Oven Baked Cajun Salmon (Printable)
Bold Cajun-spiced salmon baked to juicy perfection. Quick, healthy, and full of flavor for any night.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless
→ Cajun Seasoning Mix
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
07 - 1/4 tsp sea salt, adjust to taste
→ Garnish
08 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
09 - 1 small lemon, cut into wedges
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.
02 - Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and place them skin side down on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and sea salt until well blended.
04 - Brush or rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the tops and sides of each salmon fillet, ensuring full coverage.
05 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
06 - Remove from the oven and let the salmon rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The spice rub comes together in about sixty seconds and transforms plain salmon into something that tastes like it came from a restaurant.
- It is naturally gluten free and low carb, which means everyone at the table can enjoy it without any special adjustments.
02 -
- If you leave the salmon in even two minutes too long it will go from silky to dry, so start checking at the 12 minute mark rather than waiting for the timer.
- Letting the spice rub sit on the fish for 30 minutes before baking deepens the flavor dramatically and is worth the extra wait.
03 -
- Take the salmon out of the fridge 15 minutes before baking so it cooks evenly instead of being cold in the center.
- A thin layer of mayonnaise rubbed under the spice paste sounds strange but keeps the fish incredibly moist.