Baked Bourbon BBQ Salmon

baked bbq salmon on a white plate with broccoli.

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This Oven-Baked Bourbon BBQ Salmon recipe is sweet, smoky, and full of rich, bold flavor. Marinated in a simple bourbon marinade, brushed with BBQ sauce, and baked to tender flaky perfection, it's an easy weeknight dinner or effortless weekend entertaining.

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 447kcal

Author: Cara Lanz

Ingredients

Bourbon Marinade for Salmon

2 tablespoons bourbon
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground ginger

Baked BBQ Salmon

2 6-8 oz. salmon filets, skin removed
¼ cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

Place all marinade ingredients into a large ziptop bag. Squish the bag around with your hands until combined. Pat salmon dry and add them to the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 15-60 minutes (no longer).
Preheat the oven to 425. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Remove salmon filets from the marinade and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Discard the marinade. Brush the tops of the filets with BBQ sauce.
Bake for 8 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes until cooked through and flaky. It should reach an internal temperature of 135 on a digital meat thermometer. Let it rest 5-10 minutes to allow carryover heat to fully cook it to 145.

Notes

Use apple juice, white grape juice, or chicken broth instead of bourbon for a non-alcoholic marinade.
In a hurry? Skip the marinade, season the salmon with salt and pepper, brush on the BBQ sauce, and bake.
Watch the salmon closely while it's broiling so it doesn't burn.
Do not use parchment paper under the broiler.
Instead of store-bought, make a small batch of sweet and tangy no-cook homemade BBQ sauce (adjust to taste):
- 2 T ketchup
- 1 T brown sugar
- ½ T each molasses and apple cider vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon each Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ t paprika
- 1 dash each garlic powder and black pepper

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