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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.
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
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.
- 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.
- 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!
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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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.
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.
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.
Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days. You can freeze for up to 2 months.
More salmon recipes
- Creamy Salmon Pasta
- Salmon Piccata Recipe
- Lemon Garlic Salmon
- Baked Pesto Salmon
- Salmon Avocado Salad
- Creamy Tuscan Salmon
BBQ Salmon Recipe
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.
- 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.
- 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!
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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 !!!
Thanks Larry. You were very creative! I am so glad you loved it
Used BBQ sauce from store- “Sweet Baby Ray’s- Kickin’Bourbon”. Delicious sauce.
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!
Really good. Even some of my kids who aren’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.
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!
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 didn’t have apple cider vinegar so I substituted with lemon juice.
glad you all loved it
Excellant thank you so much
Love home made BBQ sauce! Yummy
We do too! Thank you!