Sugar and Spice Makes Salmon That’s Nice

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Surprise, surprise, it’s another salmon dish! I’m a sucker for a great seafood dish and this Brown Sugar and Chili Rubbed Salmon hits the spot every time. This dish is already a winner in my book but to make it even better it’s accompanied by a delicious and simple avocado salsa. The avocado salsa adds a creamy delight to the sugar and spice. This recipe is perfect for busy work nights. The prep is minimal and the final product is a treat to the tastebuds.

On one of my first attempts at making this dish, I was a little heavy-handed with the chili powder. Okay, I was VERY heavy handed with the chili powder. Truth be told, I wasn’t paying complete attention and added way too much chili without realizing it. The chili overpowered any subtle sweetness the brown sugar had to offer. However, this mistake has sparked my interest in spices.

I have made this salmon several times and tweaked the spice blend here and there just to see how it changes the flavoring of the fish and if my palate could tell the difference. I found in my experimentation that I prefer a kick of spice over the sweet. A touch more chili for the win! This happy accident of mistakenly adding more chili actually made this salmon recipe more delicious than before. I encourage you to try this recipe, but I also encourage you to experiment with the sweet and the spice to find out what you like!

There are so many ways to season and spice up a basic salmon fillet. I have tried many different flavor profiles on this beautiful canvas that is a cut of fish. Brown Sugar and Chili Rubbed Salmon is definitely in my top ten! Don’t worry, more salmon dishes to come!

Brown Sugar and Chili Rubbed Salmon with Avocado Salsa

What you need:

4 salmon fillets
2 TBS olive oil
3.5 TBS brown sugar, packed
2 TBS chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
2 avocados, cubed
4 TBS cilantro, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Juice of 1 lime

Instructions:
Click here to Cook With Me!

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Remove any skin from the fillets, rinse and pat dry.
Brush the salmon with olive oil on all sides.
Combine brown sugar, chili, cumin, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl.
Rub the seasoning into the salmon fillets on all sides.
Place salmon fillets on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until cooked through.
Remove from oven, plate, and enjoy with rice and avocado salsa.

Avocado salsa

Cut and chop avocados, tomatoes, and cilantro.
Combine in a medium sized bowl.
Squeeze lime juice over contents of the bowl and stir.
Serve on top of salmon fillets or as a side salad!

Cook With Me:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Remove any skin from the fillets, rinse and pat dry.
Brush the salmon with olive oil on all sides.
Combine brown sugar, chili, cumin, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Dont be afraid to add a little more spice or sugar!
Rub the seasoning into the salmon fillets on all sides.
Place salmon fillets on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. If you don’t have parchment paper, foil sprayed with PAM does the trick too!
Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until cooked through.
Remove from oven, plate, and enjoy with rice and avocado salsa.