If I ever move anywhere else in the United States, it would be to California. Lately I’ve been thinking about the days when I used to live in Hermosa Beach. The weather was indescribably beautiful. The neon pink and orange sunsets were astounding. The wines were bold and native. The hiking trails were gruesome (in a good way).
Every year these memories come up as we approach cooler temperatures. I can already feel it happening and I’m just not ready yet. How about you?
Another thing I specifically remember about my time in California, is the always fresh and flavorful salmon. We probably had it at least once a week. Usually we opted for a lemon and dill flavor combo, but sometimes we’d mix it up and do teriyaki or brown sugar honey versions.
This time I wanted to do a something that was both sweet, tangy and spicy all at the same time.
Honey = sweet.
Lime = tangy.
Sriracha = spicy.
Ohhh la la! Obviously the marinade is top notch deliciousness. Then to top it all off, the salmon is served over a simple cold cucumber salad dressed in a sweet sesame vinaigrette. I used a spiralizer to create my cucumber noodles but you could also try to use a vegetable peeler if you don’t have one available. Or you can just thinly slice the cucumbers! Either way, it’s going to be GOOD.
I created this recipe in partnership with Peapod, an online grocery delivery service. The folks at Peapod recently created the recipe website FromthePod.com and asked me to contribute some fun, seasonal recipes.
I love that I have been able to order all of my groceries off Peapod because it’s super simple. They also have a really great mobile app that you can download for free and shop from if you’re on the go; check it out!
It’s funny, but I always consider salmon to be some fancy dish but the truth is that it’s one of the easiest dinners you can make. Just marinade, bake (or grill), and serve. And trust me, once you taste those cucumber noodles, you’ll want to eat them every single day.
If you make anything from AK, be sure to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram — I love seeing your creations and featuring followers! You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Snapchat (username: ambitiouskitch).
Honey-Lime Sriracha Salmon with Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodle Salad
Ingredients
- FOR THE SALMON:
- 1 1/4 pounds wild salmon
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon chili paste
- 1 tablespoon sriracha
- 3 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh peeled grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- FOR THE CUCUMBER NOODLES:
- 4 large cucumbers, peeled and spiralized
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh peeled grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons gluten free soy sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons water
- Optional for dressing: 1 teaspoon honey
- Optional for serving: sesame seeds, spinach, green onions, cilantro or chives
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients for the salmon: honey, chili paste, sriracha, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and sesame oil. Place salmon in a large ziploc bag and pour in marinade; refrigerate for 1 hour (no longer).
- While salmon is marinating you can prepare the cucumber noodle salad: In a large bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, sesame oil, soy sauce, water and honey, if using. Add cucumber noodles and stir to evenly coat the noodles; cover and place in the fridge until ready to serve with the salmon.
- When salmon is ready to cook, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place salmon on a foil-lined baking sheet (important) and bake for 15-20 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork. The salmon will take 15 minutes per inch of thickness. Mine is usually always perfect around 18 minutes.
- Cut salmon into 4 pieces and serve on top of cucumber noodles. Sprinkle on garnishes like sesame seeds, green onions or cilantro if desired.
Nutrition
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So delicious! made mine w a zucchini instead of a cucumber, was great
Perfect! Love that idea.
This looks delicious. will definitely try this recipe
It is!! Enjoy 🙂
This was purely delicious. I usually just make salmon with lemon; what a nice change up! The flavors worked well together and the cucumber noodles made the dish very refreshing. I use a lot of your recipes and have not found one I haven’t liked!
What’s the difference between chili paste and siracha?
Cannot wait for this. Cucumber Noodles + Alex = Love. Gonna try it soon.
LOVE salmon and this looks amazing!
Sooo I am totally ordering Sizzlefish this week and this will definitely be the first meal I make!! Sounds too good to be true.
After my first visit to California I was ready to move. The weather is just perfect, sort of like this salmon. Honey, lime and sriracha is a love song to me.
Ha! I kind of feel the opposite…. I grew up near Chicago and now live in Hawai’i. This is the one time of year – when school starts and I’m still sweating profusely every time I leave the house – that feel terribly homesick.
Can’t wait to try the cucumnber noodles!
You had me at Sriracha, salmon, cucumbers and lime! YUM! Time to make dinner O3O
I’m totally putting this on the menu for this week! It looks amazing!
This salmon is absolutely heaven sent! seriously I could not think of a better combo with sriracha. I love the temperature difference between hot salmon and cold noodles! I have so much salmon in my freezer right now, gonna make this ASAP before I eat the screen!
This looks delicious and you’ve hit the nail on the…seafood with the flavor combination. Zing.
Salmon never gets old! Love this flavor combo! California warmth doesn’t get too old either 😉
I love the depth of flavor in this recipe! Also that we who are gluten-free can eat it too.
My brother-in-law absolutely loves sriracha sauce, so I’m going to share this recipe with him.
mm fresh salmon is by far my most favorite fish! the marinade sounds delicious
the cucumber noodles sound so refreshing and amazing! i bet they’d have a great crunch that’d work well with the soft salmon.
I love recipes with a delicious combination of flavors and you perfectly nailed it with this moist and delicious salmon!
Haha, my husband and I are the opposite, we have yet to even visit my sister-in-law in California! I love cold-weather Canada 🙂 I always say I need to make more seafood, and this is one looks really simple!
I love all things salmon! Sounds so delicious!
What is chili paste? Is that Thai Red chili paste or something else?
Thanks!
Yes, it’s thai red chili paste. 🙂
This salmon looks delish. I am always on the hunt for new ways to make salmon and found one. Pinning for later.