Blackened Salmon Recipe

Blackened Salmon is an easy, low-carb, and keto salmon recipe that can be made in a cast iron skillet or baked in the oven with a homemade blackened seasoning mix in under 15 minutes.  This blackened salmon recipe is perfectly flaky, full of wonderful Cajun spices, and has a crispy exterior everyone will love!

Finding other low-carb and keto dinner recipes like this blackened salmon can be quite challenging!  A few of other easy keto recipes you might enjoy include this Filet Mignon, Egg Roll in a Bowl, Baked Teriyaki Salmon, and this Shrimp Ceviche.

Blackened Salmon Recipe for the Quick Dinner Win!

Some nights you want to whip up dinner in less time than it takes you to search for a recipe or watch your favorite TV show.  May I introduce you to this simple blackened salmon recipe!

You can either prep your homemade blackened seasoning mix ahead of time, or buy one from the store.  Serve it with some steamed broccoli, rice, or roasted vegetables and you can have dinner ready and on the table in 20 minutes flat!

(All of the hangry bellies rejoice!)

Enough of the chit chat.  I want you to be able to read this in less time than it takes you to make the recipe!  So below you will learn how to make blackened salmon on the stovetop or in the oven, what skillet is best, where to get your blackened seasoning mix, how you can make it dairy-free, and what side dishes go best with this blackened salmon recipe!

How to Make Blackened Salmon

In the recipe below you will see the instructions for making blackened salmon on the stovetop as well as in the oven.  My personal preference is to make it in a skillet since it gets a delightfully crisp exterior!  However, feel free to follow the instructions below to cook your salmon in the oven.

For both cooking methods you will need to:

• Select your salmon.
  • Fresh and Wild salmon is by far the best type of salmon to purchase.  Not only does it taste good, but it is also better for you.
  • Next up would be wild and previously frozen salmon.  The taste and texture are not quite as good, but the salmon is still REALLY good for you!
• Cut the salmon into filets.
  • For this recipe you should leave the skin on.  When eating, simply remove the salmon skin (leaving the fatty and good-for-you grey part!) and either discard or give to your furry friend.  (Tevah loves it when we have blackened salmon for dinner!)
• Sprinkle blackened seasoning onto the filets and rub it in.
  • See below for more information about how to make blackened seasoning from scratch and where to buy it in the store.

Skillet and Baked Blackened Salmon

To make Skillet Blackened Salmon (personal preference!):

A cast iron skillet works the absolute best when making anything blackened.  If you do not have a cast iron skillet, a large stainless steel skillet will work well, also.

Heat up a bit of butter, or dairy-free “butter”, over medium-high heat and add the salmon filets (flesh side-down).  Cook salmon for 4-5 minutes, flip, cover with a lid, and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.

To make Baked Blackened Salmon:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with either aluminum foil or parchment paper.

Place salmon filets in a single layer, add cubed butter, and bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

What Internal Temperature to Cook Salmon?

Salmon is cooked through when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees and the fish flakes easily with a fork.  This can be determined by using a simple meat thermometer and placing it in the thickest portion of the filet.

Blackened Seasoning for Salmon

You can make Homemade Blackened Seasoning (my personal preference!) or you can buy it in the store.  If purchase pre-made blackened seasoning be sure to read the label carefully.  Some of the more popular brands (Zatarain’s!) actually contains MSG while others also have added sugar, wheat, or stabilizers.

A few brands of blackened seasoning that will work well in this recipe include:

• Emeril’s Blackened Seasoning
• A Cajun Life Blackening Seasoning
• Chef Paul’s Magic Seasoning

Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free and Whole30?

While this easy salmon recipe is already gluten-free, low-carb, and keto friendly, you can also make it dairy-free and Whole30 compliant by using either vegan “butter” sticks or ghee.

Side Dishes to Serve with Blackened Salmon

This easy salmon recipe is already loaded with Cajun spices and is quite flavorful on its own.  My suggestions would be to serve it alongside a pretty mild side dish like these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Honey Oven Roasted Broccoli, or these Easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

Other Salmon Recipes:

Honey Sriracha Glazed Salmon

Basil & Lemon Baked Salmon in Foil

5-Minute Smoked Salmon Dip

Paleo Salmon Cakes

4.1 from 10 votes

Blackened Salmon Recipe

Blackened Salmon is an easy low-carb and keto salmon recipe that can be made in a cast iron skillet or baked in the oven with a homemade blackened seasoning mix in under 15 minutes.

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Course Dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American, Cajun

Keyword blackened salmon, blackened salmon recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 5 servings

Calories 283 kcal

London Brazil

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ lbs. salmon 5 4-oz. filets
• 2 Tbsp. blackened seasoning mix
• 2 Tbsp butter or dairy-free “butter” sticks
• Lemons optional
• Parsley optional

Instructions

1. Mix together your blackened seasoning ingredients.
2. Cut salmon into 5 filets and leave the skin on. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the seasoning mix over the salmon filets.

Skillet Blackened Salmon:

1. Heat up butter, or dairy-free “butter”, in a large cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon filets into the skillet flesh side-down and cook for 4-5 minutes.
2. Flip filets, cover skillet, and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature in the thickest portion of the filet reaches 145 degrees and fish flakes easily with a fork.. (You can measure this using a meat thermometer.)

Baked Blackened Salmon:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with either aluminum foil or parchment paper.
2. Place salmon filets in a single layer and divide cubed butter between the fillets.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees and fish flakes easily with a fork.
4. Serve blackened salmon immediately with lemon slices and a sprinkle of parsley. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Blackened Salmon Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 283 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Polyunsaturated Fat 4g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 74mg25%

Sodium 230mg10%

Potassium 595mg17%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Protein 22g44%

Vitamin A 185IU4%

Calcium 14mg1%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.