Garlic Salmon

This is the best spicy salmon recipe to hit the internet, hands down. A simple but tasty, gluten-free and keto-friendly, baked Garlic Salmon filet recipe that can be cooked within minutes in an oven or a grill. This easy salmon recipe pairs well with a honey dressing slaw salad or white rice. Invented by my husband, but tested + approved by many Curry Mommy followers!

Garlic and Chili Pepper Salmon

Jump to Recipe

Calling all chili and garlic lovers!

This healthy spicy baked salmon recipe is about to knock you out of this world! I love cooking it in the oven all year long, but grilling it is also a great option.

How did this recipe come about?

Honestly, this easy salmon recipe my husband’s take on grilling. So I can’t take credit for it. He also never cooks, so I have to give credit when due! He puts the salmon on top of foil with the skin down and grills it perfectly (with my help of course-haha). “Does it look done? Should I take it out now?” It’s a good thing he was creative with the idea because everything else stops there… #realtalk

What kind of salmon is best tasting?

I personally love Atlantic Salmon, but any thick cut salmon with the skin can be great for this Chili Garlic Salmon Recipe. Atlantic Salmon has a subtle fish taste that is not over powering, in my opinion. Other popular variations of commercially available salmon include Coho Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, and Copper River Salmon. Not all variations are available 12 months out of the year, but sustainable fish purchases are highly encouraged.

What are some baked salmon seasoning recipes?

A little goes a long way when it comes to salmon. Simple seasonings work well with a fish that is already packed with so much natural flavor. I recommend using subtle herbs such as rosemary, dill, and fresh thyme. In addition to that, coarse ground black pepper and coarse salt pair really well with the fish.

Quick weeknight salmon recipe

I can’t stress how easy this Chili Garlic Salmon recipe is. The hardest part is slicing the peppers and garlic, Dinner can be ready in under 30 minutes with this tasty salmon recipe.

What are some tips for cooking salmon fillets?

I recommend baking salmon with the skin side down on a baking rack like this one. Alternatively, grilling is also a great option. Although a pre-soaked cedar plank would be a great option, there is no need to go out and buy one just for this. We place the salmon a piece of oiled foil wrap and grill with a closed lid at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes.

What is the white stuff on top of my cooked salmon?

The white stuff on salmon is called albumin, which is a protein found in fish oil. Once it is cooked it solidifies into an egg white type of texture. So can you eat the white stuff on top of salmon? Of course you can! In some cases, it might look unappetizing, but think if you think of it as egg whites and healthy protein then it becomes more digestable-right? In my experience, the albumin is more present with wild caught salmon or when salmon has been overcooked by even 1-3 minutes.

Does salmon have a fishy taste?

This depends on what you consider fishy, but in most cases this fish definitely tastes more distinct in flavor versus a white flaky fish (or even shrimp for that matter). My tip to assure the fish taste remains minimal is to cook it as fresh as possible and not let it sit in the refrigerate past the suggested date.

How do you know when salmon is cooked?

Cooking time is everything when it comes to delicately cooked salmon. Baked Salmon cooks really well and I highly recommend it for any beginner and non-beginners. Simply because it is easy to do and the end result is tasty! I recommend cooking at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes.

Is it better to bake or broil salmon?

If you prefer salmon tender with no crisp then oven baked salmon it is the way to go. If you want even a little bit of crisp to your salmon, then broiling can work well. Crispy salmon skin is very flavorful and if you love it just as much as we do, then you can definitely broil salmon filets with the skin side up, on high, and two shelves down from the top of the oven. However, for this Baked Chili Garlic Salmon Recipe I recommend baking with the skin side down to get the chili peppers, garlic, and salmon to cook softly.

Can I bake this Chili Garlic Salmon Recipe wrapped in foil?

I don’t recommend wrapping it fully in foil paper. Personally, when the salmon is fully wrapped I find the juices do not escape giving the salmon a more pungent fishy taste. You know what I mean, right?

Key ingredients for my Spicy Baked Salmon Recipe.

The kosher salt and fresh ground pepper compliment the fish really well. I highly recommend waiting to make this recipe until you have both ingredients in hand.

Give it a try and let me know how you like it!

Tips

1. Unless you prefer raw garlic and chili peppers, be sure to cut the ingredients super thin. This might be the hardest part about this recipe.
2. I prefer BBQ Cut Norwegian Farmed Atlantic Salmon. You can purchase it at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, etc. It is usually a thicker cut and bakes/grills well leaving the inside moist.
3. Feel free to use your favorite type of chili peppers for this recipe 🙂

Recipe

FUN FACT: Contrary to the name, Atlantic salmon does not come from only the Atlantic. It is instead a type of salmon :).

Below is an example of Atlantic Salmon that is not in a BBQ Cut and slightly overcooked (determined by looking at the amount of albumin).

HAPPY EATING, FOLKS!