Spicy Salmon for Tacos
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If you love a good salmon taco and you love spicy foods then you have GOT to try this Spicy Salmon for Tacos! All the best flavors of salmon just spicier and more flavorful. Add your favorite taco fillings and your choice of tortillas and you’ll get all that salmon straight of the freezer!
And we caught a lot last year so I need to use it up. It’s a 2 for 1 over here, a post, AND eating down the freezer. We dearly LOVE my regular salmon tacos and this recipe for Spicy Alaska Salmon for Tacos adds a spicy kick to a family favorite.
Too Much Salmon?
You might think you would love to have the “too much salmon” problem and you might actually enjoy it for a year. Maybe two at the most.
And then the ones you love, they turn on you, they refuse to eat another salmon patty, salmon loaf, grilled salmon steak, salmon fish stick. In fact, they might just refuse to even set foot in the house if you’re cooking salmon.
The Fishermen
Don’t get me wrong. These people are same exact people who catch all the salmon, who excitedly pack everything they own in the car and go sleep in not-their-bed to catch salmon. Yes, those people who gleefully bring it home will turn on you. So you have to go about the whole “eat 45 salmon a year” thing very, very carefully, dole it out in just the right amount, about every ten days in various forms will get you through your freezer of salmon without revolt.
I, of course, never did this to my mom. Nope not me, I shut up and ate that salmon loaf with a damn smile on my face. Ask her–never mind DO NOT ENGAGE MY MOTHER IN THIS! But she would totally agree with what I’m saying. I would never have worn nose plugs as a child when she was cooking salmon…
Salmon Tacos
This SPICY variation of my regular Mild Salmon Tacos, if you don’t like the heat check those out instead. To get the heat for these tacos I lean heavily on fiery chipotle chili powder and jalapeño powder both of which can be found on Amazon or in spice shops.
Be careful with the jalapeño powder, it’s very light and airy, when you open the bag or jar and it floats up into your face, it will make you sneeze or choke so be aware and open carefully! And of course, feel free to tone down any of the peppers in the spice mix to suit your heat limit.
Spicy Salmon Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pound salmon fillet or pieces to make 1 1/4 pounds, partially frozen works great
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1/2 teaspoon jalapeno powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules
- salt
- 2 teaspoons cooking oil
Instructions
- use a sharp fillet knife to remove the salmon from the skin– To do this slice down through the salmon, then before you hit the skin turn the knife sideways and slide it away from you along skin, repeat until the skin is completely removed
- while you’re skinning the salmon make sure to feel for bones and remove any that you feel, you don’t want a surprise pin bone showing up
- cut the salmon in about one inch cubes, smaller or bigger are fine
- place in a plastic bag or a shallow bowl
- mix dry spices cumin through garlic in a small bowl
- toss with the salmon to coat
- let rest for at least 20 minutes
- prep your tortillas and fillings during this time
- when you’re ready to get cooking heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a 10 inch skillet over medium heat
- swirl to coat the bottom
- add half the salmon, let it sear for a 1-2 minutes, then carefully turn it over and cook for 1-2 minutes turning carefully as needed to cook through–do not cook for longer than 5 minutes or it will begin to flake and fall apart, you’re going for cubes here
- remove to a serving dish, sprinkle with a pinch of salt
- repeat with the remaining salmon
- serve with your desired toppings and tortillas
I eat salmon at least two or three times a week – always wild from Alaska. I actually have it shipped to me frequently and stash it in my freezer. Then I roast it without thawing – no one would ever know it's been frozen. But don't take the skin off – that's the best part! Love salmon tacos!
Ohh I would love to have these for dinner, I love salmon!
Salmon tacos? That is a very good and original idea!
I love kicking up the spice on salmon. It just goes so well together. Do you ever do smoked salmon? We're going to smoke up most of the rest of ours soon (after our babies arrive and I'm back on my feet).
I am a real salmon lover and I love the spices you've used on this salmon! Looks great too.
I've never been big on salmon, but this would be excellent with halibut too!!
These tacos look amazing!
I've never had salmon tacos, but I think these spices would be excellent with it. It's quite a versatile fish. We love salmon too!
Your spicy salmon taco is very much an elevated fish taco….Yes, please!
That has my name written all over it!