This spicy salmon marinade recipe makes the most flavorful salmon, made with soy sauce, spicy brown mustard, chili flakes and more. Super easy to make.
Get your salmon fillets ready, my friends. We're whipping up a new batch of Spicy Salmon Marinade today in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen, and it's going to add a ton of bold flavor to your meal.
Salmon is one of my favorite fish. We probably eat it once a week. I love it anyway I can get it, baked, grilled, broiled, you name it. There are many ways to coax maximum flavor out of your salmon, and one of my favorites is with a good marinade.
A great salmon marinade will infuse the salmon with all sorts of extra wonderful flavor, and it's easy to whip together. All it takes is a bit of chopping and whisking a few ingredients together in a small bowl. Then, marinate!
There is a nice bit of spiciness here, just the way I like it, but the heat is not overwhelming. Salmon is delicate and flaky and highly flavored, perfect for a touch of spicy heat. However, you can easily adjust it to your own preferred level. So easy to customize!
You just need a bit of extra time to let that salmon soak up all those wonderful flavors, so plan ahead if you can! Alright, are you ready for some salmon?
Let's talk about how to make salmon marinade, shall we?
Spicy Salmon Marinade Ingredients
- The Liquids. The Liquids. Use ¼ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey (or use brown sugar), 3 tablespoons brown mustard (I use spicy brown mustard) and 2 tablespoons lemon juice (or juice from ½ lemon)
- The Spicy Factor. I use 1 serrano pepper, diced (or use even hotter peppers to really spice things up), along with a teaspoon (or more) of spicy red pepper flakes. You can skip the hot peppers for a milder version. You'll still get some heat from the chili flakes.
Flavor Builders. Use 4 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you'd like) and 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salmon. This recipe is good to cover 2 6-ounce salmon fillets. You might be able to squeeze 3 of them in there.
How to Make Spicy Salmon Marinade - the Recipe Method
Combine and Whisk. Whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, honey or brown sugar, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and red pepper flakes in a small bowl until well combined.
Marinate. Place the salmon in a large plastic bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag and refrigerate at least 15 minutes to 20 minutes, or for 1 hour before cooking.
You'll get a bit more flavor penetration with 1 hour. You can also set the salmon into a wide pan such as a baking dish or bowl and cover them with the marinade, then top with plastic wrap.
Boom! Done! Easy salmon marinade, isn't it? Get your salmon marinating! Fire up the grill! I love a great grilled salmon recipe, though this salmon marinade works no matter how you're cooking up your salmon. Works for any cut of salmon, too.
When you're ready to cook your salmon, discard the remaining marinade and get cooking. See the recipe notes below for cooking methods, and links to several salmon recipes below.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Other Ingredients. Other flavors are popular for marinating salmon. Try using orange juice instead of lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and cracked black pepper. You can also include your own favorite seasonings and seasoning blends as desired. Make it your own.
- Benefits of a Marinade. Marinating is a big flavor building component. A good marinade helps to add moisture to your proteins, especially fish. It also helps the salmon from drying out while you're cooking it. Salmon is an oilier fish, so you can easily get away without marinating, though the marinade really adds a lot of flavor.
- Marinating Time. I like to get my marinade going in the morning and marinate the salmon all day long so they're ready for cooking or grilling later that night. You'll still get good flavor, though, with only 30 minutes. Go 1 hour if you can for more flavor penetration.
- The Heat Factor. You'll get a nice level of heat if you go with some spicy chili peppers here, though you can omit them if you'd prefer a milder heat. Stick with the red pepper flakes and you'll be good to go for just a touch of heat. Use hotter peppers to get some real heat going. I know you want to, my chilihead friends!
- Grilling the Salmon. If you're going to grill your salmon, get your grill going to medium high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill the marinated fish for 4-5 minutes per side, or until it is cooked through to your liking. If you're cooking with skin on salmon, start with the salmon skin side down so you can get a nice, crispy skin. This also works for pan frying salmon.
- Baking the Salmon. If you'd like to bake your salmon, heat your oven to 425 degrees F (218 C) and bake the salmon on an oiled baking sheet 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through and the salmon flakes easily with a fork. You want 4-6 minutes per inch of thickness, depending on how you like it done.
Best Internal Temperature for Salmon
The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145 degrees F for salmon. However, many cooks prefer to serve salmon at 125 degrees F for a silkier texture of the fish.
I recommend the the ThermoPop meat thermometer (affiliate link, my friends) by ThermoWorks for measuring the temperatures of meat and fish. I am a proud affiliate.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my spicy salmon marinade recipe, and the salmon! However you cook it up.. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you. Keep it spicy!
Storage Information / Make it Ahead
You can make this salmon marinade up to 5 days ahead of time. Just keep it in the refrigerator in a sealed container. When you're ready to use, take it out and marinate your salmon as desired.
You can also freeze it for 3 months.
Try My Spicy Salmon Marinade with Some of These Salmon Recipes
Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. 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.
Spicy Salmon Marinade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons brown mustard I use spicy brown mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey or use brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or juice from ½ lemon
- 1 serrano pepper diced (or use even hotter peppers to really spice things up - optional, for extra spicy)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes to taste use ¼ to 1 teaspoon, or to taste
- 2 6- ounce salmon fillets
Instructions
- Whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, honey or brown sugar, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until well combined.
- Place the salmon in a large zip-lock bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag and refrigerate at least 15 to 20 minutes, or for 1 hour before cooking.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Sydney says
This is hands down my favorite salmon marinade. I love a classic lemon dill but there is nothing like this one. I discovered this marinade about a month ago and have made it about 3-4 times already. Game changer.
Maybe I missed where you may have mentioned but how long could this marinade stay prepared for ahead of time, say like a large batch in the fridge?
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Sydney! Glad you enjoyed it! You can make this salmon marinade up to 5 days ahead of time. Just keep it in the refrigerator in a sealed container. When you're ready to use, take it out and marinate your salmon as desired.
Charles Annand says
I discovered the salmon marinade about six weeks ago and I know I have made it a half dozen times. Partly because salmon is such a super food.
Dawn Gilbert says
Just made this recipe again, and used some of my own jalapenos! Delicious, as usual!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome! Thanks, Dawn! I appreciate the comments. I definitely love this one. YUM!
Dawn Gilbert says
I LOVE this marinade! My mother complains that she's lost her sense of taste, and she adores this recipe! Just enough spice, and great because ingredients are things you typically have on hand. This is my third round with frozen salmon and it is a HUGE HIT!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed it, Dawn! Nice.
dana krystofek says
Used this marinade the other night--seared salmon and served with quinoa and salad...absolutely delicious. The salmon had the most wonderful flavor!
Thanks Mike!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great to hear, Dana! Glad you enjoyed it.
Lavina says
This looks amazing Mike! I love salmon and have been waiting for something new and deliciously spicy to do with my 2 frozen fillets! Can't wait to try this out! Thanks for the recipe and inspiration!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Lavina! I know you'll make yours extra spicy! Enjoy!
Geraldine says
Hi Mike. Had this last night. It was scrumptious! I normally find salmon boring but this marinade really made it so tasty. Thank you.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Nice! Thanks, Geraldine!
Geraldine says
I made this last night. It was scrumptious! I usually find salmon a bit boring. But this marinade really made a difference. Thanks Mike.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks again, Geraldine!!
Cheryl says
What is brown mustard please
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Cheryl, you can often find "Spicy Brown Mustard" in grocery stores. It's really just mustard made with darker mustard seeds, a bit different typically from yellow mustard, but similar flavor.
Jennifer says
The BEST salmon I have ever had!!! Thanks so much for the awesome recipe!!!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome, Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed it!
Chip says
This was the third time I made your recipe. This time I doubled the recipe for 2 1/2 pounds of salmon. I used the marinade and slow roasted the fish at 275. Used sauce when I served it up. Wonderful. My wife wants it for Christmas dinner. Thanks for a tremendous website.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great, Chip! Super happy you enjoyed it! This would be a great holiday meal for sure.
Jeanne says
Thank you for this recipe! It was delicious. I can't wait to try the orange juice variation.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Jeanne!
Gia says
I am usually disappointed by how salmon turns out when I make it at home, but this is recipe was fantastic! I actually ate all my salmon first before touching anything else on my plate.
I left out the Serrano pepper and added a full teaspoon of the red pepper flakes. I also reserved a few tablespoons of the marinade to pour on top of the fish at the end. So good!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Nice! Glad you enjoyed it, Gia! Excellent.
Sam Visser says
I made this and this was SO GOOD! YUM!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Great, thanks!!
Jazz says
Super easy and yummy! I used 3 wiri wiri peppers instead of the red pepper flakes. BTW, this makes a lot of marinade; I used 18 oz of salmon, and had plenty of marinade. I served the leftover marinade alongside the salmon, and we spooned it over the grilled salmon. Thank you for another terrific recipe!!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Jazz! Glad you enjoyed it.
Oosha says
Sounds amazing
I am planning to make it for dinner using your suggested orange juice instead of lemon.
Thanks got all your wonderful recipes.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Oosha! Enjoy!
andy says
Can you reserve some of the marinade and use it as a mop as well? Thanks.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
You surely can, Andy. Let me know how it goes! Enjoy.