The Unexpected Ingredient Your Salmon Is Missing
This is rhubarb roasted salmon and if you’re sitting there thinking, “Rhubarb… on fish?” I get it. It sounds a little wild at first. But think about how amazing salmon tastes when you pair it with a squeeze of fresh lemon or a sweet glaze. Salmon is a rich, buttery fish, so it naturally craves contrast.
That’s where the rhubarb comes in. Because it has that sharp, natural tang, it cuts right through the richness of the salmon. When you roast it, the sauce caramelizes onto the fish, turning into this sticky, smoky, sweet-and-savory glaze that is out of this world. It’s not just a unique recipe; the flavors genuinely balance each other out perfectly. One bite and you’ll completely get it. If you love this flavor combination and have some chicken in the fridge, you’ve got to try my rhubarb bbq chicken. Or, if you’re just looking for more easy fish dinners, definitely check out my sweet chili salmon .
P.S. If you’re wondering about that creamy side dish in the photo, it’s my viral Southern Coleslaw. It has the perfect crunch and goes beautifully right alongside this flaky salmon!
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
To make this roasted salmon, the ingredient list is incredibly short because my homemade rhubarb bbq sauce does all the heavy lifting.
- Salmon Fillets: You can use individual center-cut fillets or one large side of salmon. Skin-on helps keep it juicy!
- Olive Oil: Just a little bit to coat the fish.
- Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder: A simple base layer of seasoning before the glaze goes on.
- Rhubarb BBQ Sauce: You’ll want about 1 cup of my Homemade Rhubarb Barbecue Sauce. You can grab that full recipe to make it from scratch, or use a batch you’ve already frozen.
How to Roast Rhubarb Salmon
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Season: Pat your salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Rub them with a little olive oil, then season evenly with smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- The First Bake: Roast the salmon in the oven for about 8 to 10 minutes (depending on how thick your fillets are).
- Glaze It: Carefully take the salmon out of the oven and brush a generous amount of the rhubarb bbq sauce all over the tops and sides of the fish.
- Finish: Pop it back in the oven for another 3 to 5 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the glaze is hot, sticky, and slightly caramelized.
Easy Rhubarb Roasted Salmon
Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 Salmon Fillets
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- Salt for taste
- Pepper for taste
- Rhubarb BBQ Sauce *See Rhubarb BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Season the Fish: Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel. Drizzle the tops with the olive oil and rub it in lightly. Evenly sprinkle the kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper over each fillet, pressing the spices gently so they stick.
- The First Bake: Place the seasoned salmon on your prepared baking sheet. Bake in the oven for about 8 to 10 minutes (depending on the thickness of your fillets).
- Glaze it: Carefully remove the salmon from the oven. Brush a generous amount of your homemade [Rhubarb BBQ Sauce] over the top and sides of each fillet.
- Finish and Serve: Return the salmon to the oven for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and that beautiful rhubarb glaze is hot, bubbly, and sticky. Serve immediately!
If you like this amazing rhubarb sauce with salmon save it to your Pinterest Board and let’s be friends on Pinterest I’m always sharing mouth-watering recipes.
You may also like these other recipes:
Crispy Parmesan Lemon and Herb Tuna Fish Cakes
Spicy Tuna Fish Bowl with Sriracha Mayo
Awesome taste.
This has become this years favorite salmon recipe! I always freeze rhubarb (from the yard) and I’ll be able to make this during the winter.
Thank you so much Sharon!
We absolutely loved this sauce! The next night we had some leftover and we had it on pork chops. Also good!!
Thank you so much!
I cannot wait to try this, it sounds absolutely delicious and I LOVE rhubarb! Can you freeze the sauce and use it later?
I hope you enjoy it! Thank you! Unfortunately I haven’t tried freezing the sauce. If you try freezing it please let me know how it goes!
Do you use dry or prepared mustard?
I used prepared mustard.
I love sweet savory dishes, salmon and asparagus. This seems like the perfect combination to me. Although I am trying to follow a mostly plant based diet, I still like to eat fish sometimes 🙂
You will absolutely love this one! I hope you can try it out! thank you Guadalupe!
You had to do it, you know fish was my kryptonite! Lol! 🙂 Rhubarb chili sauce?! Genius! Will definitely give this chili sauce a try! Thanks for sharing this one with us!
I seriously love salmon. I could eat it every day. Thank you! 🙂
My mom always used rhubarb in desserts. I bet it’s wonderful with salmon!
I love salmon and this recipe with a sweet rhubarb and sweet chili sounds delicious. I don’t get to eat it as much because my husband isn’t a big fish fan. I love it and will share this with my neighbor for girls’ night.
It was so good! I can’t wait to make it again. You both will love it! Thanks so much!