Baked Salmon Cajun Spices (Printable Version)

Flaky salmon infused with bold Cajun spices, oven-baked for rich and effortless flavor.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless

→ Cajun Seasoning Blend

02 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
03 - 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

→ Other

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 lemon, sliced
11 - Fresh parsley, chopped
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
02 - Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. Arrange skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Combine Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Stir until thoroughly blended.
04 - Drizzle olive oil evenly over each salmon fillet. Rub gently to coat. Sprinkle seasoning mixture generously over the tops. Add salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Place a lemon slice on top of each fillet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
06 - For a crispy top, switch to broil for the final 1 to 2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
07 - Remove from oven. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with rice, roasted vegetables, or salad.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Ready in 25 minutes but tastes like you spent all day on it
  • The spice blend hits that perfect sweet spot between bold and burn
  • Clean up is minimal so you can actually relax after eating
02 -
  • Dry the fish thoroughly or the spices will slide right off instead of forming a crust
  • The internal temperature should hit 145°F but do not obsess, flaking easily with a fork is the real test
03 -
  • Let the salmon sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for more even results
  • Wild salmon needs less cooking time than farmed, start checking a couple minutes early

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