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Tandoori Salmon Recipe

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4 from 14 reviews

A flavorful Tandoori Salmon recipe featuring wild salmon fillets marinated in a blend of aromatic spices and cooked to perfection using either an air fryer or oven broiler. This Indian-inspired dish boasts vibrant colors and a deliciously smoky and tangy taste, perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal.

  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Salmon and Marinade

  • 1½ pounds wild salmon fillets (boneless, each fillet roughly 4-6 ounces)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste (from a 1-inch piece of ginger)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste (from 3-4 cloves garlic)
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or olive oil)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (or lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1½ teaspoons garam masala (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2½ teaspoons coriander powder
  • 2 teaspoons Kashmiri red chili powder (or paprika for mild heat)

For Garnish

  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice (to drizzle on top)
  • ½ teaspoon chaat masala (optional, to sprinkle on cooked salmon)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine ginger paste, garlic paste, avocado oil, lime juice, salt, turmeric powder, garam masala, coriander powder, and Kashmiri red chili powder. Mix well to form a smooth marinade.
  2. Prepare Salmon: Pat dry the salmon fillets with paper towels and cut into 2-inch wide steaks. Alternatively, purchase pre-cut salmon steaks or ask your butcher to cut them for you.
  3. Marinate Salmon: Add the salmon steaks into the marinade bowl and use a brush or your hands to generously coat all sides of the salmon pieces with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
  4. Air Fryer Tandoori Salmon: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 2 minutes. Place the marinated salmon fillets skin-side down (if skin-on) in the air fryer basket, leaving about a ½-inch gap between each piece for air circulation. Air fry for 7-9 minutes depending on thickness. Check for doneness by flaking with a fork; if not fully cooked, air fry an additional 1-2 minutes.
  5. Oven-Baked Tandoori Salmon: Alternatively, preheat your oven broiler. Lightly grease an aluminum-lined baking sheet and arrange the marinated salmon steaks skin-side down. Position the baking sheet on the top rack about 4-5 inches from the broiler element. Broil for 8-10 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, drizzle fresh lime juice over the salmon. For an extra burst of flavor, sprinkle chaat masala optionally. Serve hot with cilantro or mint chutney, saffron rice, and a side of roasted broccoli to complete the meal.

Notes

  • Adjust red chili powder to your spice preference; Kashmiri chili powder adds vibrant color with moderate heat, while paprika is milder.
  • Marinating salmon for at least 20 minutes ensures deeper spice flavor penetration but do not exceed 1 hour to avoid texture changes.
  • Use skin-on salmon if you prefer crisp skin; otherwise, boneless skinless works well too.
  • Chaat masala adds tangy zing and is optional.
  • Cooking times may vary based on salmon thickness and appliance model; always check for doneness.

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/tandoori-salmon-recipe/