These salmon tacos are to die for, with marinated salmon cooked in spicy Szechuan sauce, served on flour tortillas on a bed of caramelized peppers. So delicious. Here is the recipe.
Szechuan Salmon Tacos Recipe
Yeah, there is a totally new FAVE in the house. Szechuan Salmon Tacos. First bite and I was like, DANG! I NEED more of these in my life! Seriously. The truth is, though, I have had Szechuan Salmon Tacos before, and this recipe is an inspiration from that first time I tried them.
Our Szechuan Salmon Tacos Story
Patty and I were traveling through the Charlotte, NC area fairly recently, and when we travel, we like to look up fun and interesting restaurants. We enjoy dining experiences of all levels, but we're more drawn to the out-of-the-way places that are known for amazing food.
We downloaded the "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" app and did a search for places that had been featured on the show. There are so many places I've seen on Triple D that I'd kill to visit. Drooling, you know?
So onthis app, we find a place called Krazy Fish Bar and Grill in Charlotte, NC. We hadn't seen that specific episode, but apparently Guy Fieri had their Szechuan Salmon Tacos and had all sorts of great things to say about them.
I imagine it had something to do with "Flavortown" or being "Off the Hook".
PLUS! Krazy Fish has gumbo on the menu, so I was like, Heck Yeah we're going there!
The First Time I Tried Szechuan Salmon Tacos
The restaurant was fantastic. It's a decent sized place, nothing fancy at all, very colorful and very comfortable, something you might find along an ocean boulevard, sort of an old school feel with a fun vibe.
I'd totally hang there if I lived nearby. I enjoyed the gumbo, absolutely, but when I bit into my order of Szechuan Salmon Tacos, I had to channel my inner Guy Fieri. "Shut the Front Door! I just drove the bus head on into Flavor Town!" LOL.
Truly, the tacos were amazing. One bite and I knew I had to make this at home. The salmon is dripping with Szechuan sauce, served over a bed of roasted bell peppers.
I didn't want to deviate from what they served, though since I didn't have their recipe, I had to wing it and make it my own way. I got pretty darned close by way of flavor, and I absolutely will be making these again. Szechuan sauce is "the bomb!"
How to make Szechuan Salmon Tacos - The Recipe / Method
Let's break it down, the Chili Pepper Madness way. For 6 tacos, you'll need 12 ounces of salmon. Slice them into 2 ounce pieces and marinade them about 30 minutes in a bit of soy sauce with salt and pepper. Cook down your onions and peppers in oil.
I added a jalapeno pepper for extra spice, though Krazy Fish uses only bell peppers, I believe. You want to cook them a while, at least 20 minutes, until they begin to caramelize. You get much more flavor that way.
For the salmon, cook them for 2-3 minutes in a hot pan with oil until they are cooked through, then add the Szechuan sauce. Szechuan is a mixture of sweet and spicy, and if you're a chilehead like me, it's totally in your wheelhouse.
Serving Your Szechuan Salmon Tacos
Serve your salmon on warmed flour tortillas on top of the caramelized peppers and onions, then have fun with your toppings.
I didn't want to go crazy, as I wanted to highlight the flavor of the salmon, Szechuan sauce, and veggies, but I did add some chopped green onion, purple cabbage and herbs for a pop of freshness.
I also wanted some hot sauce for serving, but not just any hot sauce. I mean, hot sauce is GREAT, right? Yeah, you know me.
I wanted something with a bit of an Asian flair, so I made this: Spicy Chili-Carrot Hot Sauce. Give it a whirl! It's a nice addition.
I hope you enjoy the tacos! Let me know how they turn out for you. -- Mike H.
Patty's Perspective
Considering I did NOT order them in the restaurant and stared at them longingly the whole time Mike ate them, I was extremely pleased that he decided to do his own version. They really are delicious. I can't wait for him to make them again.
Try Some of My Other Popular Shrimp or Fish Taco Recipes
Check Out Some of My Popular Salmon Recipes
- Grilled Salmon with Honey-Sriracha Sauce
- Baked Salmon with Cajun Lemon Butter
- Szechuan Salmon with Chili Basil Rice
- Blackened Salmon
- Teriyaki Salmon
If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
Szechuan Salmon Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces salmon
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons olive oil + 1 tablespoon
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
- ¾ cup Szechuan sauce
- 6 flour tortillas warmed
- Extra toppings for serving such as chopped green onion, shredded cabbage,chopped parsley, hot sauce, etc.
Instructions
- Slice the salmon into 2 ounce pieces and set them into a baggie. Pour in the soy sauce along with some salt and pepper.
- Marinate for about a half hour while you cook your pepper and onions.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan and add the onion and peppers. Cook down about 20 minutes, until the veggies soften and begin to caramelize. They will be very soft and beginning to brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat. Add the salmon and cook about 2-3 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Add the Szechuan sauce and swirl to warm the sauce. Remove from heat.
- Warm the tortillas and top each with your onion-veggie mixture, then salmon, then your toppings. Add extra sauce if you'd like!
Notes
Nutrition Information
Andy B. says
Made this last week, and it was so good, I'm making it again tonight! I followed this recipe, as well as your Szechuan sauce recipe to a tee. I even added extra red Sichuan peppercorns for even more of that tingly mouthfeel the second time around. Amazing stuff! Thanks Mike!!
(While searching my local Asian market, I did happen to find green Sechuan peppercorns. I'm gonna play with 'em, but I'd love to see you do a sauce/hot sauce recipe with those.)
Mike Hultquist says
Great to hear, Andy! This is definitely a favorite around here. Unique, but delicious! I'll have to play with some green Sichuan peppercorns for sure.
Banks says
We had to sub black peppercorns but damn it had so much flavor! Will definitely get some Szechuan on hand to make this proper. So good!
Mike H. says
Happy you liked it, Banks!
Robyn says
FABULOUS!
Made these tonight and they were delicious! Live you recipes and ideas.
Mike Hultquist says
Excellent! Thanks, Robyn!
Shane says
Your site is the first I go to to look for the next dish to make.
Love it.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Shane!!
Jazz says
What is Szechuan sauce, and what brand do you use? I searched your website, but didn't find any recipes. Thanks!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Jazz, Szechuan sauce is a sweet Asian sauce that is a mixture of soy sauce, chili garlic sauce and a few other ingredients. You can usually find it in grocery stores, but I'm not sure about your area. I am making a homemade version to post on the site very soon. Stay tuned!
Jazz says
Thank you so much for your quick response! Your website is great!
Steve says
Ink is very expensive! I just want the recipe, not all the color photos!
REPLY: Steve, there is a simple PRINT function below the recipe in the social media bar. Click that and you can remove whatever you don't want to print. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.