Oven-Roasted BBQ Salmon

Name: Oven-Roasted BBQ Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 6 oz filets of salmon (boneless and skinless); 2 tbsp oil (olive oil or a neutral oil); 2 tbsp smoked paprika; 2 tbsp packed brown sugar; 1 tbsp ground cumin; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 2 tsp kosher salt

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

The key to this Oven-Roasted Barbecue Salmon is the smokey and sweet spice rub! As it bakes, the spice rub creates a flavorful and slightly-charred crust around the outside of salmon, leaving the inside tender and buttery. Don’t let the simplicity fool you—this recipe may only have a few ingredients, but when they all come together the result is heavenly!

a close up image of BBQ salmon filets coated in spices on a white oval platter.

Apartment-dwellers rejoice, this ones for us! Oven-Roasted Barbecue Salmon has all the smoke, spice and sweetness, you’d expect from salmon that’s cooked over an open flame… no grill required! All you need is your oven and my homemade BBQ spice rub made with smoked paprika, cumin, brown sugar, garlic and onion powder.

As it bakes, the spice rub caramelizes and forms a flavorful crust around the salmon. While the outside becomes slightly blackened and charred the inside stays tender and buttery!

Serve Oven-Roasted BBQ Salmon alongside; Warm Grilled Vegetable Salad with White Beans and Feta, Spring Couscous Salad with Avocado and Fresh Herbs, or Greek Orzo Salad.

Save any leftover salmon for the next day’s Salmon and Rice Salad. As if you’re going to have leftovers…

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this recipe: salmon, (you can use individual filets or one whole large piece), oil, salt, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic and onion powder.

A tray with four raw salmon filets, small individual bowls of; brown sugar, ground cumin, salt, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder.

Recipe Steps:

Step 1. Make the BBQ Spice Rub

To make the spice rub simply whisk all of the ingredients together in a bowl–thats it!

Pro Tip: I typically make a double or even triple batch of the BBQ spice rub, that way I always have some extra on hand. It can be used to season all types of fish or even shrimp and chicken. Store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid for up to three months.

left: barbecue spice ingredients in a white speckled ceramic bowl. right: a salmon filet in a white bowl being coated in BBQ spice mix.

Step 2. Bake & Broil

Brush the salmon filet(s) with a thin layer of oil then coat on all sides with the spice rub. Be generous with it! I like to sprinkle extra on top of each filet to give it a nice caramelized crust. Bake for 12 minutes then pop it under the broiler to give it a nice char.

left: four raw salmon filets coated in BBQ spice on a baking tray. right: four cooked blackened BBQ salmon filets on a baking tray.

Step 3. Serve

Let the salmon rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature. Save any leftover salmon for the next day’s BBQ Salmon Kale Caesar Salad.

Four blackened oven-roasted bbq salmon filets on a parchment lined baking tray.

FAQs and Expert Tips:

How do I know if salmon is done cooking?

To check if the fish is cooked, take a metal skewer, or the tip of a knife and stick it into the thickest part of the fish count to 5 then carefully take the skewer out and hold it against your lip to feel the temperature–if it’s cold the fish is still raw, if it’s warm the fish is cooked to about medium, if it’s hot the fish is well done.

What should I serve with BBQ salmon?

This salmon pairs really well with with fresh Spring/Summer sides like; Warm Grilled Vegetable Salad with White Beans and Feta, Spring Couscous Salad with Avocado and Fresh Herbs, or Greek Orzo Salad. Save any leftover salmon for the next day’s BBQ Salmon Kale Caesar Salad. As if you’re going to have leftovers…

Check out more great recipes:

I love to hear from readers and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest updates!