Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (2024)

Home » Dinner » Seafood » Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe)

Published: · Modified: by Maggie · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

This blackened salmon recipe explains how to make blackened salmon and what sides pair well with it. This recipe comes together in 15 minutes and is a great weeknight dinner meal!

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (1)

We are nearly through with salmon season and what better way to finish it than with a blackened salmon recipe. I have been eating salmon since I was in college. My dad doesn't care for salmon all that much, but we did eat a lot of walleye growing up. Blackened salmon is one of my favorite ways to cook salmon and you can adjust the spices based on how "blackened" you want it.

It is no surprise how good salmon is for you! It is full of omega 3 fatty acids and protein. But did you know that it also has SO much vitamin D!? Great to get in some vitamin D for the winter months ahead. It is also high in vitamin B12, which is an antioxidant.

Other health benefits of salmon include:

  • Joint health
  • Decreased risk of cancer
  • Eye health
  • Improved cognition
  • Improved mood
  • Heart health benefits

What is Blackened Salmon?

Blackened salmon is a style of cooking with spices over high heat. This method is traditionally done on the stovetop in a frying pan with butter. However, for this recipe we will be using avocado oil or another high heat cooking oil.

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (2)

What You Will Need

You will need a pan, preferably nonstick. A seasoned cast iron skillet will work here too. I prefer to use avocado oil for cooking at high heat because it has a higher melting point than other oils. This means that the fat in the oil will not become saturated as quickly as other oils. If you do not have avocado oil, grapeseed, walnut, olive or canola oil will still get the job done.

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (3)

I used a filet of salmon with the skin-on. Leaving the skin on makes the salmon skin get nice and crispy. I always peel or cut it away before eating though. If you buy a filet with the skin-off it makes it a little easier.

How to Cook Blackened Salmon

To cook blackened salmon you will need a small dish to make up the blackening spice blend. Once you have the spice blend mixed. Pat the salmon dry and sprinkle the seasoning over one side of the salmon filet. If you have a skin-on piece of salmon it will be the flesh side.

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (4)

First, pour the oil into the frying pan and set the heat to medium/high. Once the oil is hot, add the salmon, flesh or spice side down. Sear for two minutes and flip the salmon filet over and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until the salmon is cooked to your liking.

Some people like a medium-done piece of salmon. Others like it fully cooked through, so if you have a meat thermometer make sure the internal temperature reaches 145F.

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (5)

What Sides go with Blackened Salmon?

The possibilities are endless here. Most blackened seasoning goes well with tropical flavors, such as pineapple or creole blends. I love to do a simple potato recipe and a roasted green vegetable.

Some ideas might include:

  • Cauliflower mash with roasted asparagus
  • Brown rice/quinoa with roasted broccoli or green beans
  • Blackened salmon tacos with pineapple guacamole

What Wines go with Blackened Salmon?

Most seafood is paired with white wines. Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are great red wine pairings if you are partial to reds.

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (6)

Check out this video for how to make blackened salmon!

Don't forget to PIN IT for later!

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (7)

Print

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (8)

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe)

  • Author: Maggie
  • Total Time: 13 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This blackened salmon recipe explains how to make blackened salmon and what sides to pair it with! This recipe comes together in 15 minutes and is a great weeknight dinner meal.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 12-16 ounces salmon filet
  • 2 tbsp oil (avocado is best, other cooking oils will work)
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • ¾ tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all the spices into a small bowl or glass dish. Mix to combine.

  2. Pat salmon dry and rub spice blend onto one side of the salmon. If you are using a skin-on filet, rub the spice onto the flesh side.

  3. Pour oil into a non-stick pan or cast iron skillet over medium/high heat.
  4. Once the oil is hot, place the salmon, seasoned side down onto the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes on this side, then flip over.

  5. Cooking time might vary depending on thickness of salmon and how well you like your salmon cooked. I like mine fully cooked, so it was cooked 2 minutes on one side and 3 minutes on the other side until no longer pink in the middle.
  6. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Notes

If you have a meat thermometer, cook until internal temperature reaches 145F.

Nutrition was calculated using 12 ounces of salmon.

  • Prep Time: 3 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: frying, sautéing
  • Cuisine: cajun, creole

Recipe Card powered byBlackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (9)

If you love salmon check out my other salmon recipes:

  • Salmon Burger with a dill caper aioli
  • Maple Salmon Sheet pan Salmon Dinner
  • Salmon Orzo Salad

« Instant Pot Chicken Soup (Salsa Verde)

Blackened Salmon Tacos with Avocado Pineapple Guacamole »

Subscribe

for your weekly recipe fix.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (10)Barbara

    Very good! Thank you so much. My husband and I enjoyed this salmon. 👍

    Reply

    • Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (11)Maggie

      wonderful! Thank you!

      Reply

  2. Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (12)Walter

    Solid salmon recipe, nice and spicy.

    Reply

  3. Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (13)Holly

    Love this blackened salmon recipe! The videos were so easy to follow!

    Reply

  4. Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (14)Trese

    Hi! I tried this with fresh salmon and it was excellent. Think it could also work with frozen?

    Reply

    • Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (15)Maggie

      Hi! Yes I have made this recipe with frozen salmon (but I thawed it first!) Thank you for making!! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Blackened Salmon (How-to + recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is blackened salmon made of? ›

Popular blackening spices include garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. While I love these vibrant spices all together, if you prefer your salmon with a little less kick, try this Pan Seared Salmon recipe. My personal tip is to add a little brown sugar to the blackening rub.

What's the difference between blackened salmon and regular salmon? ›

Grilled salmon is typically seasoned with salt and pepper, while blackened salmon is seasoned with a spice mixture that includes cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. This gives blackened salmon a more smoky and flavorful taste.

What is the best way to do salmon? ›

Pan-frying or pan-searing is one of the best ways to cook salmon fillets. It's quick, easy, and gives the fish that perfect crispy, crunchy skin. A simple pan-fried salmon is the secret to a flavorful and healthy weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.

What to season salmon with? ›

Salmon does not need much seasoning to be flavorful. You can season it with just salt and black pepper or with a combination of lemon juice, fresh herbs, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, butter, minced garlic, and any other flavors you desire. 3. Dry the salmon to ensure crispy skin.

What is the blackened method of cooking? ›

When blackened, the food is dipped in melted butter, then dredged in a combination of herbs and spices, before being cooked in a hot pan (traditionally cast iron). The result is pieces of meat or fish with a deep brown to black crust around the outside.

Is it better to bake or pan fry salmon? ›

If you enjoy a crispy exterior, then pan seared salmon is the way to go. Baking salmon is a great option for a larger piece of fish (try this Baked Salmon in Foil for an easy technique).

Is blackened salmon healthy to eat? ›

Sure, the name says it, but Healthy Blackened Salmon is really healthy. It's made without oil, butter, or cream. Instead, it uses the natural fats in the fish to keep it juicy and moist. The mix of herbs and spices give it all its flavour.

Is blackened fish healthy? ›

Keep it Healthy: Frying seafood with a breaded coating is a popular way to cook fish, but not the healthiest choice. The cooking technique known as "blackening," however, provides a lot of flavor to fish (or poultry or meat), but with little sodium and no saturated fat.

Is blackened salmon good for you? ›

It's packed with healthy fats and will fill you up. If you're looking for a well-rounded meal that takes minimal time and effort, blackened salmon is a great option. Not only is this baked salmon recipe extremely good for you, but it's also delicious and easy to make.

What not to do when cooking salmon? ›

5 Common Mistakes That We All Make When Cooking Salmon
  1. Not removing pin bones. Fact: Most salmon fillets have pin bones in them. ...
  2. Mistreating the skin. ...
  3. Using the wrong pan. ...
  4. Overcooking your fish. ...
  5. Reheating leftover salmon.
May 17, 2021

What makes salmon taste better? ›

I'm talking about brining! Soaking salmon in a simple, quick brine for as little as 10 minutes (up to overnight, if you like planning ahead) is all it takes. To make it happen you need two very basic ingredients: water and salt. Combine 1 tablespoon of salt for every cup of water.

What do you soak salmon in before cooking? ›

Before cooking salmon, you can soak it in a marinade or a brine to enhance its flavor and texture. Here are a few common options: Citrus Marinade: Combine lemon or lime juice with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs like dill or parsley. Allow the salmon to marinate in this mixture for 30 minutes to an hour.

What should I put on top of my salmon? ›

A creamy but slightly tangy sauce works really well with salmon, and it's why sour cream-dill sauce over salmon is such a classic. Try mixing in curry powder, Sriracha, or scallions into yogurt or crème fraîche for an easy, elegant salmon topper.

What sauce goes with salmon? ›

Creamy Horseradish Dill Sauce

Salmon and dill is a classic flavor combo. Mayo is the base of this creamy dill sauce for salmon. It's transformed into a sauce with basic ingredients like shallots, lemon, and herbs. To make it special, the addition of freshly grated horseradish root adds spice.

What herb or spice goes well with salmon? ›

Three herbs that always go well with salmon include rosemary, thyme and basil. Rosemary is an especially nice choice if baking your salmon, as you can lay whole sprigs in the bottom of your baking dish or on your parchment paper-lined sheet pan, and then lay the salmon filet directly onto the fresh rosemary.

Is blackened salmon healthier? ›

Sure, the name says it, but Healthy Blackened Salmon is really healthy. It's made without oil, butter, or cream. Instead, it uses the natural fats in the fish to keep it juicy and moist. The mix of herbs and spices give it all its flavour.

What's the difference between Cajun and blackened? ›

The main difference in cajun and blackening seasons is most of the blackening blends have sugar of some sort in them to create the blackening when they caramelize.

What's the difference between grilled and blackened salmon? ›

Originally Answered: What is the difference between blackened and grilled? Food that is grilled simply means it is cooked on a grill, over coals, open flame or gas. Food that is blackened is coated with a traditional Cajun seasoning, then seared ay very high heat. It can be quite spicy and very delicious.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 6101

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.