Blackened Salmon

This Baked Blackened Salmon recipe is oven-baked to perfection instead of pan-seared for a super easy-to-make and flavorful easy healthy salmon recipe.  This dinner comes together in less than 20 minutes with a handful of ingredients including Homemade Blackening Seasoning and lemon.

Love blackened fish? Also try my Blackened Swordfish, Blackened Mahi Mahi, and Blackened Shrimp Tacos.

Baked Blackened Salmon recipe

This Baked Blackened Salmon recipe is the absolute perfect easy healthy salmon recipe.  This flavorful way to cook fish uses only a few ingredients and comes together in less than 15 minutes making it a fabulous healthy family dinner.  The star of this recipe is a Homemade Blackening Seasoning, which is similar to a cajun spice - plus a touch of butter and lemon.  The end result is a fresh, flavorful, tender, and flaky salmon that is simply fool-proof to make.

Whip this salmon dinner up and serve it with any of my 20 Healthy Side Dishes for Salmon and you have an irresistible dinner everyone will love.  It's so tasty, buttery, and downright delicious!

Plus, it's also pescatarian, gluten-free, keto, clean eating, and paleo.

Why is it called blackened salmon?

Blackened Salmon or Blackened Fish refers to fish cooked in blackening seasonings which is a zesty blend of paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, and spices.  You can mix your own with this recipe or buy storebought.  This one is my favorite.  This style of cooking fish originates from New Orleans.  The traditional way to cook this type of blackened fish has you season the fish with blackening seasoning and sear it in a cast iron skillet over high heat.  If you'd like to make the salmon this way, check the variations note below because I have included those instructions as well.

Fish cooked like this looks dark or black which is why it's called blackened, but it's not burnt at all.

Obviously, this recipe deviated from the original, but my version is so much easier to prepare and is healthier because it uses less butter to bake the fish than to sear it in.  A stove-top version of this salmon requires you to stand over the stove, while in my version you can pop it in the oven and forget it.

Why You'll Love this Baked Blackened Salmon recipe...

• You'll love this Baked Blackened Salmon recipe because it's made with just FOUR ingredients in 15 minutes.
• It's a fuss-free, foolproof oven recipe.  Even if you aren't much of a chef, you can do this.
• You can make it spicier if you like or keep it mild.
• It's healthy! Salmon is one of the absolute healthiest fish to eat and is full of healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, phosphorus, and B vitamins.  One serving of salmon is a great source of protein - 25 grams - and less than 200 calories.
• Salmon is widely available in most grocery stores, making this an approachable fish recipe for anyone to make regardless of how close to the coast you are.
• And did I mention it's super delicious?

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need (just FOUR ingredients!) to make this Baked Blackened Salmon recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.

• Salmon: You'll need two salmon filets around 4-6 ounces each.  Any type will work including Atlantic, Wild sockeye, coho, or king.  The fish should look fresh and not have a stinky aroma.
• Butter:  I generally don't cook with a lot of butter, but it really does make a difference here.  A key flavor of blackened salmon or fish is the butter it's cooked in so I use just a touch.  I melt the butter and brush it on the fish to use a smaller amount and evenly distribute it o the fish.
• Blackening Seasoning:  I love my Homemade Blackening Seasoning because it's the perfect blend of paprika, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, oregano, salt, and pepper.  They also make pre-mixed ones in the store.  My favorite is Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Blends - Blackened Redfish Magic.  Two other options are Zatarain Blackened Seasoning or Emeril's Blackened Seasoning Blend.  This spice rub is full of a cajun like flavor.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon brings the fish to life after cooking!

Do I need salt and pepper?  Most blackening seasoning already contains a good amount of salt and pepper, so you probably don't need to add extra.  Check the seasoning mix to see if it's already included and add it if necessary.

Tips for Buying Salmon

With salmon now widely available at grocery stores, you might be confused about what to buy for my Baked Blackened Salmon.  It doesn't have to be complicated.

• Types of Salmon:  The most common type of salmon at the grocery store is Atlantic Salmon, which is often farm raised.  You can also find wild salmon like King Salmon, Wild Sockeye, and Coho Salmon.  Any of these will work.  Buy the type you can afford and find.  All types of salmon are good for you in moderation!
• Check it For: Check that the salmon you buy has a vibrant color with no brown spots or fishy smell.
• Fresh or Frozen?: Either type will work well for this Baked Blackened Salmon recipe.  Unless you live near the coast, often the fish at your regular grocery store seafood counter has just been thawed from frozen anyway.  If you really want fresh make sure to look for a label that says fresh never frozen.  Don't be afraid to buy frozen fish to stock your freezer with because most fish these days if frozen shortly after catching them anyway.

Instructions:

This is an overview of the instructions to make this Baked Blackened Salmon recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Put the salmon fillets in a baking dish and pat them dry with a paper towel.  Brush them with melted butter.
3. Generously coat the salmon with the blackening seasoning spice mixture.
4. Bake for 8-12 minutes until the fish is pink and flakes with a fork.  Be careful not to overcook it.
5. Squeeze the fish with a lemon juice wedge and serve immediately.

Salmon Cooking Tips:

• The Baked Blackened Salmon recipe is done when it with flakes with a fork.
• Salmon and any fish generally take about 10 minutes to cook for each inch it is thick.  A thinner piece of salmon will be done in around 8 minutes but a thicker piece might take up to 12.  Oven temperatures can vary, so watch your fish at the end of the cooking time.
• You can serve salmon rare or well done according to personal preference.
• If you are still unsure of how long to cook your salmon you can use a meat thermometer.   A medium piece of salmon will be done from 125 degrees Fahrenheit to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.   I should note that the USDA says to cook salmon to 145 degrees, but that will be a very well-done and dry piece of salmon.

Variations

I love this Baked Blackened Salmon recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.

• Make it Family Sized: The recipe can easily be halved, doubled, or tripled depending on the size of your family.
• Make it Dairy Free:  Use dairy-free butter or olive oil to make this recipe dairy free.
• Make it Spicy: Add an extra sprinkle of cayenne pepper seasoning to bring up the heat.
• Make it Stove Top: If you want to make a more traditional Blackened Salmon in a cast iron skillet, it's not that hard.  First, get out a large cast iron skillet.  Melt the butter in the pan over medium-high heat.  Place the fish flesh side down.  Cook the salmon for 4-5 minutes and then use a spatula to carefully flip the fish.  Cover with a lid and allow the salmon to finish cooking for another 4-5 minutes.  There's a bit of skill in cooking fish this way, but with some practice, anyone can do it!

Storage Instructions

Store any leftovers of your Baked Blackened Salmon recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.  I would not recommend freezing this recipe.

Reheating Instructions

Reheat the salmon in the oven or microwave for 30-second increments until heated through.  It will get more cooked and drier when you do this, so warm it up for as little time as possible.e

FAQ

How long to bake salmon at 425?  How long do you cook salmon in the oven?

I like to bake salmon at 425 degrees because it gives your tender fillets that cook quickly.  Salmon should be cooked for 8-12 minutes depending on how thick the fish is.  Fillets of salmon less than an inch thick will take around 8 minutes, while super thick fillets more than an inch will take closer to 12 minutes.

Should you bake salmon covered or uncovered?

I recommend baking salmon uncovered because it cooker quicker and you get a bit of color and texture on the top of the salmon.

Is blackened fish healthy?

My recipe for blackened fish is healthy because it's oven baked and uses just a little butter.  This is completely guilt-free and good for your easy healthy salmon recipe.

What's the difference between grilled and blackened?

Grilled fish is when you cook salmon over an open flame or grill while blackening is the cooking method described above where you coat the fish in spices and cook it over high heat.  It's actually two very different preparations.

Baked Blackened Salmon recipe is the Perfect Easy Healthy Salmon Recipe!

I love this Baked Blackened Salmon because of how simple it is to make and how flavorful it is!  You really can't beat a healthy family dinner that's made with such easy ingredients in less than 15 minutes.  You can serve it simply with your favorite side dishes like Roasted Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli or use this recipe as a base for blackened salmon tacos, backend salmon alfredo pasta, or even with a salad.

This is another one of my family's favorite recipes.  I hope you will give it a try and let me know what you think.

What goes with blackened salmon?

• Top it with fruit salsa like my Pineapple Salsa, Peach Salsa, or Mango Salsa. 
• Top it with pesto like Basil Almond Pesto
• Roasted Asparagus
• Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic
• Lemon Garlic Kale
• Or try any of my 20+ Healthy Side Dishes for Salmon

More Blackened Fish & Seafood Recipes to Try:

• Blackened Mahi Mahi
• Blackened Swordfish
• Blackened Shrimp Tacos
• Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
• Homemade Blackening Seasoning

More Healthy Salmon Recipes to Try:

• Parmesan Panko Crusted Salmon
• Easy Baked Salmon with Rosemary
• Easy Lemon Pesto Salmon
• Teriyaki Salmon
• Everything But the Bagel Salmon
• Baked Lemon Salmon with Creamy Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
• Salmon Foil Packets with Rainbow Vegetables
• Salmon Asparagus and Tomato in Foil
• Balsamic Glazed Salmon
• Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon with Peach Salsa
• Pistachio Crusted Salmon

If you make this Baked Blackened Salmon recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Baked Blackened Salmon recipe

Julie Wunder

This Baked Blackened Salmon recipe is oven-baked to perfection instead of pan-seared for a super easy-to-make and flavorful easy healthy salmon recipe.  This dinner comes together in less than 20 minutes with a handful of ingredients including Homemade Blackening Seasoning and lemon.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Calories 307 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 salmon fillets, 4-6 ounces
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• ½ tablespoon blackening seasoning
• 1 lemon

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
• Put the salmon fillets in a baking dish and brush them with the melted butter.
• Generously coat the salmon with the blackening seasoning. You want a nice layer of spice on it.
• Bake for 8-12 minutes until the fish is pink and flakes with a fork. Don't over cook it!
• Squeeze with a lemon wedge and serve immediately.

Notes

Oven cooking times can vary and it's essential with fish to keep an eye on the cooking.  Fish like salmon generally takes 10 minutes to cook for each thick inch.  A piece of salmon less than an inch thick can cook in as little as 8 minutes, while thicker pieces might take 12 minutes or more. 

The recipe is best fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 34gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 387mgPotassium: 909mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 255IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Baked Blackened Salmon, Blackened Salmon, Blackened Salmon recipe

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