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A close-up of a perfectly cooked savory Cajun spiced salmon fillet.

Speedy Cajun Spiced Salmon

This recipe offers two speedy methods to prepare delicious Cajun spiced salmon: pan-seared with lemon and asparagus or baked with roasted sweet potatoes and bell peppers. Both options are quick, flavorful, and perfect for a healthy meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 2 fillets
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Small bowl
  • Large skillet
  • Oven
  • Large baking sheet

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 6 ounces Salmon fillets (170g) per serving, skin on or off
  • Olive oil For searing/drizzling

Cajun Spice Blend

  • 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
  • 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper adjust to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt

For Dinner Idea 1 (Pan-Seared with Lemon & Asparagus)

  • 1 bunch Asparagus trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Lemon cut into wedges

For Dinner Idea 2 (Baked with Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Bell Peppers)

  • 1 Sweet potato large, peeled and cubed
  • 1 Bell pepper any color, cored and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions
 

Prep & Season (Both Methods)

  • Pat salmon fillets dry using paper towels to ensure a crispy texture.
  • Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl to create the Cajun spice blend. Mix thoroughly.
  • Drizzle olive oil over the salmon fillets, then generously rub the prepared Cajun spice blend onto all sides.

Method 1: Pan-Seared Cajun Spiced Salmon with Lemon & Asparagus

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add trimmed asparagus, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until it is tender-crisp. Remove asparagus and set aside.
  • Add more olive oil to the skillet if needed. Place the seasoned salmon fillets skin-side down (if applicable) in the hot skillet and cook for 4-6 minutes per side until the skin is crispy and the salmon flakes easily.
  • Transfer salmon and asparagus to plates, then squeeze fresh lemon wedges over the entire dish before serving.

Method 2: Baked Cajun Spiced Salmon with Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Bell Peppers

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a large baking sheet, toss the cubed sweet potato and chopped bell pepper with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper, spreading them in a single layer.
  • Roast the seasoned vegetables for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven, push the vegetables to one side and place the seasoned salmon fillets on the other side of the baking sheet.
  • Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 12-18 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily, and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
  • Divide the salmon and vegetables among plates, garnishing with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

For the Cajun spice blend, you can use 2-3 tablespoons of good quality pre-made Cajun seasoning instead of mixing individual spices. Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level. A meat thermometer can be used to ensure salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).