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.
CONTENTS
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.
Related recipes
If you've made this recipe or any other recipe on the blog - don't forget to rate it and leave a comment below. You can also follow the blog on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest OR sign up to the Newsletter for the latest delicious recipes.
📋 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.
Leave a Reply