Firecracker salmon is baked in the oven with the most flavorful sweet and spicy sauce you'll ever eat! This sauce can also be used on top of chicken. It can also be made on an outdoor griddle such as a Blackstone!
Sorry, it's been a while since I've posted anything. Last week was super busy for me. I had a great time at the Bacon and Beer Festival on Saturday. I was there selling my cookbook with my friend who happened to win second place in a bacon-eating contest. It was also a good time and there was many great samples to try there. My favorite was the maple-bacon sausage with blueberry in it.
If you like salmon recipes try Tiktok Salmon Rice Bowls, Air Fryer Salmon, or Blackstone Salmon with Mango Salsa.
Jump to:
Why You Will LIke This Recipe
This simple recipe allows the natural flavors of the salmon to shine through, complemented by the smoky, grilled taste from the Blackstone griddle.
Whether it's a casual weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this salmon dish is sure to impress. Enjoy it with your favorite sides, like grilled vegetables or a fresh salad, for a complete meal.
Ingredients Needed
- Salmon is a delicious and nutritious fish that is enjoyed by many people around the world. While there are many ways to prepare salmon, some methods are better than others when it comes to taste and nutrition. I picked up some salmon at Aldi.
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley or chopped scallions (optional)
- Frank's RedHot Sauce is a popular brand of hot sauce that has been around since 1920. Made from a blend of aged cayenne peppers, distilled vinegar, water, salt, and garlic powder, Frank's Hot Sauce is known for its tangy and slightly sweet flavor.
- Brown sugar - This is made by combining granulated white sugar with molasses, which gives it a brown color and a slightly different taste than regular white sugar.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Red pepper flakes - are small pieces of dried hot peppers, typically made from cayenne, that are crushed or ground into small flakes.
- Minced garlic - Chopped fresh garlic can take some time to chop so I often always use the freshly minced garlic that comes already made in a jar.
- Onion powder - is dehydrated, ground onion that is commonly used as a seasoning. Some people do not like the taste of freshly chopped onion so onion powder is a great substitute if you have a picky eater like that in your house.
- See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make Firecracker Salmon
Step 1: Preparation: Begin by preheating your Blackstone griddle to a medium-high heat, around 350°F to 400°F. While the griddle is heating, pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for getting that beautiful, crispy sear.
Step 2: In a saucepan, combine the ingredients for the firecracker sauce over medium low heat. Let the sauce come to a simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Check the sauce every 2 or 3 minutes so that it doesn't burn and stir it.
Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool for 3-5 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it cools so don't worry if it looks a little thin.
Step 3: While the sauce is simmering, place the salmon filet in a piece of foil (can also use parchment paper) large enough to fold over and seal. Place the salmon with foil on a baking tray. Season the salmon filet with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Using a brush or spoon, brush the salmon with the firecracker sauce.
Cooking the Salmon: Once your griddle is up to temperature, brush it with olive oil to prevent the salmon from sticking. Carefully place the salmon fillets on the griddle, skin side down if they have skin. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until you notice that the cooked portion is more than halfway up the sides. This is a good indication that it's time to flip. Flip the fillets gently and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes on the other side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F and the salmon is opaque and flaky.
How do I store leftovers?
Always store leftovers in clean, food-grade containers. The type of container doesn’t really matter. Use zip lock, glass, plastic, whatever! Make sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container.
How do I know when the salmon is ready?
Knowing when salmon is cooked perfectly can be a bit tricky, but there are a few easy ways to determine whether it's ready to eat. The most reliable method is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The FDA recommends that salmon be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F (or 63°C) in the thickest part of the fish.
No Thermometer?
The flesh should be opaque and flaky, and it should easily separate from the skin. If you're grilling or broiling the salmon, you can also check the color of the flesh. When it's cooked, the flesh should be a pinkish-white color, and the skin should be crispy and charred.
Other Recipes to Try
Thai Quinoa and Salmon Meal Prep
Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus and Potatoes
Garlic Butter Salmon with Green Beans
Browned Butter and Lime Salmon
If you tried this Firecracker Salmon orany other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Recipes Diaries.
Firecracker Salmon
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 14 min
- Total Time: 24 min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Firecracker salmon is cooked on a Blackstone with the most flavorful sweet and spicy sauce you'll ever eat! This sauce can also be used on top of chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pound salmon
- ¼ teaspoon salt + ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or chopped scallions (optional)
- FIRECRACKER SAUCE:
- ¼ cup hot sauce such as Franks
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- In a saucepan, combine the ingredients for the firecracker sauce over medium low heat. Let the sauce come to a simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Check the sauce every 2 or 3 minutes so that it doesn't burn and stir it.
- Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool for 3-5 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it cools so don't worry if it looks a little thin.
- While the sauce is simmering, place the salmon filet in a piece of foil large enough to fold over and seal.
- Place the salmon with foil on a baking tray. Season the salmon filet with salt and pepper.
- Using a brush or spoon, brush the salmon with the firecracker sauce. Cover with foil so that all sides are properly closed so the saucee does not leak.
- Cooking the Salmon: Once your griddle is up to temperature, brush it with olive oil to prevent the salmon from sticking. Carefully place the salmon fillets on the griddle, skin side down if they have skin. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until you notice that the cooked portion is more than halfway up the sides. This is a good indication that it's time to flip. Flip the fillets gently and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes on the other side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F and the salmon is opaque and flaky.
Notes
WW Points: 5 ¼ of the salmon
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 239
- Sugar: 27
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 31
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 27
Recipe adapted from Little Spice Jar
Ldom says
Delicious!!
I made the firecracker sauce but cooked 3 portions of salmon on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet. It was fantastic and was requested multiple times since!!
jessica says
LOVED this dish, as did my family that I had over for dinner. So tasty and the perfect amount of spice. Thank you. 🙂
Adam says
Good job on this spicy salmon, I'm going to do an inspired by recipe. Our blog is healthyThairecipes.com. I go through a lot of recipes before getting ideas I actually feel moved to do. What is firecracker sauce?
Andrea says
So.. call for parsley but picture it with chives? Lol.
Jenna says
Any kind will work. I've used Franks before and that was good.
Lisa Sturtevant says
Hi! What kind of hot sauce?