Air Fryer Chimichurri Salmon Recipe (2024)

salmon: Sockeye and Coho are my favourite species of wild-caught 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 usually use 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!)

🔪 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.

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 skin side down at 390°F. for 6 - 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filet.

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

👍🏼Tips and Variations

This flavourful chimichurri sauce 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.

How to freeze chimichurri sauce

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.

🍽 Serving suggestions

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

Salmon goes well with asparagus, too. Try this Quick Skillet Asparagus with Easy Lemon Garlic Aioli.

How to store and reheat leftover salmon

Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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.

🌟 Did you make this recipe?

When you make this salmon with chimichurri sauce, please leave a comment and a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating below. Thanks in advance! Subscribe to my newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox.