Cajun Salmon

This Cajun salmon is pan seared with a special mix of spices! It comes out crisp, blackened and full of flavor: the perfect easy dinner.

Want a salmon recipe to impress? This Cajun Salmon is so tender and full of savory flavor, everyone around the table will fall head over heels. This beautiful piece of fish has a crispy blackened top, seasoned with a special blend of homemade Cajun spices. It packs a bit of heat, just enough to make you immediately want another bite. Even better: pan searing salmon is the fastest and easiest way to cook it! Just a few minutes in a blazing hot pan, and you’ve got dinner.

The key: homemade Cajun seasoning

The key to this Cajun salmon? Make it with our Homemade Cajun Seasoning! While you can find it homemade, this blend is truly unique and brings in the best savory flavor. It also has just the right amount of heat, which can vary in store-bought varieties.

Every Cajun chef has their own special blend, so there’s no “true” definition of exactly what spices should be included. Our research found there are certain heavy hitters in Cajun cuisine: paprika, garlic, onion, cumin, and of course, cayenne for the heat! We added fennel seed for an even more pronounced savory flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to make Cajun seasoning:

• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Thyme
• Fennel seed (optional)
• Cumin
• Cayenne
• Salt and black pepper

Best salmon to buy

The other main ingredient in Cajun salmon is of course, the fish! You’ll want a great piece of salmon for this recipe. It can be overwhelming to find the right variety at the store, so here’s what we look for:

• Buy wild caught salmon. Fish that is wild caught in your country is usually a sustainable choice. There are also quality options in well-regulated farms; see Seafood Watch Consumer Guide.
• Coho is a good choice. Coho salmon has great flavor and is a good mid-range option. Avoid Atlantic salmon as it is typically farmed salmon.
• Make sure to buy skin on. You’ll need skin-on salmon for this recipe.

How to make Cajun salmon: the basic steps!

Once you’ve got your ingredients, you’re 10 minutes away from a great piece of Cajun salmon. The technique you’ll use is pan searing: you’ll cook a few minutes on each side. It’s also called “blackening” because the salmon gets a blackened crust on top! This is a technique used in Cajun cooking. (For a variation on this recipe with less heat, see Blackened Salmon.) Here’s how to make blackened Cajun salmon:

• Brine the salmon. Place the salmon in a salt water solution for 15 minutes. This also allows the salmon to come to room temperature, which is important for even cooking. If you’d like, use this time for mixing up the Cajun spices.
• Add Cajun seasoning. Pat the salmon dry and season it with the Cajun spices.
• Use an aluminum or cast iron pan! You’ll get the best sear from a stainless steel or cast iron skillet. Don’t use non stick!
• Cook skin side up for about 3 minutes, then flip and cook 2 to 5. Cook the fillets over medium high heat until they’re cooked about halfway. Then flip and cook until just tender and pink at the center (measure using a food thermometer to 130 degrees Fahrenheit). The exact timing for when it’s done varies based on the thickness of the fish.

Sides to serve with Cajun salmon

Now that you’ve cooked that beautiful piece of Cajun salmon: what sides go with salmon to make a healthy dinner? There are lots of side dishes that have a Cajun flair that would work well here. Here are some of our favorites:

• Okra. Pop this Roasted Okra in the oven while you’re searing the fish. It’s the best way to cook okra because it avoids the slime! (Yep, read more in the recipe.)
• Peppers and onions. These Sauteed Peppers and Onions or Sauteed Peppers are colorful and a beautiful pairing. Or fire up the oven for Roasted Bell Peppers or Roasted Peppers and Onions.
• Black eyed peas: Try Black Eyed Pea Salad or Easy Creamy Black Eyed Peas.
• Brussels sprouts: Add a recipe of tangy Crispy Brussels Sprouts or Brussels Sprouts with Maple Glaze to the mix.
• Fries: Why not? Add World’s Best Sweet Potato Fries, Sweet Potato Wedges, Carrot Fries, or Perfect Seasoned Fries.

Cleaning the pan after making Cajun salmon

After you make this Cajun salmon, you might notice that the pan has a thin layer of blackened spices on the bottom. This is perfectly natural! And there’s a perfectly natural easy way to clean the pan, too.

• Deglaze the pan with water. Place the pan back on the stove with water inside, and heat it over medium heat. Use a spatula to gently scrape up the blackened bits as they start to loosen. They should all come up, just like when you use a liquid to deglaze during the cooking process.
• Use a non-toxic kitchen cleaner. If you have bits that are really stuck, we like to use a cleaner like Bon Ami.

More easy salmon recipes

Love salmon? It’s one of the most popular fish in America these days. Here are a few more easy ways to cook it that we often find on our table:

• Quick Broiled Salmon Another fast way to cook salmon? Broiled! It’s flaky and full of savory flavor, and it takes only 10 minutes to cook.
• Pistachio Crusted Salmon or Pecan Crusted Salmon This baked salmon comes together in minutes and tastes like restaurant quality.
• Lemon Garlic Salmon Make this zingy salmon topped with lemon butter sauce.
• Simple Salmon Bowl Add salmon and broccoli, and drizzle with tahini sauce or miso sauce
• Classic Salmon Burgers or Salmon Cakes Try it formed into burgers with creamy remoulade sauce or tartar sauce!
• Easy Pan Seared Salmon Here it is, pan seared with lemon and clean flavors. A favorite easy way to cook fish in a flash, and the flavor is unbeatable.
• Pesto Salmon Bright green basil pesto is a natural fit with baked fish! An easy weeknight meal that also works to impress guests.
• Easy Oven Baked Salmon or Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus Comes out perfectly tender and flaky!

This Cajun salmon recipe is…

Pescatarian, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Print