Flavorful with a kick of sweet and heat, this spicy firecracker salmon is perfect for Valentine’s, date nights or any special day. Totally gluten-free and dairy-free too.
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- What is Firecracker Sauce?
- Is Firecracker Sauce Gluten-Free?
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- How to Make Firecracker Salmon (Step by Step):
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Other Salmon Recipes to Enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Dinner Ideas You’ll Love:
- Spicy Firecracker Salmon (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
What is Firecracker Sauce?
Firecracker sauce tastes just like it sounds – spicy, flavorful with a touch of sweetness.
Basically, it’s an Asian-inspired sauce that is made up of hot sauce, a sweetener such as honey or sugar, soy sauce, garlic and ginger.
Is Firecracker Sauce Gluten-Free?
Since most firecracker sauces use soy sauce as one of the main ingredients, and soy sauce contains gluten, more firecracker sauce recipes are not gluten-free.
However, today we’re making a version that uses gluten-free tamari sauce (a substitute for soy sauce), which means even those on a gluten-free diet can enjoy it!
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for this spicy firecracker salmon recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (you might even have most of them at home!).
- Easy to Make: Preparing the firecracker sauce is just a matter of mixing the ingredients together, after which you marinate the salmon fillets and cook them till ready!
- Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this spicy firecracker salmon recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this firecracker salmon recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Salmon Fillets: I recommend using evenly sized fresh salmon fillets (approximately 8 oz. each) so they all cook evenly and at the same time.
- Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a delicious flavor to the firecracker sauce, so I highly recommend adding it.
- Fresh Ginger: Grated fresh ginger imparts a depth of flavor to the sauce, and goes hand-in-hand with ginger.
- Olive Oil: I recommend using extra virgin olive oil, but if you can also use another vegetable oil (such as canola oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil) if you prefer. You may also use dairy-free butter (vegan butter) if you prefer. Alternatively, you may also use regular melted butter if you prefer.
- Brown Sugar: I used dark brown sugar, but white sugar, light brown sugar or coconut sugar will also work. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
- Paprika/Black Pepper: Adding a bit of ground paprika and ground black pepper amps up the level of spiciness in this firecracker salmon recipe. Alternatively, you can also use red pepper flakes if you like.
- Granulated Garlic: In addition to fresh garlic, granulated garlic adds even more stronger flavor to this recipe.
- Coriander: Ground coriander adds depth of flavor, so make sure to add it in, unless you don’t like coriander at all.
- Tamari Sauce: I used gluten-free tamari sauce (gluten-free soy sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free. Alternatively, you may use coconut aminos if you prefer to make it soy-free too. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular soy sauce instead.
- Hot Sauce: I used gluten-free Frank’s hot sauce (buffalo sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free. Alternatively, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular hot sauce instead.
How to Make Firecracker Salmon (Step by Step):
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to 360F.
2. Prepare Spicy Firecracker Sauce
In a large mixing bowl, combine marinade ingredients – fresh garlic, grated ginger, olive oil, brown sugar, salt, ground paprika, ground black pepper, granulated garlic, ground coriander, tamari sauce, and hot sauce.
Mix well to get a homogeneous mixture.
3. Marinate Salmon
Place salmon fillets in a baking dish and spread with half the amount of sauce.
Cover the baking dish with a plastic wrap and place in the fridge, then allow the salmon to marinate for at least 15 minutes (or longer if you wish).
4. Pan Fry Salmon
Once the salmon is done marinating, spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray.
Heat up the skillet over medium heat and and place the salmon fillets skin side up in the hot skillet, and then cook for 3-5 minutes.
(Note that the salmon will not be fully cooked yet – we’ll finish cooking the salmon in the oven.)
5. Bake Salmon
Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish skin side down and spread the remaining extra sauce over the pieces.
Bake for 12-15 minutes in the preheated oven until the salmon fillets are cooked through.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Serve the salmon hot or warm, with green onions or parsley.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Swap Out Sugar for Honey or Maple Syrup: If you prefer not to use sugar, feel free to swap it out for 3/4 teaspoon honey, maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Use Another Protein: Swap out the salmon fillets for chicken thighs or chicken breasts for firecracker chicken or use shrimp for firecracker shrimp.
- Enjoy This With: Eat this delicious firecracker salmon with white rice, brown rice or coconut rice as an easy weeknight dinner. You can also use cauliflower rice for a low-carb option!
Recipe FAQs:
To store, place the firecracker salmon in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and then store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop before eating.
Other Salmon Recipes to Enjoy:
- Baked Salmon Kabobs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Almond Crusted Salmon (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Air Fryer Frozen Salmon (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Gluten-Free Dinner Ideas You’ll Love:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintSpicy Firecracker Salmon (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Flavorful with a kick of sweet and heat, this spicy firecracker salmon is perfect for Valentine’s, date nights or any special day. Totally gluten-free and dairy-free too.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (8 oz. each)
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/3 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/3 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3 tablespoons gluten-free tamari sauce
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 360F.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh garlic, grated ginger, olive oil, brown sugar, salt, ground paprika, ground black pepper, granulated garlic, ground coriander, tamari sauce, and hot sauce. Mix well to get a homogeneous mixture.
- Marinate Salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish and spread with half the amount of sauce. Cover the baking dish with a plastic wrap and place in the fridge, then allow the salmon to marinate for at least 15 minutes (or longer if you wish).
- Pan-Fry Salmon: Once the salmon is done marinating, spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat up the skillet over medium heat and and place the salmon fillets, skin side up, and then cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Bake Salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish skin side down and spread the remaining sauce over the pieces. Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon is cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the salmon hot or warm, with green onions or parsley.
Notes
Salmon Fillets: I recommend using evenly sized salmon fillets (approximately 8 oz. each) so they all cook evenly and at the same time.
Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a delicious flavor to the firecracker sauce, so I highly recommend adding it.
Fresh Ginger: Grated fresh ginger imparts a depth of flavor to the sauce, and goes hand-in-hand with ginger.
Olive Oil: I recommend using extra virgin olive oil, but if you can also use another vegetable oil (such as canola oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil) if you prefer. You may also use dairy-free butter (vegan butter) if you prefer. Alternatively, you may also use regular melted butter if you prefer.
Brown Sugar: I used dark brown sugar, but light brown sugar or coconut sugar will also work. If you are diabetic or insulin-resistant, I highly recommend using granulated monkfruit sweetener (a 1:1 brown sugar substitute that is zero glycemic index and will not raise your blood sugar).
Paprika/Black Pepper: Adding a bit of ground paprika and ground black pepper amps up the level of spiciness in this firecracker salmon recipe.
Granulated Garlic: In addition to fresh garlic, granulated garlic adds even more stronger flavor to this recipe.
Coriander: Ground coriander adds depth of flavor, so make sure to add it in, unless you don’t like coriander at all.
Tamari Sauce: I used gluten-free tamari sauce (gluten-free soy sauce) to keep this recipe gluten-free. Alternatively, you may use coconut aminos if you prefer to make it soy-free too. If you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular soy sauce instead.
Hot Sauce: I used gluten-free hot sauce to keep this recipe gluten-free. Alternatively, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular hot sauce instead.
Storing: To store, place the firecracker salmon in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and then store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop before eating.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Marinating Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
Grace Lim says
Hello Felicia!
Although the picture of your spicy firecracker salmon looks very spicy but thankfully it is not that bad for chilly lovers.
The ingredients you used in the marination sauce is so good and well-blended to give the salmon pieces such a super flavorful and succulent taste that I really enjoy every bite of the dish.
Thanks again for sharing this wonderful recipe of yours!
Have a blessed day ahead with Love,
Mum
Felicia Lim says
Glad you enjoyed it mummy!