Description
Blackened Salmon with Crispy Skin is a flavorful and healthy dish featuring perfectly seasoned salmon fillets with a smoky, spicy blackening spice mix and irresistibly crispy skin. This quick and easy recipe delivers a tender, flaky interior paired with a crunchy exterior, ideal for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 skin-on fresh salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (natural)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (natural)
- 1 teaspoon salt (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (natural)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (natural)
Optional Variations
- Serving suggestion: smoked turkey bacon, crispy
- Incorporate diced smoked turkey slices for added protein
- Increase cayenne pepper for extra heat
- Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
- Replace lemon juice with grapefruit juice (natural) for citrus infusion
Instructions
- Prepare the Blackening Spice Mix: Combine smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir well to create a balanced spice blend that will coat your salmon beautifully.
- Prep the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up perfectly. Coat both sides generously with the blackening spice mix, making sure the skin side is well-seasoned.
- Heat the Pan: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. The pan should be hot but not smoking before adding the salmon to get that perfect sear.
- Cook the Salmon Skin-Side Down: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the pan. Press gently with a spatula to prevent curling and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: Turn the salmon over carefully and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the fish is just cooked through but still moist in the center.
- Add a Fresh Finish: Remove the salmon from the heat and squeeze fresh lemon juice (natural) over the top to brighten all those fantastic blackened flavors.
Notes
- Patience for the Crispy Skin: Let the salmon cook undisturbed skin-side down to achieve maximum crispiness.
- Use a Heavy Skillet: Cast iron or stainless steel pans retain heat well and help sear the fish evenly.
- Manage Heat Carefully: Medium-high heat allows a nice crust without burning the spices.
- Freshness Matters: Use the freshest salmon for the best texture and flavor.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the fillets in batches if needed, so they crisp evenly instead of steaming.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pan Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet (6 oz)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: blackened salmon, crispy salmon skin, smoked paprika salmon, healthy salmon recipe, spicy salmon, quick salmon dinner