Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

Cajun Honey Butter Salmon is the easy weeknight entree you’ve been searching for – a quick, 20-minute recipe delivering tender, sweet, spicy, smoky perfection. Elevate your baked salmon recipe with a flavourful, buttery sauce that’ll leave you savouring each bite!

For more delicious cajun recipes, check out Cajun Garlic Butter Lobster Tails, Cajun Butter Steak Bites, One Pot Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage and this Easy One Pot Cajun Shrimp and Rice next!

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Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

Cajun honey butter salmon unites the boldness of cajun seasoning with the sweetness of honey, for a mouthwatering main dish. This recipe is one of the easiest, and tastiest salmon recipes to serve for a quick weeknight dinner, or as part of a gourmet at-home dinner. It’s sweet-spicy, with a simple and delicious honey butter sauce that sets this recipe off!

Here’s Why You’ll Love this Cajun Salmon Recipe

• Restaurant Quality: I never order salmon when I go out to eat because I know it’s better at home. With some quality fish, a few easy techniques, and the right seasoning, this dish tastes and presents like gourmet!
• Quick & Easy: Make salmon in less than 20 minutes with this simple recipe.
• Versatile: Serve as part of a main or entree and pair with veggies, pasta, grains or potatoes!

What is Cajun Seasoning?

Cajun seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices originating in southern America, but mainly Louisiana. It often features paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, peppers, oregano and thyme. The heat level also varies from blend to blend.

Is Cajun Season Good on Salmon?

Cajun season seasoning is the perfect seasoning for salmon. the bold spice blend complements the rich natural flavour of salmon. It adds depth to fish for a delicious pairing.

What’s the difference between Cajun and Creole Seasoning?

Although the seasonings are often used interchangeably, they are made with different ingredients. Cajun seasoning has a deep, peppery heat while creole seasoning has a more herbal taste (including dried basil, dried thyme, bay leaves, rosemary and oregano).

Ingredients

• Salmon Fillets: Use skin-on salmon for this recipe.
• Olive Oil: Drizzle olive oil on the salmon fillets before seasoning. It enhances the richness of the dish and encourages the salmon to brown as it cooks in the oven.
• Cajun or creole seasoning: The star of the show! This flavourful spice blend bringing a bold and zesty taste to the salmon.
• Other Seasonings: Use garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika (or regular paprika), salt and black pepper to enhance and complement the taste of the cajun seasoning.
• Dried Parsley Flakes: Add a touch of herby flair with this inclusion.
• Butter: Softened or room temperature butter is mixed with honey to create a luscious honey butter sauce. This adds richness and a glossy finish to the salmon.
• Honey: Balance the spiciness of cajun seasoning with the sticky sweetness of honey. It also contributes to the caramelization during baking, creating a flavourful glaze.
• Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle fresh cilantro or parsley just before serving for a burst of freshness and a pop of colour. This garnish adds a vibrant touch to the dish.

How to Make Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and pat dry your salmon fillets. Then, drizzle some oil olive, and season generously with the cajun spice blend. If the salmon is chilled, allow it to sit at room temp for at least 15 minutes to take the chill off.

2. Add a squeeze of lemon to the salmon, place in skillet and add three dollops of honey butter on each salmon fillet. Then set aside the rest of the honey butter.

3. Place in oven, and bake for 10 – 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon or until flaky and internal temp reads 145°F.

4. When the salmon is nearly finished (around the 7-8 minute mark) add the remainder of honey butter to the skillet. Remove the salmon from oven when done, and spoon the sauce over the cajun salmon. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve!

Recipe Substitutions

• Pan Fried Cajun Salmon: To achieve blackened salmon, you’ll need to pan sear the fish. Cook it on the stovetop, for a few minutes on each side over high heat to achieve that blackened crust. This is a common cooking technique used in Cajun cuisine.
• Homemade Cajun Seasoning: Instead of a premade blend, you can make your own cajun seasoning by combining paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt and black pepper to taste.

What to Serve with Cajun Salmon

• Mashed Potatoes: Make this meal hearty and indulgent with a side of creamy mashed potatoes.
• Grains: This, like other salmon recipes, pairs well with rice, quinoa or couscous.
• Grilled Roasted Veggies: For a wholesome meal that’s still light, serve with corn, brussels sprouts or asparagus.
• Pasta: I also like to serve this dish on a bed of pasta, sometimes plain butter pasta or creamy alfredo for a delicious cajun salmon pasta.

Tips

• Before seasoning, pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. This helps the spices stick to the surface, for a golden brown crust.
• Place the salmon skin-side down on the baking sheet. This helps to keep the flesh moist and prevents sticking.
• Customize the amount of cajun seasoning to your spice preference. You can always start with a bit less and add more if needed.
• Baste the cajun salmon with honey butter during the last few minutes of baking. This adds richness and a glossy finish to the salmon.
• Salmon is best when it’s slightly pink in the center. Overcooking can result in a dry texture, so keep an eye on the cooking time. Depending on the thickness of your salmon, bake for 10 -15 minutes or until flaky. The internal temperature should read 145°F. 

Storage & Reheating Instructions

To store cajun salmon, allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the salmon in the oven or air fryer at a low temperature to preserve its tenderness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Interested in more Salmon Recipes? Check These Out!

• Escovitch Salmon
• Brown Stew Salmon
• Lemon Chive Salmon Cakes
• Parmesan Crusted Salmon
• Jamaican Coconut Curry Salmon
• Baked Salmon with Honey Mustard Sauce
• Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil
• Easy Creamy Lemon Butter Salmon
• Baked Honey Sriracha Salmon

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5 from 2 votes

Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

By: Taneisha Morris

Cajun Honey Butter Salmon is the easy weeknight entree you've been searching for – a quick, 20-minute recipe delivering tender, sweet, spicy, smoky perfection. Elevate your baked salmon recipe with a flavourful, buttery sauce that'll leave you savouring each bite!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 servings

Equipment

• 2 Mixing Bowls
• Skillet

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 Salmon Fillets
• ▢ 1 tbsp Olive Oil, divided
• ▢ 2 tsp Cajun, or creole seasoning
• ▢ 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• ▢ 1 tsp Onion Powder
• ▢ 1 tsp Smoked Paprika, or regular paprika
• ▢ 1 tsp Dried Parsley Flakes
• ▢ 1/2 tsp Salt, more or less to taste
• ▢ 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• ▢ 4 tbsp Butter, softened or room temperature
• ▢ 3 tbsp Honey
• ▢ Fresh Parsley, or cilantro for garnish, as desired

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Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Then in a small bowl, combine all the dry seasonings – dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika or paprika, cajun seasoning, black pepper, and salt and set aside.
• In another bowl, combine butter and honey, mix until well combined, set aside.
• Pat dry salmon, then add a drizzle with olive oil on each fillet. Season both sides of salmon generously with dry seasoning, a add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Add a drizzle of olive oil to skillet or oven safe dish and place salmon fillets in the pan with a dollop of honey butter on each – do not overcrowd your pan. Set aside remainder of honey butter.
• Depending on the thickness of your salmon, bake for 10 -15 minutes or until flaky and internal temp reads 145°F. When salmon near done, around the 7-8 minute mark, add remainder of honey butter to the skillet.
• Remove from oven when done, spoon the sauce overtop of salmon, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve.

Notes

How to Know When Salmon Done – you’ll know your salmon is ready when the flesh of the salmon flakes. This means it separates easily when pressed or poked with a fork or when the internal temp reads 145°F.

Nutrition

Calories: 492kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 916mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 1521IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

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