Description
Firecracker Salmon is a flavorful, spicy baked salmon dish marinated in a zesty blend of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, chili sauces, and spices. The salmon is pan-seared for a crispy crust and then oven-baked to perfection, resulting in a deliciously tender and mildly spicy protein-packed meal perfect for a quick and healthy dinner.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger (minced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Heinz chili sauce (or Buffalo sauce/hot sauce as substitute)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional, or brown sugar substitute)
- 1 pinch crushed red chili flakes
- 1-2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
Salmon
- 4 skinless salmon fillets
- 1 pinch salt (to season)
- 1 pinch pepper (to season)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (mild, smoky or spicy)
- 1/4 cup chives (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, minced ginger, olive oil, soy sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, crushed red chili flakes, and sriracha until well combined.
- Season and Marinate the Salmon: Season the salmon fillets evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika. Place them in the marinade and turn each fillet to ensure thorough coating. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible, to develop flavor.
- Preheat Oven and Skillet: Preheat your oven to 370°F (190°C). Heat an ovenproof skillet over medium heat and add a small drizzle of oil to the pan.
- Sear the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets skinless side down in the hot skillet. Sear each fillet for 2-3 minutes on both sides without moving them, creating a crisp, flavorful crust. If needed, sear in batches depending on pan size. Transfer the seared fillets onto a plate once done.
- Bake the Salmon: Return all seared salmon fillets to the skillet or transfer them to a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the salmon is cooked to your desired doneness and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Remove salmon from oven and garnish with chopped chives. Serve warm and enjoy this spicy, aromatic firecracker salmon.
Notes
- Marinating the salmon overnight will deepen the flavors, but a minimum 2-hour marinade still yields delicious results.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha and chili flakes according to your heat preference for milder or spicier flavors.
- Searing the salmon before baking helps lock in moisture and adds a nice crust texture.
- Use an ovenproof skillet for easy transfer from stovetop to oven, or use a baking dish if preferred.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
