not just for breakfast!

Greek yogurt is a good source of:

  • high-quality, complete protein (a 3/4-cup serving has 16 grams)
  • micronutrients like calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and B12
  • gut-friendly probiotic bacteria
overhead shot of white bowl with broccolini, brown rice, turmeric salmon, parsley yogurt sauce and blue towel

More Healthy Salmon Recipes

Did you give this Crispy Turmeric Salmon With Yogurt Sauce a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!

If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!

Get the Recipe: Crispy Turmeric Salmon With Yogurt Sauce

This crispy turmeric salmon recipe is easy, delicious, and ready in just 20 minutes. Paired with a herby greek yogurt sauce to round out the dish!
side angle shot of white bowl with broccolini, brown rice, turmeric salmon, parsley yogurt sauce
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Ingredients

Parsley Yogurt Sauce:

  • 2/3 cup plain greek yogurt (benefits of Greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 lemon, juice only
  • Salt + pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Mix olive or avocado oil, turmeric powder, garlic powder, and cumin together in a small bowl.
  • Brush all of the oil-turmeric mixture over salmon fillets, coating well. Crack salt + pepper over salmon and set aside.
  • Make the yogurt sauce by placing all sauce ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until well-combined. Set aside.
  • Heat a frying pan over high heat. Test to make sure the pan is hot enough by splashing a drop of water on it. If it sizzles – you're good to go!
  • Take your salmon fillets and place them skin side down onto the hot pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes (depending on thickness), using a spatula to press salmon down.
  • Once the sides of the salmon have turned more opaque, flip the fish so that the skin-less side is touching the pan. Turn off the heat, and let the fish cook for another minute or two. The goal is to have the outside cooked, but the insides soft and tender.
  • Transfer the cooked salmon to a plate, leaving the crispy skin on. Serve with a side of cooked grains and veggies. Drizzle yogurt sauce overtop + enjoy!

Notes

*If you don’t have a food processor, you can finely chop the parsley before stirring all sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
*While best enjoyed fresh, leftover salmon will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep any leftover yogurt sauce in a separate airtight container in the fridge.
*Serve with a side of whole grains (e.g. brown rice, quinoa, or farro) and cooked veggies (e.g. sautéed broccoli or leafy greens). Start cooking your grains before the salmon, so that they’re ready at the same time!

Nutrition

As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.

Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!

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