This Blackened Salmon recipe is seasoned with bold spices. It makes a delicious dinner, in just 15 minutes! The mix of crispy and tender textures is divine, perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.

A close up of Salmon

This Blackened Salmon recipe is a versatile dish that can be paired with so many sides, perfect mix it up for your weeknight meal plan. An addictive blend of savory, spicy and sweet seasonings are coated on each fish fillet, adding delicious flavors and textures while it cooks.

How To Make This Blackened Salmon Recipe – Step By Step 

While the oil heats, sprinkle the flesh side of the fillets with salt. Spread the Blackened Seasoning on a plate and press the flesh-side of the salmon into the seasoning. 
 
When the skillet and oil are ready, remove the skillet from the heat. Press the salmon fillets, one-at-a-time (flesh side down) into the oil in the skillet. Set the skillet back over medium heat and cook about 2-3 minutes or until the salmon is blackened but not burned.
 
Turn the salmon fillets over and continue cooking (skin side down) until the skin is crispy, 4-6 minutes.
Transfer the fillets to a serving platter, sprinkle with lemon zest and juice and serve immediately.
 
Enjoy!

fish seasoning

blackened salmons in a skillet

overhead shot of blackened salmon recipe

What Is Blackened Salmon?

Blackened Salmon is a style of cooking which involves coating the salmon with butter and a special spice seasoning, and then frying it over a very high flame. It creates salmon with crispy coating and tender flaky middle. The balance of heat, savory notes, and sweetness from the spices get enhanced when cooked in the oil to help the fat-soluble flavors intensify.

salmon and green beans

4 salmon fillets on a plate

How Long Does Cooked Salmon Last In The Fridge?

 There are countless ways to prepare salmon. Because it’s a healthy option with a quick cook time, it’s perfect for those who meal prep. 

According to the USDA, cooked salmon leftovers should be eaten within three to four days. However, you can technically store the leftovers for up to seven days tops, although you will be compromising both taste and safety.

What Goes With This Blackened Salmon Recipe

This blackened salmon is a versatile dish, green beans and asparagus are good when in season. Or keep it simple and low calorie by just pairing a salmon fillet with a simple green salad and skipping the starch. Since blackened salmon is a kind of Cajun dish, you could go with more traditional Southern sides if you wanted. I like to pair this with these green beans and bacon.

close up of fillet

fork and salmon fillet

Top Tips For This Blackened Salmon Recipe

  • Make sure your oil is really hot, before adding the salmon, to the point of smoking. 
  • Adding a small amount of brown sugar to the blackening spice mixture not only adds a hint of sweetness but also accelerates the browning on the surface of the fish. 
  • For extra crispy salmon you can leave the skin on.
  • Sprinkle with lemon zest.

close up of blackened salmon on plate

More Salmon Dishes We Love

Have you tried this Blackened Salmon recipe? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Recipe Card

Easy Blackened Salmon

4.78 from 9 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Becky Hardin
blackened salmon featured image
This Blackened Salmon recipe is seasoned with bold spices. It makes a delicious dinner, in just 15 minutes! The mix of crispy and tender textures is divine, perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner.

Save this recipe!
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you, plus new recipes weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons canola or light olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
  • 2-3 tablespoons Homemade Blackened Seasoning or store bought
  • 4 6-ounce salmon fillets, skin on, bones removed
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme leaves only
  • 1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves
  • 1 lemon zest & juice

Instructions 

  • Heat the oil (to smoking) in a cast iron or similar skillet set over medium heat.
  • While the oil heats, sprinkle the flesh side of the fillets with salt. Spread the Blackened Seasoning on a plate and press the flesh-side of the salmon into the seasoning. The salmon should have a heavy coating of seasoning.
  • When the skillet and oil are ready, remove the skillet from the heat. Press the salmon fillets, one-at-a-time (flesh side down) into the oil in the skillet. Set the skillet back over medium heat and cook about 2-3 minutes or until the salmon is blackened but not burned. Turn the salmon fillets over and continue cooking (skin side down) until the skin is crispy, 4-6 minutes.
  • Transfer the fillets to a serving platter, sprinkle with lemon zest and juice and serve immediately.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Calories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 35gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 659mgPotassium: 964mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 241IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

 

 

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.78 from 9 votes (8 ratings without comment)
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




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

2 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Diane Graham-Ingham
Diane Graham-Ingham
August 27, 2021 6:31 pm

This spice recipe is the best ever!!!
A good salmon and this spice blend is 5 Star restaurant quality.
Last night I used the spice blend on colassal shrimp. Delish!

Thank you for sharing5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
September 3, 2021 12:19 pm

Thanks for stopping by!