Description
Cajun honey butter salmon brings together spicy Creole seasonings and sweet honey for a mouthwatering seafood experience. Southern coastal flavors meld perfectly with rich butter, creating an irresistible dinner that satisfies and delights you.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps honey
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (for seasoning)
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (for finishing)
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat salmon fillets completely dry to create a moisture-free surface for optimal seasoning adherence and crisp exterior development.
- Seasoning: Coat salmon thoroughly with olive oil, then generously apply Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, massaging the spices into every crevice of the fish for maximum flavor infusion.
- Searing: Heat a large skillet over medium-high flame, introducing a light oil layer to prevent sticking, then carefully place salmon skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until skin achieves a golden, crispy texture.
- Cooking: Flip fillets and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 145°F/63°C for perfect doneness while maintaining a succulent interior.
- Glaze Creation: Simultaneously whisk melted butter, honey, additional Cajun seasoning, fresh lemon juice, and red pepper flakes in a separate bowl to craft a vibrant, glossy sauce.
- Finishing: Drench salmon with the honey-butter mixture, continuously spooning the glaze over the fillets for 30 seconds to intensify flavor and create a luxurious coating.
- Serving: Transfer salmon to serving plates, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or green onions for a burst of color, and accompany with lemon wedges, fluffy rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp garden salad.
Notes
- Blot Fish Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture with paper towels to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in flavor and prevents soggy texture.
- Control Heat Carefully: Maintain medium-high heat to create a perfect sear without burning the delicate salmon, watching for golden-brown edges as a visual cue for ideal cooking.
- Glaze Timing Matters: Add honey-butter sauce in the last 30 seconds of cooking to prevent burning and ensure a glossy, caramelized coating that enhances the salmon’s natural richness.
- Customize Spice Level: Adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to suit personal heat preferences, allowing flexibility for those who enjoy milder or more intense flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg