Blackened Salmon

A quick and flavorful blackened salmon recipe made with a bold homemade Cajun-inspired seasoning blend. Crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, this easy salmon recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and comes together in under 20 minutes.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Cajun-inspired

Keyword blackened salmon, cajun salmon, cast iron salmon, easy salmon recipe, homemade blackened seasoning, spicy salmon recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 292kcal

Equipment

Large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan
Small mixing bowl
Measuring spoons
Fish spatula or spatula

Ingredients

For the Salmon

4 salmon fillets about 6 ounces each
1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

Blackened Seasoning

2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, basil, and oregano. Mix until evenly combined.
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil or melted butter.
Generously coat the salmon fillets with the blackened seasoning mixture.
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
Place the salmon in the skillet skin-side up and cook for 4–5 minutes without moving until a dark crust forms.
Carefully flip the salmon and cook skin-side down for another 3–5 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches your desired doneness.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges, rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. Perfect with Lemon Dill Sauce.

Notes

For less heat, reduce the cayenne pepper to ½ teaspoon.
Cast iron works best for achieving that classic blackened crust.
Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets.
Extra seasoning can be stored in an airtight jar for future use.
Serve with Creamy Lemon Dill Sauce. Yum!

Nutrition