Make a super flavorful filet of salmon with this pan-seared Blackened Salmon recipe. Toss salmon in a simple blackening seasoning, sear them in butter until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside and serve.
I like to serve these blackened salmon filets as salmon tacos or over rice with this black bean mango salad. I also frequently add this recipe to a bed of greens and serve it as a salmon salad with a simple dressing like this apple cider vinaigrette.
20 minute Meal
Very easy
Quick Look: Blackened Salmon
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 👩🍳 Cook Time: 12 minutes
- 🕖 Total Time: 22 minutes
- 🍣 Servings: 3 servings
- ⚡️ Calories: 406 calories per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- 🔥 Cooking Method: On the stovetop in a frying pan or cast iron skillet
- 🛒 Main Ingredients: salmon, butter and homemade blackening seasoning
- ⭐️ Difficulty: Easy! It is much easier than you think to make blackened salmon at home
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Amanda left this 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This was sooo easy and yummy. My favorite way I’ve ever prepared salmon!”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in under 25 minutes – This is the best salmon recipe for busy weeknights. This healthy dinner recipe comes together in under 25 minutes with just 10 minutes of prep and 12 minutes of cooking time.
- Uses pantry staples – Blackened salmon might sound fancy, and it definitely tastes fancy, but it is really quite easy to make. It requires just simple seasonings that you probably already have in your cabinet.
- Very flavorful – The spice blend for this blackened salmon recipe is made up of oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and paprika and it has a savory profile with just the right amount of heat. There is certainly no flavor lacking in this recipe!
- Classic blackening technique – through this recipe you will learn how to prepare a simple blackened seasoning, coat a piece of fish in it and then sear it quickly in a hot pan. Once you know this cooking technique, you can use it with any type of seafood or even chicken!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a quick look at the ingredients you need to make this blackened salmon recipe. For a full list of ingredients and amounts, please head to the full recipe.
- Salmon – this recipe uses skinless filets since both sides need to be coated with the seasoning
- Butter and olive oil – this combination of fats not only helps the blackening seasoning stick to the salmon fillet, but also gives the fish a nice crisp crust after cooking in a warm skillet
- Blackening Seasoning – combine smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, and dried oregano to make a delicious homemade blackened seasoning. To simplify this recipe you can use a store bough blackened seasoning or cajun seasoning as cajun and blackening seasoning are made with many of the same base ingredients.
If you like your salmon spicier, feel free to add a bit of cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend. I also like to add a bit of extra salt to taste after cooking.
If you are looking for another salmon recipe, try this lemon pepper salmon or BBQ glazed salmon.
How to make blackened Salmon
Step 1: Mix seasonings in a small bowl. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel and brush salmon filets with olive oil.
Step 2: Press filets into the spice mixture on the dish to coat. You will want to try to get the filets evenly coated.
Step 3: Heat butter in a large cast iron skillet. Place the filets in the pan with warm melted butter and cook for 4-5 minutes.
Step 4: Flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. Check salmon for a temperature of 135-145F with an instant read thermometer. You will also know your salmon is perfectly cooked through when it gently flakes apart with a fork.
Want to try another homemade fish recipe? Give this blackened mahi mahi or air fryer halibut a try.
Mad’s Expert Tips for the Best Blackened Salmon 🍣
- Use pantry staples to make the homemade seasoning – While you can buy blackened seasoning at the grocery store, this seasoning is so simple to make at home, and it tastes so much fresher and more flavorful.
- Cook on sides if needed – If the salmon has not reached 125F after cooking both sides, flip the salmon on its side and cook all 4 sides for 1 minute total.
- Dry the salmon very well – The salmon must be really dry before you add the seasoning in order for the blackened crust to form.
- Don’t flip too early – Make sure to wait at least 4 minutes before flipping your salmon. Flipping it too early will keep the blackened crust from forming.
If you’re looking for another blackened seafood recipe, try this blackened mahi mahi.
Recipe FAQs
What is blackened salmon made of?
Blackened salmon is made up of salmon, plus smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, and dried oregano for the seasoning.
Is the skin left on or off?
The skin is removed that way the seasoning will stick to both sides of the filet.
How is blackened salmon cooked?
It is cooked at medium to high heat with butter or another fat until a blackened crust forms.
storage and Reheating
Once prepared, transfer any leftover salmon to an airtight container in the refrigerator. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm this blackened salmon in a frying pan, air fryer, or oven until just warmed through. Be careful not to overcook it so that it remains flaky. I prefer not to microwave leftovers because it was quickly make the salmon taste dry and rubbery.
Other Easy Salmon Recipes
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Email Recipe for Later
Recipe
Blackened Salmon
Ingredients
- 3 skinless filets of salmon about 6oz each
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Mix seasonings in a small mixing bowl and pour into a shallow dish.
- Pat salmon dry with a paper towel and brush fish filets with the olive oil. Press filets into the seasoning mixture on the dish to coat- try to get the filets as evenly coated as possible.
- Heat a frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt the butter in the pan.
- Place the seasoned filets in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. If needed, flip the salmon on its sides for a minute to blacken on all 4 sides.
- Check for the interior temperature of the fish to reach 125F and remove from the pan.
- Allow the fish to cool slightly and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- If you don’t have salmon on hand, feel free to use this blackened seasoning for shrimp or another fish of your choosing. This dish is healthy, and tasty, and can be customized to your preference.
- While you can buy blackened seasoning at the grocery store, this seasoning is so simple to make at home and it tastes so much fresher and more flavorful. If you are pressed for time though, feel free to buy pre-made blackened seasoning.
- Make sure to wait at least 4 minutes before flipping your salmon. Flipping it too early will keep the blackened crust from forming.
- The salmon must be really dry before you add the seasoning in order for the blackened crust to form.
- If the salmon has not reached 125F after cooking both sides, flip the salmon on its side and cook all 4 sides for 1 minute total.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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