If you're looking for a delicious, healthy, and easy meal, let me tempt you with this baked cajun honey butter salmon. This dish is perfect for any special occasion, and it's also great for everyday meals.
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Why this recipe works
- It's super simple to make. Rub the cajun spices over the salmon fillet, cook it in the oven and finish it off with a delicious honey butter sauce. It's an easy weeknight meal. And don't forget to pair it with some roasted asparagus with feta for the ultimate summer dinner.
- It tastes amazing! It's got a wonderful blend of flavours and textures: tender, crispy skin, moist flesh, and a luscious, flavoursome sauce.
- It's quick. This cajun honey butter salmon has a short cooking time and is ready in under 15 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights.
Related: Love salmon? Try my grilled salmon burgers or my honey garlic salmon in the air fryer for more inspiration.
What goes into this recipe
- Salmon fillets - use fresh salmon if you can get hold of it and bring it to room temperature. Alternatively, you can use frozen salmon fillets, but ensure they have thawed before using.
- Olive oil - I'm using a little olive oil to coat the fish before applying the cajun seasoning.
- Cajun Seasoning - Store-bought cajun spices are perfect if you're in a pinch. However, be a little adventurous and make your own (recipe below).
- Butter - I'm opting for unsalted butter in this recipe.
- Honey - Combined with the butter, it adds a delicate sweetness that pairs with the salmon perfectly. Substitute with maple syrup if you don't have any on hand.
Cajun Seasoning
Making a cajun spice mix is better than buying a pre-made store-bought version. You can control how much of each spice you add and make it according to your taste.
Combine a teaspoon of each of the following:
- garlic powder
- cayenne
- salt
- onion powder
- paprika (sub with smoked paprika)
- oregano
- White pepper - (you can sub with black pepper).
Use a few teaspoons with the recipe, and store any remaining spices in an airtight container.
How to make this recipe
Step 1: Clean and pat dry the salmon with a paper towel. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the salmon pieces.
Step 2: Sprinkle over the cajun seasoning and rub well into the flesh.
Step 3: Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake for 10-12 minutes until the flesh is tender.
Step 4: The salmon is cooked when it flakes easily and it feels soft.
Step 5: Combine the melted butter with the honey in a small bowl and brush over the baked cajun salmon.
Step 6: Serve immediately with your desired sides.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with my Greek lemon rice and grilled asparagus in foil for a delicious weeknight meal.
- Make my roasted Greek potatoes and serve them alongside a Greek lettuce salad.
Expert tips
- Rinse the salmon in cold water and use a paper towel to pat it dry.
- Always check for hidden pin bones and remove them appropriately using tweezers or a small pair of kitchen tongs.
- Preheat the oven to achieve the best results.
- Don't overcook the salmon. You want the top and bottom of the fish to be cooked through but not dry. The middle should still have a little bit of moisture. 12 minutes is the sweet spot for the size of the fillets
- Serve immediately. Once cooked, the salmon tends to dry out quickly.
FAQ's
Yes, this recipe works well with grilled salmon. Keep the temperature at 200°C (400°F) and place the fillets' skin side down over direct heat on a preheated grill. Cook for 10 minutes and serve immediately.
The salmon will change colour and flake easily when pressed between your fingers. If you want to be sure, use a meat thermometer - it should read 50°C (120°F) at the thickest part of the salmon fillet.
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📖 Recipe
Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
Ingredients
- 300 grams (10 ounces) salmon fillets, cleaned and pat dry
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon butter, unsalted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Clean and pat dry the salmon with a paper towel. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the salmon pieces.
- Sprinkle over the cajun seasoning and rub well into the flesh.
- Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake for 10-12 minutes until the flesh is tender.
- Once cooked, combine the melted butter with the honey in a small bowl and brush over the baked cajun salmon.
- Serve immediately with your desired sides.
Notes
- Rinse the salmon in cold water and use a paper towel to pat it dry.
- Always check for hidden pin bones and remove them appropriately using tweezers or a small pair of kitchen tongs.
- Preheat the oven to achieve the best results.
- Don't overcook the salmon. You want the top and bottom of the fish to be cooked through but not dry. The middle should still have a little bit of moisture. 12 minutes is the sweet spot for the size of the fillets.
- Serve immediately. Once cooked, the salmon tends to dry out quickly.
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Souvlaki For the Soul
This post was first published in February 2012 but was updated with new content and pictures in May 2022.
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