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A perfectly cooked piece of blackened salmon with a dark, spiced crust.

Proven way to grow a perfect Blackened Salmon meal

This recipe guides you through preparing a delicious blackened salmon with a crispy, flavorful crust and tender, flaky interior, perfect for a satisfying meal. It is straightforward and yields impressive results.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon
  • 4 salmon fillets about 6 oz each
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
For the Blackening Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Small bowls (2)
  • Cast-iron skillet
  • Tongs or spatula

Method
 

Prepare the Salmon
  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels; this helps create a crispy crust. Melt the butter in a small bowl.
  2. In another small bowl, combine all the blackening seasoning ingredients until well mixed.
Season and Cook
  1. Dip each salmon fillet into the melted butter, ensuring both sides are coated. Then, dredge each fillet generously in the blackening seasoning, pressing lightly to adhere.
  2. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until it is smoking hot. Carefully place the seasoned salmon fillets, skin-side up, into the hot skillet.
  3. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fillets, until a dark, crusty sear forms and the salmon easily flakes with a fork.
Serve
  1. Remove the salmon from the skillet and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon wedges, if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can let the seasoned salmon sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking. Ensure your kitchen is well-ventilated, as blackening can produce a lot of smoke.