I'm a huge seafood lover and salmon is probably my favorite fish to prepare for dinner. It's so versatile, you really can cook it in so many different ways, but blackened is my absolute favorite....AND it's sooooo easy!! For this recipe, I paired this blackened salmon with my Cilantro Lime Rice and topped it with my Fresh Mango Salsa recipe. It really makes for such a delicious, bright, and fresh summer dinner.
What exactly is blackened salmon?? Well, it's actually the style that the salmon is cooked. You generously coat the salmon in a variety of spices and then cook over high heat, which then creates a blackened crust. Most recipes for blackened salmon require butter and cooking it over high heat in a pan, but I like to blacken mine in the oven using olive oil. It's a bit more healthy this way. The best part about blackened salmon is that incredibly flavorful crust that forms on the outside. And you can really use whatever spices float your boat for this.
To start, you will need 2 medium personal-sized salmon fillets. (unless you are cooking for more than two people, and if so, you can adjust the recipe accordingly). I like to go with wild-caught salmon, it tends to have a better flavor (in my opinion).
Preheat the oven to 375 F.
Line a medium-sized rimmed baking sheet with foil, add a small drizzle of olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan, then place the 2 salmon fillets in the pan with the skin down. With a paper towel, pat the salmon fillets dry. It's important that they are very dry, this will help the seasoning to adhere to the salmon in order to create that amazing caramelized crust.
In a small bowl mix together 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp of paprika, a pinch of cayenne, 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tsp of brown sugar. The brown sugar will help with a more caramelized crust and it gives a deliciously sweet twist to the blackened flavors.
Sprinkle the combined spices over the salmon fillets and gently rub the spices into the salmon. Repeat this step until the salmon is fully coated.
Place the salmon in the oven and cook for 12 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes or until the top of the salmon looks blackened. Broiling the salmon ensures that nice crust on the outside.
You can serve this salmon with just about anything, it's absolutely delicious! But for this specific recipe pictured above (my favorite dish for blackened salmon), follow the steps below, I promise you won't be disappointed.
Take the salmon out of the oven and serve over a bed of Cilantro Lime Rice and then top it with some Fresh Mango Salsa.
Hope you enjoy!! Let me know what you think!
INGREDIENTS:
2 medium personal-sized wild-caught salmon fillets
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
A pinch cayenne
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp brown sugar
Drizzle of olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Line a medium-sized rimmed baking sheet with foil, add a drizzle of olive to coat the bottom of the pan, then place the salmon fillets in the pan with the skin down.
3. Pat the fillets with a paper towel until they are very dry.
4. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, cayenne, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
5. Sprinkle the seasoning on the fillets and gently rub into the salmon, repeat until the salmon is fully coated.
6. Place the salmon in the oven and cook for 12 minutes. Then, broil for 2-3 minutes or until the top of the salmon looks blackened.
7. Take salmon out of the oven and serve immediately.
Enjoy!!
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