Roasted Salmon with Savory Rhubarb Ginger Sauce

Name: Savory Rhubarb and Salmon
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup grated ginger (or 1 1/2 inch gingerroot, grated); 1 pound Rhubarb (chopped); 1 purple onion (chopped); 1 teaspoon garlic (minced); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1/4 cup white wine; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 tablespoons honey; 1 1/2 pounds salmon filets; 2 tablespoons basil (optional)

Home » Recipes by Ingredients » Fish and Seafood » Roasted Salmon with Savory Rhubarb Ginger Sauce

Quick Summary: Salmon filets roasted with a tangy rhubarb compote made with ginger, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Quick enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for company. Prep: 30 min | Cook: 10 min | Serves: 4

Roasted salmon with a rhubarb topping garnished with green onions. — Roasted salmon with rhubarb compote topping

Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients | Directions (Step by Step) | More Rhubarb Recipes | FAQ

This tart ginger rhubarb sauce combines with tender, flaky salmon filets for a quick and easy Spring dinner. The rhubarb compote is balanced between tangy and sweet with the ginger and balsamic vinegar giving it a more nuanced flavor.

The compote comes together in a skillet while the oven preheats, then you top the salmon and roast for about 10 minutes.

It’s quick, impressive, and a good way to use rhubarb beyond pies and crisps. The sauce (compote) also works as a topping on other savory proteins like this smoked pork:

Rhubarb sauce (compote) on slices of smoked pork.

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Ingredients and Substitutions

There are only two key ingredients in this recipe: the salmon and the rhubarb. Substitutions for the ingredients making up the compote might include:

Sugar instead of honey
Red wine or white wine vinegar instead of balsamic
Lemon juice instead of white wine
Thyme instead of basil
Addition of red pepper flakes

The following photo shows you all the ingredients you will need for this recipe. For details on measurements, see the recipe below.

Ingredients for rhubarb topped roasted salmon — Ingredients: rhubarb, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger root, Thai basil, salmon filets, purple onion and salt.

How to Make Roasted Salmon with Rhubarb Sauce (Step by Step)

The full instructions and ingredient amounts are in the recipe card below. In short:

Chopped purple onion in cast iron skillet. — Step #1: Saute purple onions in skillet for 5 min or until caramelized.

Caramelized purple onions with shredded ginger in a cast iron skillet — Step #2: Add shredded ginger to the skillet and cook for a few minutes to combine.

Chopped rhubarb cooking in cast iron skillet — Step #3: Add chopped rhubarb to skillet, along with balsamic vinegar and garlic

3 salmon filets topped with rhubarb compote ready to be roasted. — Step #4: Season salmon filets, top with rhubarb mixture, and roast for 8-10 min at 400 F

Rhubarb topped salmon with a side of tossed green salad.

More Rhubarb Recipes

Rhubarb custard with streusel topping (and an Eton Mess)
Strawberry Rhubarb Cornmeal Sheet Cake (Oil Based)
Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler
Sheetpan Chicken with Rhubarb, Fennel and Asparagus

3 white ramekins of rhubarb custard with a nut streusel topping; on a red mat. — Rhubarb custard with a nut streusel topping

FAQ

Can I use frozen rhubarb?

Yes. Thaw and drain excess liquid before cooking. Fresh rhubarb holds its shape better, but frozen works for the compote.

What can I substitute for balsamic vinegar?

Red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar both work. The flavor changes slightly but remains balanced.

Is this recipe slow carb friendly?

The salmon and vegetables are slow carb compliant. The honey adds some sugar, so reduce or substitute with a sugar-free alternative for strict slow carb.

Can I make the rhubarb sauce ahead?

Yes. The compote keeps refrigerated for up to a week. Reheat gently before serving over freshly roasted salmon.

What other proteins work with rhubarb sauce?

Pork is the classic pairing. The post shows rhubarb sauce on smoked pork. Chicken and duck also work well with the tangy-sweet flavor.

If you enjoy fish and seafood, check out my most popular fish recipe for an oven-baked fish with cornmeal breading.

Oven baked fish with cornmeal breading and a chile-lime seasoning rub. Served on a blue plate with tartar sauce and a lemon wedge. — Oven baked fish with cornmeal breading and a chile-lime seasoning rub

Savory Rhubarb and Salmon

Roasted salmon cooked with an easy, savory rhubarb compote.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Servings

Calories 348

Author Dorothy Stainbrook

Equipment

Ingredients

¼ cup grated ginger or 1 1/2 inch gingerroot, grated
1 pound Rhubarb chopped
1 purple onion chopped
1 teaspoon garlic minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
¼ cup white wine
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons honey
1 ½ pounds salmon filets
2 tablespoons basil optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Prep the ingredients by grating the root ginger, dicing the rhubarb and chopping the onion.
1/4 cup grated ginger, 1 pound Rhubarb, 1 purple onion
Saute onion in oil in skillet over medium to medium high for 5-10 minutes, or until caramelized and translucent.
Add vinegar wine, garlic and salt to skillet and bring to a boil. Simmer at a low boil for 4 minutes (may have to add a little water)
1 teaspoon garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup white wine, 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add the rhubarb to the skillet, bring to a boil and then lower heat and simmer 5-6 minutes.
Stir in honey and add basil (if using). Remove from heat, cover and keep warm.
3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons basil
Place the salmon filets on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Season with salt and pepper and spread half of the rhubarb mixture on top of the filets.
Roast for 8-13 minutes, or until salmon is no longer translucent and easily flakes.
1 1/2 pounds salmon filets
Serve filets with a tossed green salad and a side of the rhubarb sauce.

Notes

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Nutrition

Calories: 348kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 35gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 378mgPotassium: 1225mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 237IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 2mg

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