This Blackened Salmon recipe is the easiest way to make a delicious piece of salmon. Just sear salmon filets in a delicious homemade blackening seasoning and serve.
Quick
Beginner-friendly
You’ll Learn: The technique for a perfectly seared crust using pantry spices
Worth It: It’s a satisfying, protein-forward option that actually keeps you full
Bonus: Adaptable for tacos, bowls, or salads
the best Blackened Salmon using 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 and it will be prepped, cooked, and on the table in less than 25 minutes – not bad at all, right?
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 around of heat. There is certainly no flavor lacking in this recipe!
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 preferences.
Kitchen tools
- Mixing bowl
- Shallow dish
- Pastry brush
- Tongs or fish spatula for turning the fish
- Whisk
- Kitchen thermometer
How Do You Blacken Salmon?
Blackening is a cooking technique that involves searing meat that has been coated with a spice mixture in a hot cast-iron skillet or frying pan, typically over medium to high heat.
To make this recipe for blackened salmon, simply coat the salmon with the seasoning blend. Then, cook it in melted butter until a blackened crust forms on both sides.
Once you master the blackening technique you can use it for any type of fish. I personally love blackened mahi mahi for tacos.
Blackened Salmon Ingredients
- Salmon
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried basil
- Dried oregano
- Unsalted butter
Ingredient Substitutions
If you prefer shrimp or another fish instead of salmon, feel free to modify the recipe to your liking. This blackened seasoning is very versatile.
If you like spicy, there is an option to turn up the heat. Before cooking the salmon, just add about 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice mix.
This blackened salmon recipe can be dairy-free as well. Just sub-dairy-free butter for the regular butter.
To make this even easier you can buy a store bought blackening seasoning or a cajun seasoning blend since those two can be used interchangeably.
Serving Suggestions
This blackened salmon recipe can be enjoyed in so many ways. Two of my favorite ways to serve this dish are on top of cilantro lime rice or in tacos, both with fresh mango salsa on top.
If you want to get even more creative, you can also serve this blackened salmon as salmon bites. Just cut into cubes and cook for just a couple minutes on each side.
To make a super simple meal for busy weeknights, cut some potatoes into small cubes, toss in oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the seasoned blackened salmon on a sheet pan with the cubed potatoes. Bake it all together at 400F for 15-18 minutes and serve with fresh lemon juice.
I love cooking salmon this way for a protein source on salads. You can put the blackened fillet on top of the salmon whole OR you can flake it up with a fork and mix it into a chopped salad.
How to make blackened Salmon
Step 1: Prepare Seasoning, Mix, And Coat The Salmon
To start, mix seasonings in a small bowl and pour into a shallow dish. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel and brush salmon filets with the olive oil.
Next, press filets into the seasoning mixture on the dish to coat. You will want to try to get the filets as evenly coated as possible.
Step 2: Cook the salmon
Now, it is time to heat a frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat. 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.
Step 3: Finish Cooking And Enjoy
Lastly, check for the interior temperature of the salmon to reach 125F and remove it from the pan. Allow the blackened salmon to cool slightly and enjoy!
storage, Reheating, and Freezing
Once prepared, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Store this blackened salmon in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm this blackened salmon in a frying pan or in an air fryer or oven until just warmed through. Be careful not to overcook it so that it remains flaky.
Check out these other delicious Salmon Dishes
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!
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!
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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