Oven Baked Cajun Salmon (Printable)
Spicy Cajun-seasoned salmon fillets baked to flaky, juicy perfection in just 25 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), 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 (optional, adjust to taste)
→ Garnish
08 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
09 - 1 small lemon, cut into wedges
# How-To Steps:
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 arrange 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. Stir until a uniform paste forms.
04 - Brush or rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the top 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. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges alongside.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It delivers bold, restaurant quality flavor with barely ten minutes of hands on work, which feels almost like cheating.
- The spice rub caramelizes in the oven and creates a crust that would make you swear it was pan seared.
02 -
- Overbaking by even two minutes turns luxurious salmon into something dry and chalky, so start checking at the 12 minute mark and pull it the moment it flakes.
- Letting the spice rub sit on the fish for 30 minutes before baking transforms the flavor from good to unforgettable because the salt penetrates and seasons from within.
03 -
- Patting the salmon completely dry before seasoning is the single most important step because moisture is the enemy of a good crust.
- Take the fish out of the fridge 15 minutes before baking so it cooks evenly from edge to center instead of being cold in the middle.