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Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa Recipe

If you’re craving something that’s delightfully creamy, sweet, and just packed with flavor, you’ve got to try this Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa Recipe. I absolutely love how the spicy-sweet bang bang sauce perfectly complements the rich salmon, while the fresh avocado cucumber salsa adds a cool crunch that balances everything beautifully. Stick around—I’ll walk you through this simple recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights but tastes like a treat.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: Ready in just about 20 minutes, it’s perfect for weeknights when you want something flavorful without fuss.
  • Flavor Explosion: The creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce makes every bite interesting and addictive.
  • Fresh and Healthy: Paired with avocado cucumber salsa, you get a refreshing contrast plus wholesome veggies.
  • Versatile Serving: Goes great over rice or with your favorite veggie side, making it easy to customize.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa Recipe plays a role in balancing richness and freshness. When shopping, look for a fresh salmon filet with bright color and firm texture—and don’t skip on creamy ripe avocados for that salsa!

  • Salmon filet: I find wild-caught salmon offers the best flavor, but farmed works well too—just pat it dry before seasoning.
  • All-purpose seasoning mix: This adds a savory base layer; you can use store-bought or whip up a homemade mix with your favorite spices.
  • Mayonnaise: Provides creaminess to the bang bang sauce, making it rich and smooth.
  • Sweet chili sauce: Gives just the right amount of sweetness and a mild spicy kick that complements the salmon.
  • Garlic: Freshly grated garlic amps up the flavor without overpowering.
  • Soy sauce: Adds umami depth and saltiness to the sauce.
  • Chili crisp: This is my secret weapon topping—crispy, spicy, and textural fun that really takes the dish up a notch.
  • Cooked rice: A simple, fluffy base to soak up all the delicious sauce.
  • Avocado cucumber salsa: Creamy avocado and crisp cucumber lighten things up and add a refreshing finish. (I’ll share my salsa recipe below!)
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love mixing this recipe up depending on my mood or what’s in season. Don’t hesitate to tweak it—you’ll discover delicious twists along the way!

  • Spicy Upgrade: If you like it hotter, swap sweet chili sauce for a spicy chili garlic sauce or add extra chili crisp on top.
  • Vegetable Swap: Sometimes I substitute the avocado cucumber salsa with mango salsa or even a quick pickled slaw for tang.
  • Low-carb option: Serve the Bang Bang Salmon over cauliflower rice or leafy greens instead of traditional rice.
  • Gluten-free modifier: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free without sacrificing that savory depth.

How to Make Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Salmon with Love

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. I like to portion the salmon into individual servings if it’s one large filet—that way, it cooks evenly and looks great on the plate. Pat the fish dry with paper towels; this extra step helps the seasoning stick and promotes that lovely caramelization later. Then, coat each piece generously with your all-purpose seasoning mix—don’t be shy! Lay them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet so clean-up is a breeze.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Bang Bang Sauce

In a small bowl, combine the mayo, sweet chili sauce, freshly grated garlic, and soy sauce. I always set about half of this sauce aside—you’ll use that fresh sauce to drizzle over the salmon after baking, which keeps that creamy flavor punch vibrant. The other half gets spread directly on top before the salmon goes into the oven.

Step 3: Bake and Broil to Perfection

Slather a small spoonful of the bang bang sauce on each salmon piece right before baking. Pop your tray into the oven, positioning it toward the top rack. Bake for about 10 minutes until the salmon is cooked through but still juicy. Then, flip on the broiler for an extra 2-3 minutes—the magic step! Your salmon should get a beautiful golden brown, slightly caramelized top that’s irresistible. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

Step 4: Serve with Fresh Salsa and Extra Sauce

Serve your bang bang salmon over a bed of steamed rice with a generous scoop of avocado cucumber salsa on the side. Drizzle the reserved bang bang sauce and a sprinkle of chili crisp on top for that perfect finish. Trust me, this combo is a total crowd-pleaser!

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Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa Recipe

  • Dry the Salmon Thoroughly: Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning stick and promotes caramelization instead of steaming.
  • Watch the Broiler Closely: Broiling brings that irresistible golden crust, but it can burn fast—stay attentive for perfect results.
  • Reserve Half the Sauce: Adding fresh sauce at the end keeps flavors bright and prevents the mayo from drying out during baking.
  • Use Parchment Paper: This simple step makes cleanup so much easier and helps prevent sticking or overcooking edges.

How to Serve Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa Recipe

The image shows two cooked salmon fillets lying side by side on a baking tray lined with light brown parchment paper. Each fillet has a crispy, golden-brown surface with darker caramelized spots, giving a slightly textured look. The salmon pieces are thick and rectangular, their sides showing a lighter, soft pink color. The baking tray has a slightly worn metal texture and rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For garnishes, I always reach for extra chili crisp because the crunch and heat are fantastic contrasts to the creamy sauce and soft salmon. A sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro or green onions adds a pop of green and freshness that brightens the whole dish.

Side Dishes

I love serving this salmon with fluffy jasmine or basmati rice to soak up every bit of sauce. Steamed or roasted veggies like asparagus, snap peas, or even a crisp Asian slaw pair beautifully. For a lighter option, try a simple leafy green salad dressed with lime and sesame oil.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I layered this salmon and avocado cucumber salsa over sushi rice in a bowl, drizzling some extra bang bang sauce and topping it with sliced radishes and sesame seeds—super cute and festive for dinner parties. You can also stuff the salmon and salsa into lettuce cups for a fun finger food twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover bang bang salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The salmon stays moist, especially with a little sauce left on. Keep the avocado cucumber salsa separate if possible to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

While baked salmon can be frozen, I don’t recommend freezing the avocado cucumber salsa—it loses its fresh texture when thawed. The salmon’s best frozen without sauce and then reheated gently to maintain its tender flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm the salmon gently in a low oven or microwave in short bursts to avoid drying out. Freshly add the reserved bang bang sauce and fresh salsa to keep that lively flavor intact.

FAQs

  1. Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

    Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the salmon completely and pat it dry before seasoning and baking. This helps it cook evenly and prevents sogginess.

  2. What if I don’t have sweet chili sauce on hand?

    If you don’t have sweet chili sauce, you can mix a little honey or maple syrup with sriracha or chili garlic sauce to mimic the sweet-spicy flavor. Adjust to taste!

  3. Is this recipe spicy?

    It has a gentle kick thanks to the sweet chili sauce and chili crisp topping, but it’s not overwhelmingly spicy. You can always adjust the heat by adding more or less chili crisp.

  4. How do I make the avocado cucumber salsa?

    Dice ripe avocado and crisp cucumber, then toss with a squeeze of lime juice, a pinch of salt, and chopped cilantro or green onion. It’s fresh and creamy—perfect alongside the salmon.

Final Thoughts

This Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa Recipe has become a quick go-to for me whenever I want something that feels special without complicated steps. Every bite has that perfect balance of creamy, spicy, sweet, and fresh that keeps me coming back. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making—and eating—it just as much as I do. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share with those friends or family who deserve a delicious, fuss-free meal!

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Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 110 reviews
  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 12 min
  • Total Time: 22 min
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa is a flavorful and easy weeknight meal featuring tender salmon coated in a spicy, sweet, and creamy bang bang sauce. The salmon is oven-baked and broiled to achieve a caramelized top, served over steamed rice with a fresh avocado cucumber salsa to add a crisp, refreshing contrast. This dish delivers a perfect balance of creamy, savory, and punchy flavors in just about 22 minutes.


Ingredients

Salmon and Seasoning

  • 1 1/2 pounds salmon filet
  • 1-2 tablespoons all-purpose seasoning mix (see notes for homemade option)

Bang Bang Sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce

Toppings and Sides

  • Chili crisp for topping
  • Cooked rice, for serving
  • Avocado cucumber salsa (see notes)


Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Salmon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). If desired, cut the salmon filet into individual portions. Pat the salmon dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the seasoning sticks well.
  2. Season Salmon: Evenly coat the salmon pieces with the all-purpose seasoning mix, making sure every piece is well seasoned. Arrange the salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
  3. Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayo, sweet chili sauce, grated garlic, and soy sauce. Stir well until smooth. Set half of this mixture aside to serve later with the cooked salmon.
  4. Apply Sauce and Bake: Spread a small spoonful of the bang bang sauce over each seasoned salmon portion. Place the baking sheet towards the top rack of the oven and bake for 10 minutes to cook through.
  5. Broil for Caramelization: After baking, switch your oven to broil. Broil the salmon for 2-3 minutes to get a golden brown, caramelized top—watch closely to prevent burning.
  6. Serve: Serve the bang bang salmon over a bed of cooked rice, topped with the reserved bang bang sauce and a drizzle of chili crisp. Add a fresh avocado cucumber salsa on the side for a vibrant vegetable complement.

Notes

  • For the all-purpose seasoning mix, you can use a mix of garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder if you want homemade.
  • The avocado cucumber salsa adds a cool, fresh contrast and balances the spicy kick of the bang bang sauce perfectly.
  • This recipe is perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet wholesome.
  • Ensure not to overcook the salmon to keep it moist and tender inside.
  • Adjust the amount of chili crisp according to your spice tolerance for the perfect heat level.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 476
  • Sugar: 6.8 g
  • Sodium: 693.2 mg
  • Fat: 23.7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: estimated 19.8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26.6 g
  • Fiber: 2.9 g
  • Protein: 40.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 92.7 mg

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