Grilled Coho with Charred Summer Corn

A polished late-summer Washington dinner of smoky grilled coho with juicy corn-tomato salad and melting lemon-basil butter, ready in well under an hour.

  • Total time: 40 min
  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Estimated total cost: $19
  • Calories per serving: 600 cal
  • Grill

Ingredients

  • Coho Salmon Fillet
    12 ounces $15.99
  • Bi-color Corn
    2 ears $0.79
  • Organic Sungold Cherry Tomatoes
    6 ounces $4.43
  • Green Onion
    2 green onions $1.39
  • Organic Basil
    1/4 cup chopped $2.99
  • Organic Lemons
    1 medium lemon, for 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice $1.29
  • Unsalted butter
    3 tablespoons, softened
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
    2 tablespoons
  • Honey
    1 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    1 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Smoked paprika
    1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat a clean grill to medium-high heat, about 425–450°F, setting up one cooler area for managing flare-ups.

  2. 2.

    Prepare the seasonal vegetables and herbs: shuck 2 ears Bi-color Corn; halve 6 ounces Organic Sungold Cherry Tomatoes; thinly slice 2 green onions; and chop 1/4 cup basil. Zest and juice 1 medium lemon to obtain 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice.

  3. 3.

    Pat 12 ounces Coho Salmon Fillet dry and coat it with:

    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

    Let the seasoned salmon stand for 10 minutes while making the butter.

  4. 4.

    Make the lemon-basil butter by stirring together:

    • 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
    • 2 tablespoons chopped basil
    • 1 sliced green onion
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

    Set the lemon-basil butter aside at room temperature.

  5. 5.

    Rub the 2 shucked ears of corn with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. Grill the corn for 10–12 minutes, turning every few minutes, until tender and charred in spots.

  6. 6.

    After the corn has grilled for 2 minutes, place the seasoned salmon on the grill skin-side down if skin-on. Close the lid and grill for 6 minutes; carefully turn and cook for 2–4 minutes more, until the thickest part reaches 145°F. Transfer the salmon to a platter and rest for 3 minutes.

  7. 7.

    Cut the kernels from the grilled corn and make the warm corn-tomato salad by tossing them with:

    • 6 ounces halved Sungold tomatoes
    • 1 sliced green onion
    • 2 tablespoons chopped basil
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

    Keep the salad slightly warm for serving.

  8. 8.

    Divide the warm corn-tomato salad between two plates. Add the grilled coho, spoon all the lemon-basil butter over the fish, and serve immediately.

Drink pairing: A lightly oaked Chardonnay complements the rich salmon, sweet corn, and citrusy herb butter.