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    Pink Owl Kitchen » Cajun Recipes » Easy Cajun Salmon Recipe

    Easy Cajun Salmon Recipe

    Published: Nov 4, 2022 by Ashley Boyd · This post may contain affiliate links

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    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!

    cajun salmon on a black plate with lemon slices.

    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.
    cajun salmon on a black plate with lemon slices.

    How To Make This Recipe

    1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set it aside.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Serve the salmon immediately with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!
    cajun spices in a wooden bowl.
    seasoned cajun salmon on a white cutting board.

    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
    cajun salmon with a piece broken off to show detail on a black plate.

    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!

    cajun salmon on a black plate with lemon slices.

    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!

    cajun salmon with a piece broken off to show detail on a black plate.

    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.

    cajun salmon on a black plate with lemon slices.

    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

    • Baking sheet
    • Pastry brush
    • Fish spatula
    cajun salmon on a black plate with lemon slices.

    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
    cajun salmon with a piece broken off to show detail on a black plate.

    Cajun Salmon Recipe (Quick and Easy!)

    Ashley
    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!
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 17 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Cajun
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 313 kcal

    Equipment

    • Baking sheet
    • Pastry brush
    • Fish spatula

    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 1.6gProtein: 39.5gFat: 15.5gSaturated Fat: 3.8gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 378mgPotassium: 998mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 0.6gCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword baked salmon, cajun salmon, easy salmon recipes, quick salmon recipe, salmon dinner recipes, spicy salmon, weeknight salmon
    Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

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    Hi! I'm Ashley.

    I am a new mom, wife, and creator of all you see here at Pink Owl Kitchen. All of our recipes are influenced by my southern upbringing and are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients to encourage families to come together around the dinner table more!

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