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This BBQ Salmon is a super easy recipe made with just 4 ingredients and comes together in under 20 minutes! Tender, flaky salmon that’s smoky and sticky with caramelized edges and a touch of sweetness. This BBQ salmon recipe has become my go-to weeknight meal when I want something quick, flavorful, and downright delicious.
When I first made this recipe, I felt like I struck gold. There’s no way something could be this good with so few ingredients, right? Wrong! I took one bite and knew this was going straight on the blog.
No chopping or dicing, minimal ingredients but all of the flavor! No standing over the stove, no complicated glaze, no grill required. Just season, sauce, bake, and eat. It’s giving cookout flavor without having to fire up the charcoal grill.
BBQ Salmon
This easy bbq salmon recipe comes out perfectly every single time! I use a combo of brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, and BBQ sauce to glaze the salmon before baking. The brown sugar helps the salmon caramelize around the edges, the Cajun seasoning adds a little kick, and the BBQ sauce gets sticky and glossy in the oven. Whew. It’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for when you need to get dinner on the table, fast.
If you’re a seafood lover like me, check out my baked lobster tails, shrimp chimichurri, and pan fried crab cakes next!
Ingredients Needed for BBQ Salmon
(full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card)
Salmon fillets: I like using center-cut salmon filets because they cook evenly and stay nice and juicy. You can use skin-on or skinless salmon for this recipe. If using frozen salmon, be sure to thaw first.
Brown sugar adds sweetness and helps the top of the salmon caramelize in the oven. It also balances the smoky, spicy flavors.
Cajun seasoning gives the salmon bold flavor with a little kick with just the right balance of flavors. It already has onion powder, dried herbs, and garlic powder do you don’t need to add anything else. I recommend using my homemade Cajun seasoning but store bought works here too!
BBQ sauce: Use your favorite barbecue sauce. A smoky, sweet, or spicy BBQ sauce all work well here. You can even make your own homemade bbq sauce here too.
How to Make Oven Baked BBQ Salmon
Step 1: Prep the salmon. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a sheet pan or oven-safe skillet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Pat the salmon filets dry with a paper towel, then place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 2: Season the salmon. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil or melted butter. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, and BBQ sauce. Brush each piece of salmon generously.
Step 3: Bake the salmon. Let the salmon cook for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. Broil for about 1-2 minutes, until the sauce on top begins to caramelize. Keep a close eye on it because the sugar can go from caramelized to burnt real quick. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and garnish with fresh herbs or green onions.
What Temperature Should Salmon Be Cooked To?
Salmon is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest part. If you like your salmon a little more tender and moist, you can pull it from the oven when the thickest part reaches internal temperature of 135-140 degrees F. Let it rest for a few minutes to finish cooking to 145 degrees F. The temperature will continue to rise slightly as it sits.
Tips for the Best BBQ Salmon
- Pat the salmon dry first. This helps the seasoning stick and gives the salmon a better texture.
- Don’t overbake it. Now, salmon is my favorite fish, but far too often, people overcook it. Salmon cooks quickly, so check it early. Overcooked salmon can become dry, and we are absolutely not doing dry salmon over here. Don’t be afraid, cooking salmon is easy, just keep an eye on it.
- Broil at the end. This step gives the salmon that sticky, slightly caramelized top that makes it taste like it came off the grill.
- If using a whole salmon filet instead of individual pieces and proceed using the recipe instructions. Use a meat thermometer or instant read thermometer to check for doneness.
Serving Suggestions
I love an easy meal (with minimal clean up) so I like to keep my sides simple, too! Serve with a baked sweet potato or coconut rice and a veggie. For a more Southern-style dinner, go with mac and cheese, roasted green beans, and creamed corn cornbread. Whew. That plate is not playing!
Storing and Reheating
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven at 300°F until heated through, or microwave it in short intervals. Add a little extra BBQ sauce before reheating to keep it moist.
More Delicious Salmon Recipes
Main Course
Salmon New Orleans
Seafood Recipes
Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Seafood Recipes
Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
Main Course
Blackened Baked Salmon
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If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating on the recipe card and comment below! You can also tag @BritneyBreaksBread on Instagram and hashtag #britneybreaksbread so I can celebrate your beautiful creations!
BBQ Salmon
Equipment
- Small Bowl
- Pastry Brush (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Salmon Fillets, (about 4-5 fillets)
- 2 tsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp Cajun Seasoning
- 1/3 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a sheet pan or oven-safe skillet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Pat the salmon filets dry with a paper towel, this allows the glaze to stick and caramelize. Place salmon onto the prepared baking sheet. 2 lbs Salmon Fillets
- Drizzle the salmon with olive oil. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, and BBQ sauce. Brush each piece of salmon generously. 1 tbsp Olive Oil 2 tsp Brown Sugar 2 tsp Cajun Seasoning 1/3 cup BBQ Sauce
- Bake for 8-10 minutes on the middle rack, depending on the thickness of your fillets. Broil for about 1-2 minutes, until the sauce on top begins to caramelize. Keep a close eye on it because the sugar can go from caramelized to burnt quickly. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature is 135-140 degrees F if using a meat thermometer. Let it rest and finish cooking out of the oven to reach an internal temp of 145 degrees F for best results.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and garnish with fresh herbs or green onions.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
