Barbecue Salmon Tacos Recipe
This barbecue salmon taco recipe is perfect for taco Tuesday! The dry rub flavor combination of ground coffee, brown sugar, cumin and chili powder makes these salmon tacos unforgettable. Perfect for outdoor summer cooking!
Tacos have long been a favorite food of mine, starting with the basic crispy beef tacos served in the school cafeteria, and the weekly taco nights I enjoyed with a neighborhood friend. There was something really special about that combination of ground beef, lettuce, cheese and mild chunky salsa.
But as I’ve gotten older, my taco preferences have expanded quite a bit! I learned about the magic of Mexican street tacos, little doughy flour tortillas filled with things like spicy chorizo and potatoes, crispy chunks of marinated pork, and a personal favorite - lengua (i.e. beef tongue) - all garnished with chunks of white onion, cilantro, and freshly made salsa and hot sauces. I also have discovered how tacos are a great vehicle for experimenting with different flavors, like with these barbecue salmon tacos with cucumber and avocado salsa.
My taco formula? Flavorful protein + yummy sauce + shredded cabbage for crunch!
Fish is one of my favorite flavorful proteins for tacos, especially fried fish. But considering the ventilation at my house is…not great, it’s one that I reserve for going out to eat. Instead, I love to make tacos with grilled fish, specifically grilled salmon. The barbecue salmon in these tacos takes such little time to cook, doesn’t stink up the house, and adds smoky, charred flavor! For tacos, I love to use salmon because it has so much more flavor than other types of fish, and really stands up well to grilling with its higher fat content.
Plus, the flavor of the dry rub in this barbecue salmon tacos recipe is truly like no other! Made with a simple mix of chili powder, cumin, brown sugar and a surprise ingredient - ground coffee - it adds smoky, spicy and complex flavor.
Tips For Grilling Salmon for This Barbecue Salmon Tacos Recipe
Using a grill may be intimidating for those who have never tried before but with these tips, your grilled salmon should turn out great! Salmon is a perfect protein to begin with when trying to grill because it’s pretty forgiving if you under or overcook it a bit.
The first trick for grilling the salmon for these barbecue salmon tacos is to preheat the grill to medium-high heat, or 400 to 450°F. Having the grill hot before cooking the salmon, or any food, is a vital step to make sure the salmon doesn’t get stuck on the grates. You’ll also want to make sure the grates are oiled too! Another trick for preventing sticking is to place the salmon skin-side down on the grill. Grilling with the skin-side down ensures the fish won’t fall apart or stick to the grates.
My last tip for you is a way to tell when the salmon has been cooked enough. Obviously, you can use a meat thermometer but you can also do an eye test for doneness. Use a fork and when the skin pulls away from the flesh or when the flesh flakes when poked, that means the salmon is ready to be taken off of the grill. If you’re using a meat thermometer remember that food continues to cook after you take it off of a grill or out of an oven. Fish is done when it reaches 145°F but I would suggest taking it off the grill at 125°-130°F to avoid the salmon being overcooked. Just don’t sue me if you die from food poisoning please and thanks!
What To Serve With Barbecue Salmon Tacos
I would recommend serving these barbecue salmon tacos with a summery vegetable side dish, chips and dip, fruit salad or another side salad. Here’s some ideas:
And maybe wash it down with this watermelon and mint cocktail!
Salsa Ideas To Use For These Salmon Tacos
My favorite salsa for these salmon tacos is my cucumber-avocado salsa because it’s so flavorful and fresh with only 5 ingredients. But if you’re not feeling the cucumber-avocado salsa, no worries! You can use any type of salsa you like whether it’s store-bought or homemade. Here are some more salsa ideas that may sound good to you:
Salsa Verde
Pineapple Salsa
Guacamole
Mango Salsa
You could even whip up my grilled peach and vidalia onion salsa recipe to serve with these barbecue salmon tacos. You can find most of these at your grocery store or do a quick google search for a recipe that speaks to you!
If you like this barbecue salmon tacos recipe, follow my salmon recipes Pinterest board for more cooking inspiration.
This barbecue salmon tacos recipe was originally posted September 2016. The recipe, images and text have been updated to give you the best possible content.
Barbecue Salmon Tacos Recipe
Serves 6
Ingredients
Rub:
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground coffee
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 lb salmon
Cucumber-Avocado Salsa:
1 small cucumber, chopped
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and chopped
Juice of 1/2 lime
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 scallion, thinly sliced
For serving:
Taco sized tortillas
Shredded cabbage
Instructions:
Heat a grill to medium-high heat.
In a medium bowl, mix together salsa ingredients and season with salt. Set aside until ready to use.
In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, coffee, salt and pepper. Rub salmon all over with spice mix.
When grill is hot, place salmon on the grill, skin side down. Cover and cook 6-8 minutes until salmon is cooked to medium, remove and set aside until ready to use.
As salmon cools slightly, warm tortillas over the hot grill or over a gas stove set on low heat. When salmon is cool enough to touch, use a fork to cut it into large chunks.
Fill tortillas with shredded cabbage, salmon, and a scoop of salsa. Serve immediately.
If you like this recipe for salmon tacos, you might also like these other taco recipes:
Grilled Vegetable and Quinoa Tacos with Cilantro Pesto
Crispy Baked Tofu Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw
Greek Tacos with Kale and Creamy Feta Sauce
