Bang Bang Salmon With Salsa (Printable version)
Spicy glazed salmon paired with cool avocado-cucumber salsa for a quick, vibrant dinner.
# What you need:
→ Salmon
01 - 4 salmon fillets, about 5 oz each
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Bang Bang Sauce
05 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
06 - 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
07 - 1 tbsp Sriracha, adjust to taste
08 - 1 tsp honey
09 - 1 tsp fresh lime juice
→ Avocado Cucumber Salsa
10 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
11 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
12 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
13 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
14 - 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
15 - 1/4 tsp kosher salt
16 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnish
17 - Sliced green onions
18 - Toasted sesame seeds
19 - Lime wedges
# How To:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Rub each fillet with olive oil, then season evenly with salt and black pepper. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the heat level to your preference.
04 - In a medium bowl, gently toss the diced avocado, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper until combined. Be careful not to mash the avocado. Set aside.
05 - Bake the salmon for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Drizzle the cooked salmon fillets generously with Bang Bang Sauce. Serve alongside the avocado cucumber salsa. Garnish with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy, fiery Bang Bang sauce tastes like something from a restaurant but comes together with pantry staples in under a minute.
- That cool avocado cucumber salsa balances every bit of heat, making each bite feel complete without any extra sides.
02 -
- Overcooking salmon by even two minutes turns it dry and chalky, so pull it from the oven when the center still has a faint translucence.
- Tossing the salsa too early makes the avocado brown and watery, so always assemble it right before serving.
03 -
- Let the salmon rest for two minutes after baking before saucing it so the juices redistribute and every bite stays moist.
- Taste the Bang Bang Sauce on a plain cracker before drizzling it over the fish to check the heat level and adjust without guessing.