Seafood

Blackened Salmon

by:
October 18, 2022
3
8 Ratings
Blackened Salmon
Photo by Choya Johnson
  • Prep time 10 minutes
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Serves 2 to 3
Author Notes

Salmon ranks as one of the most popular types of seafood in the United States—and for good reason. The versatile fish doesn't take long to prepare, can be located easily for a reasonable price, and most importantly, it holds its flavor very well. From baking it in the oven or on the stovetop to popping it in the air fryer, no matter how you decide to serve it, the one main ingredient that can take it to the next level is the seasoning you choose. Enter: blackened salmon.

For me, my undeniable love for fish—specifically salmon—has caused me to cook it a number of ways. Blackened salmon just so happens to fall in the ranks of my top choices. Most salmon recipes are already simple, so I wanted to develop something that was just as easy, but featured a unique twist of the blackened seasoning. While there are plenty of packaged options for blackened seasoning, it’s so much better to make your own version of the popular Cajun-inspired seasoning. 

Though the blackened seasoning is the star of this recipe, freshly chopped herbs take it to the next level, creating an unforgettable and flavorful flair to a quick and simple weeknight dinner. In fact, it’s so simple, you can even use this as an option for a light lunch or a topping to your favorite afternoon salad. Whatever you choose to pair it with, the results will be delicious.
—TheAmateurKitchn

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 pound fresh salmon, skin on, cut into 4 4-ounce fillets
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons blackened seasoning
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil, or another type of neutral oil
  • 1/2 lemon
Directions
  1. Wash the salmon filets and pat dry completely. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together thyme, parsley, rosemary, blackened seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of pepper. Sprinkle herb mixture over the flesh side of salmon fillets, patting to help it stick.
  3. In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add the salmon to the skillet skin-side down. Cook undisturbed until skin is crisp and brown and lifts easily from pan, 4 to 5 minutes.
  4. Flip the salmon fillets and add the lemon to the pan, sliced side down. Cook until salmon is cooked through and lemon is caramelized in places, 2 to 3 minutes more.
  5. Squeeze the remaining juice over the top of the filet before serving.
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19 Reviews

MEM
MEM November 8, 2022
Well, under the title "Blackened Salmon" it says, "By THEAMATEURKITCHEN."
 
rgupta
rgupta November 8, 2022
:-))
I definitely should have noted that!
 
rgupta
rgupta November 8, 2022
Seriously? A recipe for blackened salmon with the author notes promising a special twist on the seasoning and saying it’s better to make your own - and then listing a generic market seasoning as an ingredient. Where’s the recipe for the blackened seasoning? Disappointing!
 
Kelly V.
Kelly V. November 10, 2022
Hi rgupta! We are in the process of updating this recipe with a new seasoning blend and we apologize for the initial oversight. Can't wait for you to try the new recipe next week!
 
dtjosu
dtjosu April 9, 2023
Not to be rude but it's 5 months later and still no recipe for the blackened seasoning. I'm going to make this today with some Cajun seasoning and I assume that will work fine. Just dislike when something is promised multiple times to multiple people and you don't follow through
 
Kathi B.
Kathi B. November 8, 2022
not seeing the recipe for the "blackened" seasoning. Yes, I know you can purchase but article indicated special recipe??
Also don't see lemon in the ingredients list?
 
Kelly V.
Kelly V. November 10, 2022
Hi Kathi—lemon is the very last ingredient listed! We are updating the recipe to include specific instructions for how to make blackened seasoning. It will be republished next week. Stay tuned!
 
Jim
Jim November 8, 2022
Am I missing something? I don’t see the ingredients for the actual Blackened Seasoning?
 
Rebecca
Rebecca November 8, 2022
You can search for blackened seasoning substitute. Ingredients are simple and easy to make.
 
tvbubbles
tvbubbles November 8, 2022
My go to rub is 2 parts salt, 1 part smoked paprika, 3/4 part chile powder, 3/4 part cumin, 1/4 part cayenne.
 
Kelly V.
Kelly V. November 10, 2022
Hi Jim—we will be updating the recipe with the blackened seasoning next week and truly apologize for our initial oversight.
 
alangaunt
alangaunt November 8, 2022
If “the blackened seasoning is the star of this recipe”, it might be a good idea to include the ingredients of the blackened seasoning.
 
ginny
ginny November 8, 2022
This is an item they sell in the spice department of many grocery stores. Cajun blackening seasoning. It’s like five spice powder, a pre-mixed combination of spices
 
tms
tms November 8, 2022
Yes please!
I would make my own if I kneel what was in it.
 
alangaunt
alangaunt November 8, 2022
Apparently you didn’t read the author’s notes. “While there are plenty of packaged options for blackened seasoning, it’s so much better to make your own version of the popular Cajun-inspired seasoning.”
 
ginny
ginny November 8, 2022
Point taken, but I took it to mean the added herbs were the twist that made it your own…perhaps not?
 
richie
richie November 8, 2022
please cut to the chase ///// print your own version of blackened seasoning
 
richie
richie November 8, 2022
never made blackened seasoning --- if you have the best --make your own --print it --so we can all see it

note that the writer said something about a special twist of Blackened seasoning
 
Kelly V.
Kelly V. November 10, 2022
Hi alangaunt—apologies! We are updating the recipe based on our readers' feedback and will have a new and improved version next week :)