Description
Cajun honey butter salmon delivers a zesty Louisiana-inspired seafood experience with bold spices and sweet undertones. Balanced flavors meld together, offering you a delightful culinary journey that combines rich salmon with aromatic Cajun seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- 3 tbsps (45 mL) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) honey
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
- 2 tsp (10 mL) Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) paprika
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) garlic powder
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 mL) black pepper
- 1 tsp (5 mL) lemon juice
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) red pepper flakes (optional)
- fresh parsley or green onions, chopped
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat salmon fillets completely dry to achieve a perfect golden crust, removing all surface moisture with paper towels.
- Seasoning: Coat salmon evenly with olive oil, then liberally apply Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, pressing spices gently to create a robust flavor profile.
- Searing: Heat cast-iron skillet to medium-high temperature, carefully place salmon skin-side down, and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until edges transform into a crispy, caramelized texture.
- Cooking: Flip salmon delicately, continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until fish reaches optimal tenderness and desired internal temperature.
- Glaze Creation: Simultaneously prepare honey butter sauce by melting butter and whisking honey until smooth and glossy.
- Finishing: Remove salmon from heat, generously drizzle warm honey butter sauce over fillets, allowing slight caramelization to enhance flavor complexity.
- Presentation: Transfer glazed salmon to serving plates, optional garnish with fresh herbs or lemon wedges, and serve immediately while sauce remains glistening and fish maintains peak temperature.
Notes
- Master Moisture Control: Pat salmon fillets completely dry to achieve a perfectly crisp, golden-brown exterior that locks in rich flavors and prevents steaming.
- Optimize Spice Adhesion: Press seasonings gently into the fish surface to ensure maximum flavor penetration and even coating during cooking.
- Manage Heat Precision: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to guarantee consistent searing and prevent salmon from becoming tough or rubbery.
- Customize Dietary Adaptations: Swap honey with maple syrup for vegan options, use gluten-free Cajun seasoning for sensitive diets, or reduce salt for low-sodium preferences.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg