Tandoori Salmon is one of our family's favorite weeknight meals. It's quick, easy, and bursting with flavor. The Indian spices pair so perfectly with the bold taste of the salmon that you'll fall in love with this dish!

tandoori salmon served over turmeric cauliflower rice

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This recipe originally published in Jan 2016 is updated with tips and new photos.

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Best way to enjoy Salmon
What is Tandoori
Tips for buying Salmon
Tips for Best Tandoori Salmon
How to make Tandoori Salmon
How to Serve Tandoori Salmon
More Salmon Recipes
Recipe

Best way to enjoy Salmon

I have been cooking salmon once a week for my family for many years. One day I decided to change up my usual salmon marinate and make it tandoori style knowing how much my boys love the tandoori chicken. It was an instant hit and has been on repeat since for our weeknight meals as well as family gathering. Cut it up into smaller cubes or cook it on skewers for a fun party appetizer.

What is Tandoori

Tandoori cooking is believed to have originated in Persia. A tandoor is a clay oven used to slowly cook the meats over an intense charcoal fire. Tandoori marinades usually start with yogurt and include spices like ginger, garlic, coriander, cayenne pepper, and garam masala. Although I do not own a tandoor, I love that I can easily bake, broil grill, or air fry this dish with its incredible taste and flavors in a fraction of the time.

Tips for buying Salmon

The best salmon to use is wild Pacific salmon if you can find it.
The best place to buy salmon is at a fish market. I also like the wild salmon fillet from Costco. You can also buy frozen salmon, but try to buy wild-caught. If using frozen salmon, make sure to defrost it overnight in the refrigerator before marinating.

Tips for Best Tandoori Salmon

Pat dry the salmon before marinating to avoid excess liquids
Salmon can be skinless or with skin on
Use fresh garam masala. Homemade garam masala works the best
Marinate the salmon for at least 20 minutes

How to make Tandoori Salmon

Here are my step-by-step instructions with photos to show you each step. All of the steps and the ingredients are in the printable recipe card just a little further down in this post.

Wash, pat dry salmon with a paper towel, and cut into 3 or 6 pieces.

Make the marinade by mixing ginger, garlic, garam masala, red chili powder, turmeric, lemon juice, salt, and oil. This will be a thick paste-like consistency. Add salmon and evenly apply spice paste on both sides. Tip - use a small silicone spatula to evenly spread the marinade.

Line a baking tray with aluminum foil or parchment paper. If using aluminum foil grease the foil with cooking spray. Arrange marinated salmon on the baking tray.

Broil on high setting for 10 mins until salmon starts to brown on the top. Depending on the thickness of the salmon steak you may need to cook it a little longer. Use a small handheld thermometer to make sure that the thickest piece reaches the temperature of 145 deg F.

How to Serve Tandoori Salmon

Are you looking for recipes to complete the meal? For a salad, this tangy flavor bomb spicy cabbage salad is perfect with the salmon.

If you are going to serve rice, make this Instant Pot cumin rice. It has a nutty aroma from the cumin seeds with the mellow spice of cloves and cardamom.

All of the complex flavors of the meal are enhanced and come together perfectly when you serve a fresh cup of chilled pomegranate juice.

For a lighter meal or as an appetizer serve it hot on a bed of green cabbage, peppers, and red onions with lime wedges. I also like to serve salmon with lemon cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal.

Tandoori salmon served with cauliflower rice and smashed potatoes

More Salmon Recipes

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Recipe

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4.74 from 46 votes

Tandoori Salmon

Salmon marinated in a spicy, warm tandoori marinade and cooked to perfection for a flavorful weeknight meal!

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Entree

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 3

Calories: 280kcal

Author: Archana Mundhe

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound wild salmon fillet boneless **
▢ 2 teaspoons ginger paste paste
▢ 2 teaspoons garlic paste paste
▢ 1 teaspoon garam masala
▢ 1 tablespoon kashmiri red chili powder **
▢ ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
▢ 1 tablespoon oil
▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Wash and pat dry salmon with paper towel and cut into 3 or 6 pieces.
In a medium bowl mix ginger, garlic, garam masala, red chili powder, turmeric, lemon juice, oil and salt. Add salmon and coat with spice paste evenly on both sides using a small silicone spatula. You can allow this to marinate for 20 mins or cook right away if you are short on time.

Oven Recipe:

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and arrange salmon on it. Broil on high for 8 to 10 minuets or until salmon starts to brown on the top and flakes easily with a fork. Depending on the thickness of the salmon adjust the cooking time.

Air Fryer Recipe:

Preheat the Airfryer at 400 F for 5 mins. Air Fry at 380 for 8 to 10 minutes. If you have cut salmon into smaller pieces it will cook in just 5 minutes.
Serve with cumin rice and a side of spicy cabbage salad. For a low carb meal, serve it with caulilfower rice.

Video

Notes

The best place to buy salmon is at a fish market. I also like the wild salmon fillet from Costco. You can also buy frozen salmon but try to buy wild-caught. If using frozen salmon, make sure to defrost it overnight in the refrigerator before marinating.
Pat dry the salmon before marinating to avoid extra liquids.
Marinate the salmon for at least 20 minutes.
You can use salmon skinless or with skin on.
Use fresh garam masala. Homemade garam masala works the best.
Kashmiri red chili powder is a mild chili powder. If using spicier red chili powder, reduce the quantity to ½ or 1 teaspoon.

Nutrition

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Comments

4.74 from 46 votes (43 ratings without comment)