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This Juicy and delicious BBQ Salmon recipe is made pan-seared to perfection and made with homemade BBQ sauce. Easy to make and ready in just 25 minutes! The perfect weeknight dinner recipe that everyone will enjoy.

top view bbq salmon with rice
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Nothing beats a sweet and savory meal. This bbq salmon recipe will certainly satisfy your tastebuds. The salmon filets are pan-seared and then cooked in with a homemade bbq sauce. Served over a bed of rice and some freshly chopped pineapple.

Love Salmon?

I make a salmon dish once a week for my family. It is a must because it can get kind of boring always making chicken and beef. My kids love this BBQ salmon (except one kid-hates fish) and you guys will love it too. It is one of my go-to weeknight dinner recipe, easy to make, and takes just under 30 minutes to come together.

If you like to meal prep they will be perfect for you.

Recipe Overview

Skill Level
Beginner
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
top view pan seared salmon over a bed of rice and pineapple chunks

Ingredients you will need

Below is a list and image of the ingredients I used to make this salmon. Full measurements are listed further down below in the recipe card.

Ingredients for bbq salmon.
  • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets: skin on or skinless. You can swap the salmon with another fish or use chicken.
  • Olive oil: or avocado oil
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • Ketchup
  • Honey
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and cayenne pepper
  • To serve: pineapple chunks and cooked rice, and sesame seeds, to garnish

How to make BBQ salmon

  • Make the BBQ Sauce: In a medium mixing bowl, combine all BBQ sauce ingredients and whisk well. Set aside until ready to use.
  • Cook the salmon filets: Heat oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Quickly season the filets with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add them to the hot pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until nicely golden.
pan seared salmon fillet in a pan
  • Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
  • Combine BBQ with salmon: Add the BBQ sauce to the pan, and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes, spooning it all over the salmon.
  • Broil: Next, broil for 2-3 minutes, or until salmon is lightly charred and flaky.
  • Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve over cooked rice with pineapple chunks(highly recommend this combo!), if desired, and enjoy!
bbq sauce being poured over salmon filets

Tips from my kitchen

  • Salmon: use salmon with skin or skinless. You may use any other fish or protein. Consider chicken breast if you don’t like salmon.
  • Get your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce instead of making it from scratch.
  • Pineapple: This is optional, but complements the salmon so well. You may use mango in place of pineapple.
  • Serve over rice, quinoa, pasta, or zoodles.
  • You may also skip the last step of broiling. That only makes it charred and crispy.

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side shot of salmon filet over pineapple and rice
Should I rinse the salmon?

The USDA does not recommend rinsing salmon or any seafood before cooking in order to prevent spreading bacteria. Cooking the meat will kill off any harmful bacteria on it, which is why you don’t need to rinse your salmon.

What is a good side dish with salmon?

Salmon is such a versatile protein and tastes great with many side dishes ranging from veggies, pasta, potatoes, and rice. I paired it with rice, but you may consider the following: garlic roasted potatoes, roasted honey glazed carrots, healthy mashed potatoes, Baked sweet potato wedges.

Do you eat the skin on salmon?

I do not recommend you eat the skin on the salmon. You should still keep the skin on to keep a protective layer between the salmon and grill or pan. Start by cooking the salmon with skin down first.

How to store leftovers?

Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days. You can freeze for up to 2 months.

top  view salmon over rice in a bowl

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5 from 18 votes

BBQ Salmon Recipe

By: Rena
Servings: 4
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
close up bbq chicken over rice with mango salsa
Crispy and moist salmon fillets smothered with homemade BBQ sauce and served over rice and pineapple.

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces salmon fillets, 4, 6 ounce fillets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, to garnish

BBQ SAUCE:

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

OPTIONAL TO SERVE:

  • cooked rice
  • pineapple chunks

Instructions

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine all BBQ sauce ingredients ( 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper) and whisk well. Set aside until ready to use.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Quickly season the 24 ounces salmon fillets with a pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Add them to the hot pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until nicely golden.
    seared salmon filets in a pan.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
  • Add the BBQ sauce to the pan, and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes, spooning it all over the salmon.
    bbq sauce being poured over salmon filets
  • Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until salmon is lightly charred and flaky. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons sesame seeds.
  • Serve over cooked rice with pineapple chunks (highly recommend this combo!), if desired, and enjoy!
    close up bbq chicken over rice with mango salsa

Notes

  • Salmon: Use salmon with skin or skinless. You may use any other fish or protein. Consider chicken breast if you don’t like salmon.
  • I prefer you make your BBQ sauce at home, but ultimately, you may use store-bought.
  • Pineapple: This is optional, but complements the salmon so well. You may use mango in place of pineapple.
  • Serve over rice, quinoa, pasta, or zoodles.
  • Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 35gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 949mgPotassium: 978mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 401IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals!

About Rena Awada

Hi, Iโ€™m Rena! Welcome to my blog. I am here to help you prepare delicious, light, fresh meals that your whole family will love!

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5 from 18 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




11 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Hello “Lovely Rena”.

    Made your totally amazing BBQ Salmon recipe this evening. Enjoyed it over steam brown rice that I had enhanced with half a can of peas and carrots . Put a little tarter sauce over the salmon and a little Chinese Chili Sauce over the rice.

    Made the salmon using one 6 to 7 inch tail piece of Atlantic Salmon that I had luckily purchased at only $6.99 per pound. Other than that, I followed your recipe exactly. My tummy was very happy and said it was the best salmon he ever had !!!! Thanks Rita !!!

  2. 5 stars
    Super tasty, great recipe! My 11 year old nephew made his Salmon fillets and cooked on the BBQ, we loved it!!. Thank you so much!

  3. 5 stars
    Really good. Even some of my kids who arenโ€™t big on salmon or any other fish, went back for 2nds & 3rds! I served w/ a medley of roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots and a side of peas.

  4. 5 stars
    Bbq’d the salmon with the sauce on the top for 2 minutes then turned and sauced the opposite side. Grilled for 3 minutes. Turned over filled and bbq’d for 1 more minute. Wonderful flavor!

    1. 5 stars
      Every one loved it, said keep this one.
      Kids thought it was similar to sweet chilli lime chips, a little bite that leaves you wanting more. I didnโ€™t have apple cider vinegar so I substituted with lemon juice.