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My new go-to weeknight tacos. These sheet pan chipotle salmon tacos are smoky, zesty, and ridiculously simple: juicy salmon, warm tortillas, crunchy slaw, and lots of lime. Spicy chipotle roasted salmon and sweet pineapple, all stuffed into warmed tortillas, with a creamy roasted garlic crema, and avocado. These spicy tropical salmon tacos are made all on one sheet pan and in no time at all. They’re quick, vibrant, and so delicious!
Why you’ll love these
- One pan, minimal cleanup
- Smoky-sweet chipotle glaze + tangy slaw = balanced, vibrant tacos
- Easy to scale for family night or a casual crowd
Ingredient Notes
- Chipotle in adobo: smoky heat; scrape out seeds for milder flavor, use more sauce for extra smokiness
- Sweetness and acid: a touch of maple or honey balances the chipotle; fresh lime or orange brightens the glaze flavor
- Salmon: pat dry for better caramelization, individual filets or one large filet both work
- Vegetables for the tray (if included): bell peppers, onions, or corn roast quickly and add crunch plus a sweetness
- Tortillas: Corn for the classic flavor or flour tortillas for a softer bite – you can warm these right up on the pan at the end. Crispy taco shells work, too!
- Fresh herbs and yummy extras: cilantro, avocado, crumbly cheese, and lime wedges
The inspiration behind this recipe
The fun topic my family members are all currently discussing in our group text? Where to go on our spring vacation. This year more than ever, I’m craving anything tropical, ideally with temperatures above 80° F.
Colorado mountain towns see pretty long winters, wet snowy springs, and short summers. I just want to feel some warm sunshine on my skin. And with everyone rattling off ideas it’s definitely left me with some inspiration for new recipes.
The idea
It’s no secret we LOVE tacos around here, but aside from the occasional shrimp taco, I haven’t played around much with fish tacos.
Back when I first started cooking, my brother, Brendan, introduced me to salmon tacos. He made them in a very unique way and served them up with cream cheese smeared inside the taco shells. I remember them being so delicious. So I thought I’d make salmon tacos for a change of pace, but make them very tropical!
Step-by-step details and instructions
- Mix the glaze: chipotle in adobo sauce, olive oil, honey, and a touch of paprika. Taste and adjust the heat, acid, and salt at this point
- Prep the pan: lightly oil, space salmon bite-size pieces so edges are not touching (helps with caramelization)
- Roast: Brush salmon with the glaze. Add quick-roasting vegetables to the open side of the pan if including. I like to roast the jalapeño and garlic for the salsa on this pan. Throw in the oven and roast for ten minutes.
- Warm tortillas: slide tortillas onto the pan for the last moments so that they’re soft and steamy
- Make the pineapple mango salsa: diced pineapple, mango, cilantro, ginger, lime juice, and roasted jalapeños. mix in a bowl and it’s ready to go!
Oh, and I love to give everything a little crispiness right before I pull the pan out of the oven. So for the last minute of cooking, I switch the oven to broil. Then I let everything get a nice crispiness around the edges, but watch carefully!
Finish it up
Next up the salsa. Pineapple mixed with mango and roasted jalapeño! It might just be one of my very favorite salsas. I love the mix of pineapple and mango with the spicy jalapeño and cilantro. So yummy!
And lastly, if you want to make a little crema sauce, I recommend roasting some garlic on the sheet pan too. Then grate it and add to a bowl of sour cream with lots and lots of lime juice. I shared my easy recipe in the notes! It’s optional, but it really does add nice flavor to each taco!
Layer avocado, salsa, and salmon in warm tortillas, and then top with a crumble of cheese. Looks like a taco you might find in Mexico, but made here in your own home! So fun and delicious!
Looking for other tropical recipes? Here are a few…
Oven Fried Coconut Shrimp with Thai Pineapple Chili Sauce
Slow Cooker Braised Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Tacos
Cilantro Lime Salmon with Mango Salsa
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos with Fried Avocado
Crispy Cauliflower Tinga Tacos with Honey Lime Avocado Crema
Lastly, if you make these Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 349 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 4 (4-6 ounce) salmon filets, cut into bite size chunks
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped chipotle in adobo
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon smoked or regular paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- kosher salt and black pepper
- warm tortillas, shredded cabbage/lettuce, and avocado, for serving
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
Pineapple-Mango Salsa
- 1-2 jalapeños
- 1 cup diced pineapple
- 1/2 cup diced mango
- 1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons ginger, grated
- 1 juice of a lime (about 2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 450° F. 2. On a baking sheet, toss the salmon pieces with olive oil, chipotle in adobo, honey, paprika, thyme, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer. Add the jalapeños (for the salsa). Roast 10-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. During the last minute, switch the oven to broil and broil until lightly charred. Set the salmon side.3. To make the salsa. De-seed the jalapeño (if desired), then chop and add to a bowl with the pineapple, mango, cilantro, ginger, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. 4. Stuff the avocado, cabbage, salsa, and salmon into the warmed tortillas. Top with crema (see notes) or yogurt, cheese and additional salsa.
Notes
Garlic Lime Crema: roast 1-2 cloves of garlic with the salmon. Finely chop or grate the roasted garlic, then mix with 1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons lime zest, and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Season with salt.
This post was originally published on March 10, 2022
Do you chop up the chipotle chili’s in adobo before mixing with the Salmon?
Hi Meghan,
You bet! Let me know how the recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Made this tonight and forgot to add some ingredients but I’m glad I made sure to get the chipotle in adobo because it definitely makes the salmon. A nice bit of heat and while I forgot the honey I thought the mango pineapple salsa also balanced out the heat. And I definitely also made the cream bc I love a sauce.
Hi Alyssa,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Would you recommend to cook the pieces of salmon in a Traeger ? Thanks
Hi Sue,
Sure, that would work well for you! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xxTieghan
“Serves 6” does that equal 1 or 2 tacos per person ? I am planning on making your Salmon Tacos for a party of 10!! Would you recommend to double the recipe for everyone to have 2 tacos each ? Also, do you add anything to the smashed avocado and would you suggest to double the tostados when serving ? Thank you
Hey Cindy,
This will give each person 2 tacos, but if you are making for 10, I would double the recipe. I like to double up tortillas but that is personal preference, so totally up to you. I just smash the avocado. I hope you love the recipe!! xTieghan
I m making now i am so excited . Everything smells lovely
Hi Oana,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend!☀️ xx
I love these tacos!! I forgot to get adobos at the store and going back felt hard so i used a tsp of chili powder. All the flavors.. the salsa were so amazing! Definitely will become a high frequency meal
Hi Katie,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xxT
My sister made this and it was so delicious I couldn’t wait to make it for my husband! He loved it!
Wow. Just wow!!! My boyfriend and I made this for date night last night and not only was it so fun and quick to make together, it was also incredibly delicious. We’ll definitely be making this again very soon!
I highly recommend making the garlic lime crema!
Hey there,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xxT
Hi Lisa,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xxT
Do you have a recommendation for what to sub for the honey so baby under 1 year can eat it?
Hi Amy,
You can use maple syrup in place of the honey. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Made this as a rice bowl instead of tacos and was still a hit. So simple and a lot of flavor. Will increase heat next time by adding more chipotles and by adding raw jalapeño to the salsa.
Hi Ryan,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try!! Have the best day:) xx
This has a wonderful combination of sweet (from the salsa) and heat and smoke (from the chipotle in adobo). We didn’t make the crema, but we will next time! Excellent recipe that gets us in the mood for spring/summer.
Hi Rachael,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try!! Have the best day:) xx
Soooo delicious! So much flavor, so good! The pineapple jalapeño salsa was perfect with the chipotle! Loved how quick and easy it was, too!
Hi Christina,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for trying it out!! xx
Quick, easy, and so delicious! Everyone liked it so much next time I will double the salmon. Thanks for a great dinner!
Hi Christine,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
This was amazing. What a burst of flavor. It was a huge hit, and one of the most flavorful recipes I’ve ever eaten.
Do you think this would work well with tofu?
Hey Amber,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Sure, tofu would work! ?xTieghan
Made this today but used Trader Joe’s pineapple salsa instead of making my own. I did roast the garlic and make the crema. I had it on the table 30 minutes after I got home from work. Wonderful recipe for taco Tuesday!!
Hi Lynette,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xx
A-Mazing!! Will definitely make these again. Have a family member who doesn’t like too much spice so I used 1T chipotle and half a jalapeño, and all were happy. ?Thanks ❤️
Hey Renee,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
This was delicious!!! I get really nervous whenever I make fish, so it was such a great feeling when this turned out well and my family loved it, and I have a big family to please!
Hi Sarah,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xx