Grilled Sockeye with Cherry-Corn Salsa

Wild sockeye gets a quick smoky grill treatment and a bright July-in-Washington salsa of sweet corn, cherries, Walla Walla onion, lemon, and herbs.

Ingredients

  • Fresh Sockeye Salmon Fillet Wild Caught (sustainably sourced)
    12 oz, skin-on if available $15.99
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob-Each
    2 ears $0.50
  • Fresh Rainier Cherries in Bag
    1/2 lb, pitted and chopped $6.99
  • Private Selection® Walla Walla Sweet Onions
    1/3 cup finely diced $3.99
  • Fresh Organic Lemon - Each
    1 lemon, zested and juiced $1.29
  • Parsley
    1/4 cup chopped $1.29
  • Fresh Jalapeno Peppers
    1 small, seeded and minced, optional $1.99
  • Olive oil
    2 tablespoons, divided
  • Kosher salt
    3/4 teaspoon, divided
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1/2 teaspoon
  • King Estate Pinot Gris
    750 ml $16.99

Instructions

  1. Heat a grill to medium-high and clean the grates well. Pat the salmon dry, cut it into 2 portions, and season with 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon zest, smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper.
  2. Shuck the corn, brush lightly with a little olive oil, and season with a pinch of salt. Pit and chop the cherries, finely dice the Walla Walla onion, mince the jalapeño if using, chop the parsley, and juice the lemon.
  3. Grill the corn first, turning every few minutes, until lightly charred and tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board to cool slightly.
  4. Place the salmon skin-side down on the grill. Cook without moving until the skin is crisp and the fish is mostly opaque, 6 to 8 minutes; flip carefully and grill 1 to 2 minutes more, just until the center reaches 125–130°F for medium or flakes easily.
  5. Cut the kernels from the grilled corn. In a bowl, mix the corn, cherries, Walla Walla onion, parsley, jalapeño, lemon juice, remaining olive oil, and remaining salt; taste and adjust with more lemon or pepper.
  6. Let the salmon rest for 3 minutes while the salsa juices mingle.
  7. Plate each salmon portion with a generous spoonful of cherry-corn salsa over the top and extra salsa alongside.

Total time: 35 minutes

Estimated cost: About $19–$22 using listed sale ingredients, plus pantry oil and seasonings

Health notes: Serves 2; about 520 calories per serving with high protein, omega-3 fats, and fiber from corn and fruit.

Drink pairing: A chilled Pinot Gris or dry Rosé works well with the rich salmon, smoky corn, and sweet-tart cherry salsa.

Wine picks:

  • King Estate Pinot Gris $16.99 750 ml
  • Charles & Charles Rosé Washington $9.99 750 ml

Why it works: Two bottles that play well with grilled, smoky sockeye and the sweet-tart cherry–corn salsa: a textured, aromatic Pinot Gris to match the salmon’s richness and a bright, fruit-driven Washington rosé to echo the cherries and cut the smoke. The King Estate Pinot Gris brings stone-fruit, floral notes and enough weight to stand up to grilled fish and charred corn while maintaining zesty acidity from the lemon and parsley in the salsa. The Charles & Charles Rosé offers crunchy red-fruit, citrus lift and a savory edge that will highlight the cherry component, refresh the palate between bites, and complement the smoked paprika and jalapeño heat.