Spice Rub Baked Salmon with Avocado Salsa

Paleo Baked Salmon is rubbed down with a sweet and spicy spice blend and seared in the oven for that perfect flaky bite! This tender salmon is topped with a creamy avocado salsa and is done in less than 30 minutes for the ultimate weeknight dinner.

Is baked salmon your thing? If so, you need to make my 20 minute garlic butter baked salmon or my easy chili lime grilled salmon with mango avocado salsa.

My Favorite Spice Rubbed Baked Salmon With Salsa

Guys, I cannot even describe to you how excited I am for you to try out this recipe!

This meal is a powerhouse on flavor and nutrients! It has a whopping 50 grams of protein in each serving, good fat from both the salmon and the avocado, omega-3’s and 8 grams of fiber. It’s the perfect meal to fill your body up after a long day AND a work out. (Cuz I know you’re working out now … right?)

Here’s the good news. I know hearing all the nutrients may not get you excited to eat this … hmm… omega-3’s don’t sound good? How about a center cut salmon filet that’s rubbed down with a sweet and spicy spice blend, then baked in the oven until the fish flakes off with a slightly crispy sear on top?

But we don’t stop there. Oh no, now we top that flaky salmon with a homemade avocado salsa that is creamy and zesty. The salsa totally takes this dish over the top and makes it completely irresistible. If you don’t like salmon, here’s a chicken version of this same dish. Psst.. it’s been pinned almost half a million times. So, I’d guess that you’ll like it! 🙂

What You’ll Need

Spice rubs are where it’s at. Sure, salt and pepper are fine. But, rub a spice blend on your salmon and you’re sure to have a cash money end product. Here’s what you’ll need to make this salmon recipe (you can find the exact amounts in the recipe card below):

• Salmon: You can bake this in portioned salmon filets or the long filet and then slice it yourself.
• Spices: Your pantry will be your best friend here. I use a combo of cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
• Olive Oil: Just one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil is all you’ll need here.
• Avocado: You can’t go wrong with this one -fresh whole avocado are key.
• Cilantro: Fresh is best. You’ll be using this in the avocado salsa.
• Garlic: Minced garlic cloves will add the zing this dish needs. Can I get an amen from all those garlic lovers! 
• Lime: What is salsa without lime juice? Plus it keeps those avocados from turning burn.
• Red Wine Vinegar: I love the acid the red wine vinegar brings to this dish and helps cut through the fat from the salmon and avocado. Just a little goes a long way here.

How to Make Spice Rubbed Baked Salmon

This recipe comes together so fast, as in 20 minutes and you’re eating. You can’t get better than that!

• Preheat Oven: Set oven to 400°F.
• Prep Salmon: Pat salmon dry with a paper towel. This helps the spices that you season it with stick better.
• Make Spice Blend: In a small bowl, add garlic powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt and olive oil.
• Season Salmon: Rub seasoning blend on the flesh side of the salmon. Place on baking sheet skin side down.
• Place in Oven: Bake for 10-12 minutes.
• Broil: Remove from oven and turn the broiler on. Place salmon back in oven under broiler for another 2-3 minutes, or until the top is just crispy.

How to Make the Avocado Salsa

The key to avocado salsa is fresh ingredients and 5 minutes. Here’s how to make it and, believe me, you don’t want to skip this part of the recipe!

• Cut Avocado: This is not guacamole. It’s salsa, so instead of mashing the avocado, you’re going to cut it into medium size chunks.
• Mix Ingredients: In a small bowl, add avocado, cilantro, red wine vinegar, lime juice, red pepper flakes, garlic clove, and salt to taste. Gently stir to combine.

Tips for Success

I have just a few more quick tips and tricks to share with you on this salmon with salsa before you begin:

• Which temperature should I bake salmon at? There’s a couple theories here on what temperature to use. I’ve seen 325°F, 350°F, 400°F and even 425°F. I have tried just about all of them and, in my opinion, the best temperature is 400°F. I even cook my salmon in the air fryer at 400°F. The high heat sears the outside of the salmon and gives you that crunchy texture, while the inside is perfectly flaky. I even like the place my salmon under the broiler for 2 minutes or so to really lock in that sear. Trust me, the sear is where the flavor is at.
• How long should I bake my salmon? This will depend on the thickness of your salmon. It can range anywhere between 6 minutes or 12 minutes when baked in the oven. This also assumes an oven temperature of 400°F. 
• How to tell when your salmon is done. The best way to tell if your salmon is done is by gently pressing down on the top with a fork. If the salmon flakes, meaning it easily breaks along the white lines that run across the salmon, then it is done.

What Goes With Salmon With Salsa?

So many things! Here are a few of my go-to side dish options for this meal:

• Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
• Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest
• Charred Corn Red Pepper Farro Salad
• Grilled Corn Salad with Jalapeno Dressing
• Mango Couscous Salad
• Grilled Sweet Potato Salad

More Salmon Recipes

Looking for more easy salmon recipes? Check out these ones!

• Honey Blackened Salmon
• Easy Whole30 Baked Salmon With Spice Rub
• Cedar Plank Salmon
• Grilled Lemon Pepper Salmon
• Pan Seared Salmon With Sage Brown Butter Sauce

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