Oven Baked Cajun Salmon (Print version)
Bold Cajun-spiced salmon baked to juicy perfection in just 25 minutes. A quick, healthy weeknight dinner.
# What goes in:
→ Fish
01 - 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets, 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
# Cooking steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and place them skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir until a uniform paste forms.
04 - Brush or rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the tops 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 oven and let rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
# Tips from flavorandfeast:
01 -
- The spice rub forms a gorgeous crust that locks in every drop of moisture without needing a single drop of butter.
- It goes from fridge to table in under half an hour, which makes it a real weeknight hero when takeout starts calling your name.
02 -
- Overbaking is the single biggest enemy of good salmon, so start checking at 12 minutes because every oven runs differently and thin fillets cook faster than thick ones.
- Letting the rubbed fillets sit for 30 minutes in the fridge before baking was a game changer I discovered by accident when the doorbell rang mid prep.
03 -
- Invest in a cheap instant read thermometer because pulling the salmon at exactly 145 degrees Fahrenheit is the difference between silky and sawdusty.
- Homemade Cajun seasoning is just paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne blended together, and you control exactly how much heat goes in.