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Home » Dinner » Easy Blackened Salmon (Video)

Easy Blackened Salmon (Video)

Last updated on October 12, 2021. Originally posted on June 22, 2019 By Tania Sheff

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Perfectly seasoned, tender, and very easy to make, this Blackened Salmon makes a great dinner, worthy of a special occasion. Follow my step-by-step photo and video instructions and surprise your special someone with this elegant meal.

Flaked Blackened Salmon closeup image

This Blackened Salmon is seared to perfection and coated in a scrumptious combination of paprika, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne. The fish is tender and succulent on the inside, and it has a nice, spice-infused crust on the outside.

Searing salmon in a hot pan is one of our favorite ways to eat salmon, and this recipe is one I make often for our family. You really can’t go wrong with this recipe. It comes together fast, making it perfect for any night of the week.

Watch How to Make this Blackened Salmon

Blackened Salmon Spice Mix

This Blackened Salmon recipe is as easy as coating the fillets in a spice mix and searing on each side. The mix is made with:

  • Paprika.
  • Onion Powder.
  • Dried Oregano
  • Cayenne.
  • Salt & Pepper.

Even though the ingredient list is short, this spice mix packs a TON of flavor and creates a beautiful crust.

How to Make Blackened Salmon

1. Make a spice mix by mixing all of the spice ingredients together.

mixing the spices together to season the salmon

2. Coat the salmon fillets with a small amount of oil.

rubbing oil onto the salmon fillets

3. Generously sprinkle the fillets with the spice mix all over.

Seasoning the salmon fillets with the spice mix

4. In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the fillets and cook for about 4-5 minutes, until crispy and blackened. Flip the fish over and cook an additional 4-6 minutes (the time will depend on thickness). If the salmon is browning too quickly, then turn down the heat.

searing the salmon on the skillet

What Salmon to Buy

I prefer using skin-on salmon for this recipe. The skin keeps the fish very moist and it provides a safety layer between your fish’s flesh and a hot pan. Skin helps to hold the shape and prevents the delicate flesh from breaking. Choose salmon fillets that are about 6 oz. each and not too thick so that the fish will be cooked on the interior by the time the exterior is blackened. 

Helpful Tips

  • Use the right skillet. A good quality, heavy-bottomed, non-stick pan will work the best. It will save you unnecessary stress of salmon sticking to the pan.
  • Remove Salmon from the fridge. It is best when your salmon is at room temperature when you cook it. This helps to make sure the fish will cook evenly. Just take the salmon out of the refrigerator about 1 hour before you start cooking for the best results.
  • Dry the fillets. Make sure to pat the fillets with a paper towel before applying the oil. This step will help you spread the oil evenly.
  • Grease the salmon. Applying oil to the salmon before the seasoning will help the spices adhere better and create a better crust.
  • Be patient! Let the salmon cook properly before flipping it onto the other side. Too much flipping may cause the salmon fillets to break.
Blackened Salmon on a bed of zucchini noodles

How to Sear Blackened Salmon

The cooking time will depend on a few factors:

  • The type of skillet is used
  • How hot the skillet actually is
  • How thick your salmon fillets are
  • How do you like your salmon done

It should take about 4-6 minutes per side, searing the salmon over medium heat, to get it to medium-well doneness. While searing, keep your eyes on the fillets, and if they look halfway cooked – flip them. If your fillets are rather thin, it may take only 2-3 minutes per side to cook them.

You can use an instant-read thermometer to check how done your salmon is. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet and make sure the temperature reaches 150ºF.

What to Serve with Blackened Salmon

SALAD. Any fresh salad will pair well with this dish! This Tomato Salad and Zucchini Salad are among my favorites.

GRAINS. White/brown rice, quinoa, lentils, Bulgur (cracked wheat), farro, or barley. I especially recommend serving it with Mushroom or Spinach Risotto!

PASTA. Serve this Cajun Salmon over your favorite pasta or couscous. Try this SUPER EASY Angel Hair Pasta!

VEGETABLES. Roasted or steamed asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini, green beans… The list is endless. Check out this Oven Roasted Vegetables recipe!

Flaked Blackened Salmon with zucchini Noodles

More Tasty Salmon Dinners to Fall in Love with:

  • Cajun Salmon (simple, fast, and TASTY)
  • Salmon in Roasted Pepper Sauce (one of the most loved recipes on Cooktoria)
  • Easy Salmon Patties (foolproof and insanely good)
  • Salmon Burgers with Avocado Salsa (perfect for summer entertaining)
  • Easy Lemon Butter Salmon (classic and easy)
  • Spinach Stuffed Salmon (elegant and worthy of a special occasion)

Easy Blackened Salmon

Tania Sheff
Perfectly seasoned, tender, and very easy to make, this Blackened Salmon makes a great dinner, worthy of a special occasion.
4.67 from 12 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 326 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz. each)
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil (divided) or grapeseed oil

Spice Mix

  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • ½ tsp. cayenne

Instructions
 

  • Make a spice mix by mixing all of the spice ingredients together.
  • Coat the salmon fillets with a small amount of oil.
  • Generously sprinkle the fillets with the spice mix all over.
  • In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the fillets and cook for about 4-5 minutes, until crispy and blackened. Flip the fish over and cook an additional 4-6 minutes (the time will depend on thickness). If the salmon is browning too quickly, then turn down the heat.

Notes

HELPFUL TIPS

  • Use the right skillet. A good quality, heavy-bottomed, non-stick pan will work the best. It will save you unnecessary stress of salmon sticking to the pan.
  • Remove Salmon from the fridge. It is best when your salmon is at room temperature when you cook it. This helps to make sure the fish will cook evenly. Just take the salmon out of the refrigerator about 1 hour before you start cooking for the best results.
  • Dry the fillets. Make sure to pat the fillets with a paper towel before applying the oil. This step will help you spread the oil evenly.
  • Grease the salmon. Applying oil to the salmon before the seasoning will help the spices adhere better and create a better crust.
  • Be patient! Let the salmon cook properly before flipping it onto the other side. Too much flipping may cause the salmon fillets to break.

Nutrition

Calories: 326kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 35gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 556mgPotassium: 946mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1560IUVitamin C: 0.7mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 2.6mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below, I can't wait to hear from you!
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Filed Under: All Recipes, Dinner, Lunch, Quick Dinners, Seafood

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Comments

  1. Murray & Nicky says

    July 18, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    Just, definitely the best combination I’ve ever done with salmon. Thank you very much, I serve salmon on top of creamy lemon fettuccine omg definitely cooking this dish again

    Reply
    • Tania Sheff says

      July 20, 2021 at 3:09 pm

      Yay! Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Robin says

    March 11, 2021 at 8:30 am

    5 stars
    This was amazing! I paired it with your recipe for spaghetti with olive oil and garlic. Wonderful. I am from Louisiana and I am familiar with the blackened technique but never tried it until now. The spaghetti was so flavorful...as was the salmon ( I was afraid that I would over season...I am a bit heavy handed with seasoning). I cannot wait to try more of your recipes. Thanks for sharing these easy, uncomplicated, delicious and healthy recipes.

    Reply
    • Tania Sheff says

      March 14, 2021 at 10:52 am

      Hi Robin! Thank you for the kind words! I am glad you enjoyed the recipes! If you like salmon, I suggest you try my Salmon in the Roasted Pepper Sauce - you won't be disappointed!

      Reply
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My name is Tania. I create quick, healthy, and wholesome meals. Let's get to know each other, shall we? Read More…

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