Description
Succulent Cajun honey butter salmon brings zesty Southern flavors to your dinner table with bold spices and sweet glaze. Delicate fish fillets melt in your mouth, promising a quick, irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
Seasoning Blend:
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Thoroughly blot salmon fillets with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crisp exterior during cooking.
- Massage olive oil across the fish surface, then generously coat with a blend of Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper for robust flavor penetration.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, adding a light drizzle of oil to prevent sticking and promote even searing.
- Carefully position salmon fillets skin-side down, allowing them to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the skin transforms into a delightfully crispy texture.
- Gently flip the fillets and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 145°F/63°C for perfectly done fish.
- While salmon cooks, whisk together melted butter, honey, additional Cajun seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes in a separate bowl to create a vibrant glaze.
- Pour the glossy honey-butter mixture directly over the salmon in the skillet, continuously spooning the sauce to coat the fillets and enhance their flavor profile for approximately 30 seconds.
- Remove skillet from heat, garnishing the salmon with freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color and brightness.
- Plate the salmon alongside complementary sides like fluffy rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp garden salad, and serve with lemon wedges for an extra citrus kick.
Notes
- Ensure salmon is completely dry before seasoning to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, preventing overcooking and maintaining the salmon’s tender, flaky texture.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by reducing or increasing the amount to suit different spice tolerances without compromising the dish’s vibrant character.
- For gluten-free option, verify Cajun seasoning ingredients and use certified gluten-free spices to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg