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Bloody Mary salmon is a delicious and easy-to-make dish inspired by the classic savory Bloody Mary cocktail. The classic flavors of the Bloody Mary, such as tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce, perfectly complement the rich taste of salmon. Whether prepared for a special occasion or as part of a regular meal plan, it will leave a lasting impression without too much fuss.
Our family has been making this delicious recipe for many years, and it always turns out perfectly. The tender and juicy salmon fillet takes on a unique role when paired with the zesty and flavorful Bloody Mary sauce, making it the perfect addition to your at-home menu! It brings a creative twist to a classic cocktail and is always bursting with so much flavor!
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to love this quick and easy recipe.
- It is easy enough for a home cook of any skill level to try in the kitchen.
- This recipe is very versatile! You can use a variety of other proteins, such as shrimp, scallops, or even chicken.
- Similar to a Bloody Mary, the ingredient possibilities for this recipe are endless. From dill pickle juice to horseradish, you can add many flavors to this delicious dish!
- The simplicity of the ingredients list makes this recipe a perfect choice for a weekday dinner or when entertaining guests.
Ingredient Substitutes for Bloody Mary Salmon
As always, it’s recommended that you try this recipe as written the first time around. The next time, the sky’s the limit! Try adding all your favorite Bloody Mary variations, from smoked paprika to dill pickle juice. It’s also possible that you may not have all the required ingredients on hand or have dietary restrictions requiring substitutions.
Tomato Juice: If you don’t have tomato juice, you can combine tomato sauce and water in equal parts. Alternatively, you can use Clamato juice or blend canned tomatoes and then strain them for the juice.
Vodka: For a non-alcoholic version, replace the vodka with additional tomato juice or vegetable broth. This will maintain the flavor profile and ensure the dish remains moist during cooking.
Worcestershire Sauce :
- Soy sauce: With a similar taste, soy sauce can be used in the same amount as Worcestershire sauce. For a gluten-free option, use tamari sauce instead.
- A1 Steak Sauce: Although a less common substitute, use it in a 1-to-1 ratio with Worcestershire sauce.
- Homemade mix: Combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, and a few drops of hot sauce to replace 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
Tabasco Hot Sauce:
- Cayenne pepper: Add 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for every teaspoon of hot sauce, adjusting the amount based on your spice tolerance.
- Chili powder: Use half the amount of chili powder instead of hot sauce. Be cautious with the heat level, as some chili powders can be spicier than others.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Use 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for each teaspoon of hot sauce. You can also adjust the quantity based on your heat preference.
Fresh Parsley:
- Dried or fresh dill: Use equal parts of fresh dill to parsley or half the amount of dried dill in place of fresh parsley.
- Tarragon: Replace fresh dill with an equal amount of fresh or dried tarragon. Tarragon has a slightly different taste but will still impart a nice herbal flavor to the dish.
How to Make Bloody Mary Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets or steaks (about 6 ounces each)
- 2 cup tomato juice
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Optional
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon horseradish
- Fresh dill
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, horseradish, celery salt, black pepper, lemon juice, zest, and minced garlic. Mix well to create the Bloody Mary marinade.
- Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag.
- Pour half of the Bloody Mary marinade over the salmon fillets, ensuring they are well-coated. Reserve the remaining marinade for later use.
- Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse into the salmon.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Remove the salmon from the marinade and place it in the skillet, skin-side down.
- Sear the salmon for about 2-3 minutes until the skin is golden brown.
- Pour all remaining marinade into the pan over the salmon.
- Cover, and gently simmer until it reaches a perfectly cooked consistency, approximately 10 minutes.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge, chopped fresh parsley, or a celery stick.
- Serve the Bloody Mary Salmon with rice, quinoa, or a side of roasted vegetables.
How to Store
To ensure the best taste and texture:
- Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Consume the leftovers within 3 days to ensure the best quality.
- Reheat the salmon gently to avoid overcooking or drying it out.
Tips and Tricks for Making Bloody Mary Salmon
Several tips can help you achieve the best flavor and texture when preparing a delicious Bloody Mary salmon dish.
- Always use fresh salmon. Freshness is key to preserving the taste and quality of the dish. If you can’t find fresh salmon, go for high-quality frozen fillets, but be sure to thaw them properly before use.
- Marinate the fish in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. However, up to two hours of marinating can achieve better results.
- Try adding a fun variation to your salmon. A few options are fresh dill, sliced olives, and pickles.
- Although this recipe is very easy to begin with, you can also make it simply by using a premade Bloody Mary mix from the store. This will knock off a bunch of the prep time and still give you a great taste and outcome!
What To Pair With Bloody Mary Salmon
- Pesto Potato Salad (Healthy and Easy)
- Sautéed Green Bean Salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Almonds
- Smoked Tomato Soup Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Bloody Mary Salmon is a delicious and easy dish that combines the flavors of the classic Bloody Mary cocktail with a fresh salmon fillet. The salmon is marinated in a zesty mixture, often including tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. It is then grilled or baked to perfection, with the marinade acting as a delicious glaze.
Yes, other fish such as halibut, cod, or swordfish can be used in place of salmon. The marinade and cooking method will work well with most firm, meaty fish fillets.
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Ingredients
- 4 pieces salmon fillets or steaks (about 6 ounces each
- 2 cups Tomato juice or Clamato juice
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 whole lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 Lemon wedges (for serving)
Optional
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp horseradish
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
- Fresh dill
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, horseradish, celery salt, black pepper, lemon juice, zest, and minced garlic. Mix well to create the Bloody Mary marinade.
- Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag.
- Pour half of the Bloody Mary marinade over the salmon fillets, ensuring they are well-coated. Reserve the remaining marinade for later use.
- Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse into the salmon.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Remove the salmon from the marinade and place it in the skillet, skin-side down.
- Sear the salmon for about 2-3 minutes until the skin is golden brown.
- Pour all remaining marinade into the pan over the salmon.
- Cover, and gently simmer until it reaches a perfectly cooked consistency, approximately 10 minutes.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge, chopped fresh parsley, or a celery stick.
- Serve the Bloody Mary Salmon with rice, quinoa, or a side of roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Always use fresh salmon. Freshness is key to preserving the taste and quality of the dish. If you can’t find fresh salmon, go for high-quality frozen fillets, but be sure to thaw them properly before use.
- Marinate the fish in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. However, up to two hours of marinating can achieve better results.
- Try adding a fun variation to your salmon. A few options are fresh dill, sliced olives, and pickles.
- Although this recipe is very easy to begin with, you can also make it simply by using a premade Bloody Mary mix from the store. This will knock off a bunch of the prep time and still give you a great taste and outcome!
