Blackened Salmon Recipe
This blackened salmon recipe is flavorful, savory, and super easy to make on a weeknight. With its crispy crust and tender center, it's a seafood dish you'll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, thyme, and brown sugar. Stir everything together until evenly mixed.
- Pat your salmon dry. Roll each piece in the spice mixture until fully coated on all sides. Press gently so the mixture sticks well to the fish.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Place the salmon skin side up in the pan and sear for about 4 minutes, or until a crisp crust forms.
- Flip the salmon skin side down, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for another 3 minutes (or a few minutes more depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets).
- Plate immediately with lemon or lime wedges, fresh herbs, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Don't Skip the Drying Step: Patting the salmon dry before seasoning ensures the spices stick better and creates a crispier crust.
Use a Nonstick or Cast Iron Pan: These pans hold heat well and prevent the fish from sticking.
Watch the Heat: Medium-high is perfect for searing, but turn it down after flipping to avoid burning the sugar in the spice mix.
Let the Salmon Rest: A quick 2-minute rest after cooking helps keep it juicy.