Bang Bang Salmon With Avocado (Printer-Friendly)
Spicy sauced baked salmon paired with cool avocado cucumber salsa for a bold, refreshing dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the 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
→ For the Bang Bang Sauce
05 - 4 tbsp mayonnaise
06 - 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
07 - 1 tbsp Sriracha, adjust to taste
08 - 1 tsp honey
09 - 1 tsp fresh lime juice
→ For the Avocado Cucumber Salsa
10 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
11 - 1 cup cucumber, peeled and 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 Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Rub each fillet evenly with olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper. Arrange on the prepared baking tray.
03 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
04 - While the salmon bakes, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and lime juice in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the heat level to your preference.
05 - Gently toss the diced avocado, cucumber, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
06 - Once the salmon is cooked, drizzle each fillet generously with the Bang Bang Sauce.
07 - Serve the sauced salmon fillets over or alongside the avocado cucumber salsa. Garnish with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between the spicy, creamy sauce and the refreshing salsa is genuinely addictive and makes you feel like you cooked at a restaurant.
- It comes together in under thirty minutes with zero fancy techniques, which means you can pull it off on your most exhausted evening.
02 -
- Do not overcook the salmon because it continues cooking for a minute after you pull it out and dry fish ruins everything this dish has going for it.
- Make the salsa right before serving because avocado browns quickly and the cucumber releases water if it sits too long.
03 -
- Let the salmon rest for two minutes after baking before saucing it so the juices redistribute and do not run all over the plate.
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for one minute and you will wonder why you ever used them raw.