This boldly flavored Baked Cajun Salmon is an easy 15 minute weeknight meal. Seasoned in a zesty cajun seasoning and finished with sweet honey butter, each bite is so well balanced and totally satisfying!
If you’re like me and love to switch up the meals you serve for dinner on a regular basis, then you have to try this impeccably flavored Baked Cajun Salmon. Seasoned with cajun seasoning and olive oil, the roasted cajun salmon fillets are dressed in a simple honey butter and chives. Every bite is buttery soft and full of flavor!
Much like my Honey Soy Salmon, this easy baked salmon recipe has a touch of sweetness and bold flavors. It’s also incredibly easy to put together! Serve this quick 6-ingredient dish with Zucchini Corn Fritters and Spanish Rice for a well-rounded, colorful, and healthy meal.
Recipe features
- A delicious, quick, and easy weeknight salmon dinner.
- Made with just 6 simple ingredients.
- The bold and spicy flavors are well balanced thanks to the sweet honey butter.
Ingredient notes:
- Salmon - Look for bright pink wild-caught salmon fillets that appear moist and without any brown spots. Make sure to fully thaw frozen fillets beforehand.
- Cajun seasoning - Either buy a pre-mixed seasoning at the store or make your own by mixing paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, and salt and pepper together.
- Honey butter sauce - Brush the finished salmon with a simple mix of honey and butter for a moist and sweet touch.
- Chives - For a fresh and herbaceous garnish.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Season the salmon. Place the salmon fillets on a foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle them with oil. Rub the Cajun seasoning and salt all over the fillets with your hands.
Step 2: Bake the salmon. Bake the fillets until they’re easy to flake with a fork. While they bake, make the honey butter sauce by whisking the two together in a bowl.
Step 3: Brush and serve. Brush the honey butter all over the baked salmon. Serve each fillet with a sprinkle of fresh chives and enjoy!
Expert tips and FAQs
- For a bit of brightness, sprinkle fresh lemon zest over the seasoned fillets before they go in the oven.
- Use your leftover cajun seasoning to add bold flavors to potato wedges, shrimp, grilled veggies, corn on the cob, grilled chicken, and so much more.
Can I pan sear the salmon instead?
I love baking salmon to produce a tender, flaky inside but it can alway be cooked faster in a skillet on the stove. To pan sear the cajun salmon, follow my instructions in my Seared Salmon with Chipotle Salsa recipe.
Can I grill the salmon instead?
You can! Grill the dressed cajun salmon on a 450°- 500°F heated grill skin side down over direct heat for about 6 to 8 minutes. Flip the fillets over, close the lid, and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes.
How can you tell the salmon is done cooking?
Salmon is done baking when it looks opaque and is beginning to flake. Run a knife or fork along the fillet to check its flakiness (it should flake very easily). If you still aren’t sure, a meat thermometer should register 120ºF in the thickest part of the fillet when it’s done.
What can I serve with cajun salmon?
The big flavors in this cajun salmon recipe pair well with the flavors from the south. Think grilled corn kale salad, black bean soup, Spanish rice, fried tomatoes, coleslaw, or grilled vegetables on the side.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Wrap each cooked salmon fillet in foil and keep them in airtight containers. Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Again, wrap the cooked fillets in foil or plastic wrap. Store them in a sealed bag or container for up to 4 months. Let them thaw completely before reheating in a 325ºF oven.
More salmon recipes
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Baked Cajun Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets thawed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon butter softened
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon chives chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°. Line a baking sheet with foil, leaving a 2 inch overhang; place the salmon skin-side down on the foil.
- Drizzle the salmon with olive oil, then sprinkle with the cajun seasoning and salt, using your hands to press the seasoning into the salmon. Fold the ends of the foil up over the salmon so the salmon is loosely covered with the foil.
- Bake the salmon for 12-15 minutes, or until it's easy to flake with a fork. While the salmon is baking, whisk the butter and honey together in a small bowl.
- As soon as the salmon is done, remove it from the oven and brush it with the honey butter. Sprinkle with fresh chives and enjoy!
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