Bang Bang Salmon With Salsa (Printable)
Spicy baked salmon with creamy bang bang sauce and cool avocado cucumber salsa. A quick, flavorful fusion dish.
# What You Need:
→ For the Salmon
01 - 4 skinless salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
→ For the Bang Bang Sauce
06 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
07 - 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon Sriracha, adjust to taste
09 - 1 tablespoon honey
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
→ For the Avocado Cucumber Salsa
11 - 1 large avocado, diced
12 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
13 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
14 - 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Juice of 1 lime
17 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ For Serving
18 - Steamed rice, quinoa, or lettuce wraps, optional
19 - Lime wedges
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush each fillet with olive oil, then season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
04 - While the salmon bakes, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
05 - In a medium bowl, gently toss together the diced avocado, cucumber, red onion, minced jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Remove the salmon from the oven. Generously drizzle each fillet with the bang bang sauce.
07 - Spoon the avocado cucumber salsa over or alongside each salmon fillet. Serve immediately with steamed rice, quinoa, or lettuce wraps, and garnish with lime wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy, spicy sauce contrasts beautifully with the cool salsa, creating a bite that hits every flavor note you crave.
- It looks impressive enough for guests but comes together in thirty minutes flat, which makes it your new secret weapon for busy evenings.
02 -
- Overbaking salmon even by two minutes turns it from silky to dry, so set a timer and check early rather than late.
- Making the salsa too far ahead causes the avocado to brown and the cucumber to weep liquid, so prepare it while the fish bakes for the freshest result.
03 -
- Take your salmon out of the fridge fifteen minutes before baking so it cooks more evenly from edge to center.
- A squeeze of extra lime juice over the finished plate right before serving wakes up every flavor on the dish.