This loaded BBQ salmon is bold, bright, and packed with fresh flavor. Glazed with tangy BBQ sauce and topped with charred corn, creamy avocado, and crisp veggies, it’s a one-pan meal that comes together in 20 minutes. Serve it over greens with a squeeze of lime for a colorful, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Why This Recipe Works
- Sticky-Sweet Salmon Glaze: The BBQ sauce clings to the fish and caramelizes beautifully while baking—giving you that same rich, savory finish found in my World’s Best Champagne Baby Back Ribs.
- Bright, Seasonal Toppings: With charred corn, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, scallions, cilantro, and crumbled cheddar, this salad bursts with freshness—just like the vibrant flavors in my Cilantro & Mandarin Marinated Shrimp Tacos.
- Sheet Pan Simplicity: Everything finishes on one baking sheet, making setup and cleanup a breeze—echoing the effortless magic of their favorite one-pan dinners.
- Casual yet Entertaining: Served family-style, straight from the pan, it strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and impressive—ideal for cozy weeknights or laid-back entertaining.
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Loaded BBQ Salmon
There’s nothing quite like a sheet pan salmon dinner that’s vibrant, fresh, and layered with flavor. This BBQ roasted salmon is rich and tender, perfectly balanced with a sweet and tangy glaze. It’s generously topped with charred corn, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, caramelized pinto beans, and a burst of citrus and herbs. Served over a bed of crisp greens, it’s the kind of effortless meal that feels special—but only takes 20 minutes in the oven.
This dish is equal parts hearty and refreshing, making it a summer staple. With a colorful mix of textures and flavors—cheesy crumbles, crunchy tortilla chips, warm beans, and bright lime—it’s both nourishing and fun to eat. Best of all, it’s easy to adapt for gatherings or simple weeknight dinners.
Equipment
- Sheet pan
- parchment paper
- Grill pan or broiler
- Sharp knife
- Cutting Board
- Mixing bowl
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 two-pound salmon filet bones removed
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- Squeeze of fresh lime juice
- 2 cups char-grilled corn see method below
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 bunch cilantro chopped
- 1 bunch scallions chopped
- 1 cup crumbled aged white cheddar
- 2 ripe avocados diced
- 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup crumbled yellow corn tortilla chips
- 1 cup caramelized pinto beans see below
- Slices of lime for garnish
- 4 –6 cups mixed greens
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the salmon filet on the sheet, making sure all bones have been removed.
- In a bowl, stir together the BBQ sauce, crushed garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Pour half of this mixture over the salmon. Season the filet with cracked black pepper and kosher salt. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- While the salmon is baking, prepare the garnishes. Grill or broil fresh corn on the cob until charred on all sides, then slice the kernels off the cob. Dice the avocados, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the red onion, and chop the scallions and cilantro.
- Once the salmon is done, remove it from the oven. Drizzle with fresh lime juice, then scatter all of the garnishes over the top: charred corn, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, cheddar, avocado, red onion, tortilla chips, and caramelized pinto beans.
- Serve the salmon directly from the pan, over a bed of mixed greens. Garnish with extra lime slices and enjoy immediately.
- To Char Corn:
- Use a grill pan over high heat or place cobs under the broiler, turning frequently until charred. Slice off the kernels to use.
- Caramelized Pinto Beans (loose method):
- In a pan, sauté a drained can of Simple Truth Pinto Beans with a little olive oil, salt, and a touch of maple syrup or brown sugar until caramelized and lightly crisped.