This easy oven-baked Barbecue Salmon Recipe is less than 5 ingredients and is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It bakes to flaky and tender perfection in only 10 minutes with a BBQ glaze on top.
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If fish is on the menu, then I am one happy guy! This Barbecue Salmon recipe has become my go-to dinner. It is quick, easy, and always a hit with my family. I have cooked salmon in about every way possible over the years, but this simple BBQ Salmon version is one I continue to come back to again and again. The sweet glaze gives incredible flavor, and I love being able to switch it up using whatever sauce I want!
If you love cooking fish, then be sure to try my Pellet Grilled Salmon or Beer Battered Fish for even more delicious options.
Reader Review: "This Salmon is my new favorite meal prep recipe. I make it every week." - Kaitlyn
Why You'll Love BBQ Salmon
- Only 5 ingredients - Only a few pantry ingredients are required for this Barbecue Salmon to come together.
- Big flavor with little effort- The flavor of the BBQ sauce goes perfectly with the flaky fish and requires very little effort.
- Healthy and perfect for a quick weeknight meal - Perfect for when time is short, and you still want a balanced meal.
Equipment
- Olive Oil Sprayer - This sprayer is my favorite kitchen gadget. You will never have to buy non-stick spray again.
- Basting Brush - Perfect for applying that BBQ glaze.
- Parchment Paper - These make clean up a breeze for all your baking needs.
Ingredients
- Salmon: A skin-on fillet is what I used for this BBQ Salmon Recipe.
- Salt and Pepper: To help elevate the flavor of the fish.
- BBQ Sauce: This will be the flavor of your recipe, so use one you like! I used a honey chipotle for my version.
- Butter: Mixed with the BBQ sauce to promote the richness of flavor.
Tim's Tip: Make sure not to overcook during the broil part of this recipe. Remember Salmon cooks quickly.
Recipe Video
How to Make Barbecue Salmon
1.Preheat Oven- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
2.Prepare Salmon - Rinse the Salmon and pat dry with paper towels. Place the fillets on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet.
3. Season Salmon - Lightly spray the salmon with oil to help the seasoning stick. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper, making sure not to over-season in one spot.
4. Make BBQ Glaze - In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and BBQ sauce. Brush a generous layer over the salmon fillets.
5. Bake - Bake for 3 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with more BBQ glaze, then return to the oven for an additional 3 minutes. Glaze one more time.
6. Broil - Switch the oven to broil and cook for 1 -2 minutes, just until the BBQ sauce becomes bubbly and slightly caramelized. Watch carefully so it does not burn.
7. Serve - Remove from the oven and let the Salmon rest for a couple of minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
- Switch up the BBQ sauce - One of the best parts of this recipe is how easy it is to change up the flavor.
- Honey BBQ - brights extra sweetness
- Spicy BBQ - brings some heat
- Garlic BBQ - for some garlic flavor
- Try a different fish - This recipe works perfectly for Salmon, but can also work with trout, cod, or mahi mahi. You would need to adjust cooking time based on the thickness of the fish.
- Add some extra seasoning - Sprinkle the salmon with garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper before adding the BBQ sauce for even more flavor.
Tim's Expert Tips
- Choose a BBQ sauce that you enjoy! The BBQ sauce sets the flavor for the dish, so pick one you love.
- Broiling safety - Make sure to watch closely so as not to let the fish burn.
- Wild-caught salmon - Wild-caught tends to have more nutrients and a richer flavor than farm-raised salmon.
- Don't overcook the Salmon -I like to cook my Salmon recipe to 135°F for the perfect flakiness.
- Baked uncovered - Leaving the salmon uncovered helps the BBQ sauce create the best caramelization for the glaze.
Serving Ideas for BBQ Salmon
- Your favorite garden Salad
- Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Wedges
- Country Style Green Beans
- Sautéed Asparagus
Storage
Refrigeration: Store completely cooled salmon in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Salmon is best when freshly prepared, but both the microwave and even pan-frying work.
FAQs
You can! Not everyone loves it, though, so you can always remove it if you prefer. After the BBQ salmon is plated, I like to return it to the oven for 10-12 minutes. The skin will crisp right up and be devoured at my house.
Atlantic salmon and sockeye salmon work great for this recipe. I do prefer buying "wild-caught" salmon.
Yes! Grill the salmon over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes per side until it flakes easily with a fork.
More Delicious Baked Recipes
What are the "must-haves" on your family menus? Let me know your family's favorite recipes in the comments! I love gathering ideas from fellow cooks!
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Recipe
Barbecue Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Salmon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- ½ cup BBQ Sauce Honey Chipotle
Instructions
- Preheat Oven- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Salmon - Rinse the Salmon and pat dry with paper towels. Place the fillets on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet.
- Season Salmon - Lightly spray the salmon with oil to help the seasoning stick. Sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper, making sure not to over-season in one spot. 2 lbs Salmon 1 tsp salt ½ tsp Pepper
- Make BBQ Glaze - In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter and BBQ sauce. Brush a generous layer over the salmon fillets. 1 tbsp Butter ½ cup BBQ Sauce
- Bake - Bake for 3 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with more BBQ glaze, then return to the oven for an additional 3 minutes. Glaze one more time.
- Broil - Switch the oven to broil and cook for 1 -2 minutes, just until the BBQ sauce becomes bubbly and slightly caramelized. Watch carefully so it does not burn.
- Serve - Remove from the oven and let the Salmon rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Choose a BBQ sauce that you enjoy! The BBQ sauce sets the flavor for the dish, so pick one you love.
- Broiling safety - Make sure to watch closely so as not to let the fish burn.
- Wild-caught salmon - Wild-caught tends to have more nutrients and a richer flavor than farm-raised salmon.
- Don't overcook the Salmon -I like to cook my Salmon recipe to 135°F for the perfect flakiness.
- Baked uncovered - Leaving the salmon uncovered helps the BBQ sauce create the best caramelization for the glaze. Storage
- Refrigeration: Store completely cooled salmon in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheating: Salmon is best when freshly prepared, but both the microwave and even pan-frying work.
Nutrition
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Terri Jl says
what temperature do you bake it? Recipe never said. thanks
CookitwithTim says
Thank you so much for catching that for us. I will go in and fix the recipe now. The temperature for the oven is 425°F. Thanks again!