Blackened Salmon

By Rena Awada | Updated On January 12, 2022

This healthy Blackened Salmon recipe is quickly cooked on the stovetop then baked in the oven until perfectly flaky and done. Coated in a flavorful seasoning rub and drizzled with lime juice, this blackened salmon in the oven is perfect for seafood salads, tacos, and pasta!

close up of salmon fillets in skillet

Keto, blackened, baked salmon is so easy to make for a healthy nutritious meal at home. Coated with a mixture of onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, and more, this salmon recipe is filled with bright savory flavors and perfect for salmon tacos, alfredo, other types of pasta, salmon salads, etc.

Ready in less than 30 minutes, this gluten-free, healthy salmon recipe is an ideal dish for whenever you want lean protein and healthy fats for lunch or dinner. Oven blackened salmon tastes even more delicious served with cauliflower rice or regular rice, spinach apple salad, garlic herbed red potatoes, and simple oven-roasted veggies.

This easy salmon recipe is a great healthy option for meal prep to enjoy for weekday lunches or dinners whenever you do not want to put a lot of effort in. In place of the salmon, you can use different types of seafood like shrimp, other varieties of fish, and even other types of protein like blackened tofu or chicken, but you may have to adjust the cooking times on the recipes.

With such simple steps as cooking on the stovetop then baking in the oven, you will want to make this blackened salmon recipe for yourself and your family all the time.

two salmon fillets in skillet with limes

Why This Blackened Baked Salmon Is The Best

  • Versatile: Use almost any kind of protein you would like for this recipe! You can also finish the blackened salmon in the air fryer rather than the oven. The seasoning blend is easy to customize.
  • Healthy and Low Carb: This salmon recipe is keto and great for those who are looking for a low carb recipe! Salmon is rich with healthy fats and omega-3s, protein, and also low in fat.
  • Easy to Make: This recipe is great for cooks who are just starting out! Season the salmon and cook until done!
  • Family-Friendly: The whole family, including kids, will enjoy this flavorful cajun salmon recipe. It’s filled with so much flavor!
two salmon fillets in skillet

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS baked SALMON RECIPE

This is a list that features the easy ingredients that are in this blackened salmon recipe! For a list of the full measurements, be sure to scroll down to the recipe card.

  • Salt– Kosher sea salt is a great salt to use because it has a clean flavor that is healthier than traditional table salt. There are different kinds of healthy sea salts, too.
  • Pepper– Black pepper adds perfect flavor to this salmon and tastes even more delicious when it is freshly cracked.
  • Onion Powder– Ground onion powder is responsible for a lot of the flavor in this recipe in addition to the other seasonings. Onion powder is great for seasoning savory dishes.
  • Garlic Powder– Savory and aromatic garlic powder gives this salmon a hint of garlic flavor that tastes delicious with the onion powder.
  • Oregano– Earthy and flavorful oregano gives this salmon a fresh flavor that is robust and stands out.
  • Smoked Paprika– Smoked paprika is a bold spice that delivers a lot of flavor to the recipes it is used in. Smoked paprika is a little different than regular paprika, though, so be wary of that.
  • Olive Oil– Silky smooth olive oil is our preferred oil because it has a nice flavor, but any kind of cooking oil will work for the salmon.
  • Salmon Fillets– Fresh, five-ounce salmon fillets are cooked until perfectly tender and filled with juicy savory flavors. We like to use skinless.
  • Limes– Two limes are used for this recipe to make sure to have those ready to use.
salmon fillets, lime, oil, salt, pepper, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika in bowls for recipe

HOW TO MAKE This BLACKENED SALMON Recipe

  • Coat the salmon with the seasoning: First, in a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, oregano, and smoked paprika. Next, coat the fresh salmon fillets with a half tablespoon of the oil, then rub the seasoning mix all over the salmon making sure to coat both sides of the fish.
  • Blacken salmon: Heat the rest of the olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-low heat. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the salmon fillets for a couple minutes on each side until blackened.
  • Bake in the oven: Sprinkle lime juice over the salmon and bake the salmon in the oven for eight to ten minutes until flaky.
  • Serve with lime: Serve the cooked salmon with fresh lime wedges and enjoy with your favorite side dishes!
seasoning coating salmon fillets
blackened salmon in skillet

Recipe Notes, Tips, and Substitutions

  • You can make different kinds of seafood such as blackened mahi mahi, tuna, swordfish, shrimp, redfish, blackened catfish, etc.
  • Add some cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix for spice.
  • Make grilled blackened salmon rather than baked salmon. Want to just cook it on a skillet on your stovetop go right ahead.
  • Use skin on or skinless salmon filets
  • Serve the salmon with cream sauce.
salmon in skillet with lime and oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Is blackened salmon bad for you?

Blackened salmon is a healthy recipe that is rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and more!

Why is it called blackened salmon?

The nice charred finish on the cooked salmon after putting it on the hot skillet is referred to as “blackened”.

Can you blacken fish without a cast-iron skillet?

If you do not have a cast-iron skillet, you can still blacken fish with a heavy-bottomed pan and plenty of oil or butter.

two salmon fillets in skillet with oil, seasoning, and lime

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BLACKENED SALMON

MORE HEALTHY RECIPES TO TRY

two salmon fillets in skillet with oil and lime

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top view two pan cooked salmon filet with lime slices

Blackened Salmon

This healthy Blackened Salmon recipe is quickly cooked on the stovetop then baked in the oven until perfectly flaky and done.
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 291kcal
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces salmon fillets divided, 5 ounces each, skinless
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspono oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil divided
  • 2 limes one squeezed, the other quartered

Instructions

  • In a small bowl combine all the seasonings.
  • Coat the salmon fillets with ½ tablespoon of oil, then rub with the seasoning mix all over.
  • Heat the remaining oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-low heat. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400F.
  • Cook the salmon fillets for around 2 minutes per side, or until blackened.
  • Squeeze over the lime juice and finish it off by cooking in the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the salmon is flaky.
  • Serve with lime wedges and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can make different kinds of seafood such as blackened mahi-mahi, tuna, swordfish, shrimp, redfish, blackened catfish, etc.
  • Add some cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix for spice.
  • Make grilled blackened salmon rather than baked salmon. Want to just cook it on a skillet on your stovetop go right ahead.
  • Use skin-on or skinless salmon filets
  • Serve the salmon with cream sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 803mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 587IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy Eddins says

    5 stars
    My husband loved his blackened salmon!! We had some wild caught so I thought I’d so something different other then baking. I followed the recipe exactly and I will be making this more often. Seeing my husbands eyes brighten up when taking that first bite was rewarding and then came the words “it was a very delicious dinner. Thanks for the recipe!!

  2. KathyD says

    4 stars
    I loved the cooking method for this salmon. For some reason the taste was a bit off for us. My guess is that it was a reaction between the lime juice and my cast iron pan choice. I’ll try it again using stainless steel. Thank you!

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