Brown Sugar Spice Rubbed Salmon with Tomato Basil Vinaigrette
This brown sugar spice rubbed salmon is bold, flavorful, and perfect for weeknights or entertaining. Topped with a fresh tomato basil vinaigrette, it’s a summer-forward dish you’ll want to make on repeat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the salmon rub:
- Salmon fillets
- Brown sugar
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Chili powder
- Salt and pepper
For the tomato basil vinaigrette:
- Fresh cherry or grape tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
- White wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper
🔥 Pro Tip: Pat the salmon dry before applying the rub for better caramelization and crust development!
I also make it with the bed of cous cous, which takes this up a notch, and makes for the most amazing meal.
How to Make Brown Sugar Spice Rubbed Salmon
- Mix the spice rub – Combine brown sugar with spices to create your rub.
- Season the salmon – Generously coat each salmon fillet with the rub.
- Cook the salmon – Grill, sear, or bake until flaky and cooked through.
- Make the vinaigrette – Toss halved tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and vinegar together, and blend until smooth
- Top and serve – Spoon the vinaigrette over the hot salmon for a flavor-packed finish.
Why You’ll Love This Salmon Recipe
If you’re looking for a salmon recipe that’s easy but tastes like a chef made it, this brown sugar spice rubbed salmon is it. The sweet and smoky rub caramelizes as the salmon cooks, giving you an irresistible crust. Then it’s topped with a zesty tomato basil vinaigrette that brings freshness and brightness to every bite.
Whether you’re grilling, pan-searing, or baking, this salmon turns out juicy, flaky, and packed with flavor. It’s a standout dish that works for a casual family dinner or a summer dinner party with friends.
What to Serve With This Salmon
This flavorful salmon pairs beautifully with:
- Garlic roasted potatoes
- Grilled, air fried, or steamed asparagus
- A simple arugula salad
- Quinoa or couscous for a complete meal
Why This Recipe Works
- ✅ Quick and easy – Ready in 30 minutes or less
- ✅ Big flavor payoff – Sweet, smoky, fresh, and tangy in every bite
- ✅ Healthy and satisfying – Protein-rich and loaded with nutrients
- ✅ Perfect for summer – Light yet hearty, and the vinaigrette is garden-fresh
Holy Moly! And who knew it could get better? This stuff is delicious. Like downright tasty. I want seconds. I am going to make this three days in a row and still won’t be sick of it. Picky eaters rejoice. And fish haters consider. It is just that good.
So, now it is your turn. Please do yourself and your tastebuds a flavor favor and try this recipe. It takes less than 20 minutes to make it start to finish, and has texture, flavor, substance, and ease.
Brown Sugar Spice Rubbed Salmon with Tomato Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
CousCous
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups cous cous prepared to package directions
- 1/2 cup onion chopped small
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup tomato diced
- Fresh basil for garnish
Brown sugar spice rubbed Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground ancho chilie powder
- 1/4 tsp celery salt
- 1/2 tbs Cumin
Tomato Basil Vinaigrette
- 2 large tomatoes 1 1/2 cups tomato
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- pinch of salt
- pinch of pepper
- 1 large spring of basil adjust according to preference
Instructions
- Start preparing cous cous according to package directions, which typically involves toasting them for a minute, adding water, and bringing to a boil. Add onion in after boiling, so it has a chance to soften and flavor the cous cous.
- Meanwhile, pat salmon dry, and set aside.
- Mix brown sugar rub ingredients together.
- Pour brown sugar rub on a plate.
- Grab salmon and press into brown sugar rub on each side.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and pan sear for about 3 minutes per side.
- Mix tomato basil ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.
- Mix the cucumbers and tomatoes into the cous cous with 1/2 cup of tomato basil vinaigrette
- Plate cous cous mixture, put salmon on top
- Drizzle with additional tomato basil vinaigrette and enjoy!
- Garnish with additional basil if desired.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
Want to use this recipe in a meal plan?Try PrePear, my FREE Meal Planning App that allows you to save your recipes, plan meals, shop for groceries, and cook simply in one place. Join Here!Pin to your Fish or Easy Lunch board:
Leave a Reply