Description
Spicy Cajun Salmon brings Louisiana’s bold flavors to your dinner table with zesty seasonings that dance across perfectly seared fish. Rich, flaky salmon meets a robust spice blend, promising a quick and delicious meal that satisfies you with its hearty, mouthwatering charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 23 salmon fillets skin on (about 1 lb / 454 grams)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Cooking Fats and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon by thoroughly drying the fillets with paper towels to ensure optimal seasoning adherence and searing potential.
- Massage Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper into both sides of the salmon, creating a flavorful and even coating that will enhance the fish’s natural taste.
- Preheat a non-stick skillet with olive oil over medium heat until the surface becomes shimmery and hot, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully place salmon fillets flesh-side down into the hot skillet, allowing them to develop a golden, crispy exterior without moving them around, about 5 minutes.
- Flip the fillets and cook the skin side for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring even cooking and a perfectly crisp texture.
- Remove salmon from the skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors, approximately 1 minute.
- Incorporate remaining butter, fresh parsley, lemon juice, and an extra pinch of Cajun seasoning, creating a vibrant and zesty sauce.
- Simmer the sauce gently for 1-2 minutes to blend the flavors and slightly reduce the liquid.
- Return the cooked salmon to the pan, generously coating it with the prepared sauce and allowing the flavors to meld together for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Notes
- Pat salmon fillets completely dry to ensure a perfect sear and prevent steaming, which helps achieve a crispy golden exterior.
- Use fresh Cajun seasoning to maximize flavor intensity and ensure the spices aren’t stale or bland.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan when searing salmon, which prevents proper caramelization and can make the fish steam instead of developing a beautiful crust.
- Customize Cajun seasoning heat levels by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper for those who prefer milder or spicier profiles.
- Select skin-on salmon fillets for extra texture and rich flavor, allowing the skin to become wonderfully crispy during cooking.
- Choose high-quality, fresh salmon from sustainable sources for the best taste and nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg