Our Blackened Salmon is an absolutely delicious, flavorful salmon recipe that is so easy to make! Perfect with dill sauce or in a salmon caesar salad! An easy weeknight dinner that your whole family will love.
The BEST Blackened Salmon Recipe
If you are at all on the fence about making salmon at home, you have to try this recipe! It is so simple and delicious – a dish I just keep coming back to. First, you will coat them in an amazing blackened seasoning mixture, give them a quick sear, and then finish cooking them in the oven. In a matter of minutes you will have restaurant-quality salmon!
Love These Blackened Flavors?
If you love them as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Blackened Chicken or Blackened Shrimp!
What You Will Need
- salmon fillets – we love using fresh salmon fillets with the skin on the bottom. You could also use frozen salmon but you will want to make sure it is fully thawed before prepping.
- blackened seasoning – we love this blackened seasoning that is super easy to throw together – such an amazing blend of spice that tastes amazing!
- olive oil – a little on the salmon and a little in the pan to give your fillets that perfect sear.
How To Cook Blackened Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel.
Mix up the blackened seasoning ingredients and use it to coat the outside of the salmon fillets.
Drizzle a little olive oil on top of the fillets. Give them a quick rub to make sure they are fully covered in seasoning and olive oil.
Place the fillets (skin-side up) in a hot cast iron skillet to give them a quick sear – this creates an amazing crust! Flip the fillets over and place the skillet in the oven at 400 degrees F.
Cook them for about 10-14 minutes, or until fully cooked.
Best Ways To Serve Blackened Salmon
We love serving this with a nice dollop of salmon dill sauce, jasmine rice, and some roasted broccolini – you could use cauliflower rice if you prefer too! It would also be great on top of a Salmon Caesar Salad or in these Blackened Salmon Tacos!
Recipe FAQ
- How Should I Cook Blackened Salmon? In this recipe we seared the fillets in a cast iron skillet and then transferred the skillet to the oven to finish cooking the salmon at 400 degrees F. Another great option would be to grill the salmon. If you prefer that option, simply prepare the salmon as-directed and then follow our instructions on how to grill salmon!
- Spice: feel free to add a bit more cayenne pepper if you want it extra spicy.
- How do you know if salmon is done? Gently press down on the top of the fillet with a fork to see if the salmon flakes, meaning that the flesh easily separates from each other at the white lines that run across the fillet. You could also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Fully cooked salmon should reach 145 degrees F at it’s thickest part (per USDA). If you want a medium finish to your fish then look for a temperature between 125-130 degrees F.
- Should you eat the skin on salmon? This is totally up to you! It is completely safe to eat the skin. Some people eat it and some people choose not to eat it. We like to cook it with the skin on, but then we remove it from the skin when eating. You could also cut the skin off the salmon fillet before cooking, if you want.
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Other Recipes You Might Like
Grilled Salmon Salad
Teriyaki Salmon Bowl
Smoked Salmon Salad
Salmon Poke Bowl
Blackened Salmon (+ Dill Sauce)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Stove Top + Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
An absolutely delicious Blackened Salmon recipe that is so easy to make! Perfect with dill sauce or in a salad!
Ingredients
Dill Sauce:
- 1/2 cup sour cream (regular or dairy-free)
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Blackened Salmon:
- 4–6 (6oz) salmon fillets, skin-on
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
Instructions
- Make Sauce: Combine the Salmon Dill Sauce ingredients in a small bowl; stir to combine. Taste and adjust any flavors, as necessary. Store in fridge until ready.
- Prep: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Pat salmon dry with clean paper towel.
- Make Seasoning: Combine blackened seasoning: paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, chipotle pepper, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Cover salmon with blackened seasoning
- Oil: Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over seasoned salmon; rub into each fillet.
- Sear: Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add 1 tablespoon of oil; swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Sear salmon (skin-side up) for approx. 1-3 minutes (or until there is a good char). Flip salmon over so skin side is down.
- Bake: Move the entire pan to the oven (middle rack and uncovered) and let cook 10-14 minutes or until fully cooked (it should flake apart easily with a fork).*
- Serve: Carefully remove from oven and serve immediately with the Dill Sauce.
Notes
- Serving Suggestions: we love using this in a Salmon Caesar Salad! Otherwise, serve with roasted broccolini and baked potato or some brown rice OR in a Blackened Salmon Taco.
- Grilled Salmon: simply use the blackened seasoning and follow our post on how to grill salmon!
- Spice: feel free to add a bit more cayenne pepper if you want it extra spicy.
- *Internal temp of salmon: fully cooked salmon should reach 145 degrees F. at it’s thickest part (per USDA). If you want a medium finish to your fish then look for a temperature between 125-130 degrees F.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with dill sauce
- Calories: 396
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 468.2 mg
- Fat: 24.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.8 g
- Protein: 40.2 g
- Cholesterol: 97.5 mg
Carrie says
This is so easy and SO delicious. Don’t skip the dill sauce it’s fabulous. This recipe has turned my non-salmon-liker husband into a salmon fan!!
Tracey says
My husband and I love this recipe! I’ve made it a few times, and it never disappoints. Perfect amount of spice, and the cooking technique is perfect. Thank you, Erin!
Bridget Montag says
Awesome – so glad you are loving it! Thanks for the review, Tracey!
Shaun says
This is delicious! I served it over some creamy grits with roasted brussel sprouts & it was amazing. Thank you!
Kim Robinson says
This was really good – a bit too spicy for my (I’m a bit of a spice wimp) but my husband thought it was perfect! The dill sauce was an excellent addition! This will go in regular rotation! I served this with roasted butternut squash and green beans! 👩🍳
Hannah Chapman says
This is hands-down my favorite Wooden Skillet recipe! It’s easy to follow, the ingredients are simple, and it is DELICIOUS! The way the salmon crisps up in the oven gives those yummy Cajun spices just the right amount punch. Pair it with the creamy dill sauce and you’re set. So good.
Eileen says
We made this for the third time last night. I just wanted to thank you for the recipe! It’s so good and so easy! The sauce is yummy too.