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Baked Cajun Salmon

Baked Cajun Salmon

Baked Cajun Salmon is a quick, healthy, and flavorful dish featuring tender, flaky salmon seasoned with a bold Cajun spice blend. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressive dinners, it delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

  • 4 fresh salmon fillets (wild-caught if possible, thick and evenly sized)

Cajun Spice Blend

  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Other Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or coconut oil for nut-free option)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: 1 clove garlic, finely minced

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  2. Season the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Brush a thin layer of olive oil over each piece to help the spices stick. Generously sprinkle the Cajun spice blend over the salmon on all sides, pressing gently to adhere. Drizzle with a little lemon juice for fresh tang.
  3. Bake to Perfection: Arrange the seasoned salmon fillets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and edges are flaky pink.
  4. Final Touches: Remove salmon from oven and let rest briefly. Optionally, squeeze additional fresh lemon juice over the fillets and garnish with chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill before serving.

Notes

  • Choose salmon fillets of similar thickness for even cooking.
  • Don’t overcook—remove salmon as soon as it flakes easily to keep it moist.
  • Adjust Cajun spice blend according to your heat preference.
  • Allow salmon to come to room temperature for 15 minutes before baking for even cooking.
  • Use a meat thermometer aiming for 125°F (52°C) internal temperature for optimal tenderness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Baked Cajun Salmon, Cajun Salmon Recipe, Spicy Salmon, Healthy Salmon, Quick Salmon Recipe, Gluten Free Salmon