Cajun Salmon is a quick, tasty recipe that you can have on the dinner table in a matter of minutes. Loaded with flavor and the perfect amount of heat, this flaky salmon dish will become a new family favorite!
Salmon is always on rotation in our home because of how quickly it can be prepared and its versatility. Leave it to me to add cajun spice to just about anything you can think of and lucky for you, it tastes AMAZING on this flaky salmon!
For more easy dinner recipes, check out our Maple Glazed Salmon and Cajun Smothered Chicken recipes next!
Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe
- Cajun Spice Blend. A homemade cajun spice blend with the perfect amount of heat and a hint of sweetness.
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Brown sugar
- Dried thyme
- Dried oregano
- Cracked black pepper. Use as much or as little as you like. I like lots of cracked black pepper!
- Atlantic salmon. I recommend wild-caught, skin-on salmon, however, farm-raised and/or skinless salmon works fine as well.
- Melted butter. To coat the salmon and help the spices stick to the flesh.
- Lemon wedges. For serving. Fresh lemon juice is the perfect complement to cajun salmon.
How To Make This Recipe
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set it aside.
- Add the paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, brown sugar, thyme, and oregano to a small bowl and use a fork to mix all the spices together.
- Rinse the salmon and pat it dry with paper towels. Brush the flesh side of each salmon piece with melted butter. Season the salmon with the cajun spice blend and use your fingers to pat the spices into the fish.
- Transfer the salmon to the lined sheet pan and cook in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then turn on the oven broiler and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Serve the salmon immediately with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!
Variations and Substitutions
Although this recipe calls for Atlantic salmon, the following types of salmon can be used as well:
- Coho salmon
- Sockeye salmon
- King salmon
You can substitute some of the following types of fish if salmon is not available:
- Artic char
- Trout
- Bass
- Amberjack
- Or flaky white fish such as cod, grouper, tilapia, or haddock
What Other Spices Pair Well With Salmon?
Salmon pairs well with a long list of spices and herbs. Some of my favorites are:
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Lemon pepper
- Mustard powder
- Dill
- Parsley
- Tarragon
- Basil
This salmon also tastes amazing with our all-purpose Homemade Cajun Seasoning!
What To Serve With Cajun Salmon
I'm having a hard time thinking of a side dish that doesn't pair well with cajun salmon! Try it with some of these for starters:
- Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Southern Candied Yams
- Southern Collard Greens
- Roasted Green Beans
- Creamy Southern Cheese Grits
- Cajun Dirty Rice With Smoked Sausage
- Southern Hushpuppies
- Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Can Cajun Salmon Be Cooked In An Air Fryer?
Absolutely! This cajun salmon recipe is a breeze to make either way, but feel free to cook it up in the air fryer if you like.
Just cook the salmon in your air fryer for 8 minutes at 400°F. That's it!
What About on the Stovetop?
You can also make cajun salmon in a skillet on the stovetop. I recommend a medium cast-iron or nonstick heavy-bottomed skillet. This 10-inch Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet is my favorite!
To cook this salmon on the stovetop, heat two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the salmon for 3-4 minutes on each side until cooked to your liking.
How To Get Crispy Salmon Skin
Crispy salmon skin is not only incredibly delicious, but it's also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B and D, and minerals like niacin and phosphorus.
To get crispy skin on this cajun salmon, cook the skin side of the salmon in a skillet with extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes before placing it in the oven.
Be sure to take a few minutes off the oven time so the salmon does not overcook.
Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions
I do not recommend making this salmon ahead of time as it tastes its best freshly cooked.
However, you can season the salmon ahead of time and refrigerate it anywhere from 30 minutes up to overnight until ready to cook.
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
More Cajun Recipes You Will Love!
- Cajun Crawfish Etouffee
- New Orleans Remoulade Sauce
- Authentic Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
- Creamy Cajun Mushroom Pasta
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Corn Chowder
📖 Recipe
Cajun Salmon Recipe (Quick and Easy!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teapsoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar dark or light
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 ½ pounds Atlantic salmon skin on, wild-caught or farm-raised
- 1 tablespoon melted butter unsalted
- Cracked black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set it aside.
- Add the paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, brown sugar, thyme, and oregano to a small bowl and use a fork to mix all the spices together.
- Rinse the salmon and pat it dry with paper towels. Using a pastry brush, coat the flesh side of each salmon piece with melted butter. Season the salmon with the cajun spice blend and use your fingers to pat the spices into the fish.
- Transfer the salmon to the lined sheet pan and cook in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then turn on the oven broiler and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Serve the salmon immediately with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!
Notes
- Skinless salmon also works for this recipe.
- You can season the salmon ahead of time and refrigerate it anywhere from 30 minutes up to overnight until ready to cook.
- Leftover cajun salmon can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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