Baked Cajun Salmon with Homemade Seasoning
By Emma Collins
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
I prepare fillets of salmon this way ahead of time for quick meals when I want to season and cook the salmon just before eating. This Cajun spice blend includes smoked paprika, dried herbs, and cayenne, to create a seasoned, flaky crust on cooked salmon fillets.
Start with dry salmon. I use paper towels to dry salmon and then thoroughly coat it with olive oil and seasonings. Apply pressure when coating to help the seasonings stick. Olive oil and pressure both help prevent seasonings from falling off when you bake the salmon.
Bake fillets on parchment paper on a baking sheet at 400°F for 12 minutes or until done. Fillet thickness is the primary variable that affects baking time. Other methods of testing for doneness include inserting a food thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet and attempting to flake the fish with a fork.
Skin-on fillets work well for this dish. I recommend cooking skin-on fillets with the skin facing down to achieve a crisper skin. Let the fish cool somewhat before garnishing with parsley and lemon wedges. I recommend including lemon as a garnish along with the Cajun seasoning.
Why this recipe works
- Four 6-ounce fillets serve individual dinners. This is an appropriate serving size for occasions when more than one person per meal will be served.
- Mix extra Cajun seasoning for the next time you make salmon.
- Salmon is baked on parchment paper. Cleanup of the baking sheet is simpler after the meal.
- It takes 12 to 15 minutes to bake fillets at 400°F and serve, depending on the fillet thickness.
- Skin-on salmon can be pan-fried skin-side down to make a crispy meal from skin-on salmon.
- Leftover cold foods can be used as toppings for pasta dishes and other cold dishes, such as salads, for other meals.
Ingredients
- •4 salmon fillets (6 oz each, patted dry)
- •1 tbsp olive oil
- •1 tbsp smoked paprika
- •2 tsp garlic powder
- •2 tsp onion powder
- •1 tsp dried oregano
- •1 tsp dried thyme
- •½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- •1 tsp salt
- •½ tsp black pepper
- •lemon wedges (for serving)
- •fresh parsley (for serving)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel.
- 2
Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Mix well.
- 3
Drizzle the salmon with olive oil and rub it over the fillets. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning over the salmon and press it gently into the flesh.
- 4
Put the seasoned salmon on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- 5
Rest the salmon for a couple of minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
FAQ
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
350
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