Baked Blackened Salmon (And How Long to Bake)

This Baked Blackened Salmon makes the perfect easy dinner meal , just like our blackened shrimp and  Cajun dirty rice! You can cook it in just 15 minutes using olive oil, butter, garlic, and blackening seasoning. This recipe is keto and gluten-free!

What is blackened salmon?

Blackening is a style of cooking used in Cajun cuisine, popularized by Chef Paul Prudhomme. It uses high heat, combined with the browned milk solids from butter and charred spices, to produce a brown-black crust. 

Ingredients and Substitutions

Make this baked blackened salmon using just a few pantry ingredients:

• Salmon -- I used a whole filet with skin on.
• Olive oil– you can replace this with mild vegetable oil or butter.
• Unsalted butter – you can skip it or use dairy-free butter.
• Garlic– We use finely grated garlic to spread over the salmon filet.
• Blackening seasoning– I used a homemade blackened salmon seasoning that calls for a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasonings (but you can use a blend of oregano and thyme), salt, pepper, and cayenne. Some also include chili pepper and brown sugar in their blackened salmon recipe, but I find the addition of sugar unnecessary. The blackening cooking method does not require sugar – high heat is just applied to the fat and spices, resulting in a brown-black color salmon. No marinade is needed for this oven-baked salmon recipe!

Is Blackened Salmon in Oven Healthy?

Yes! It is  just salmon, oil, butter, and spices. That’s it! This baked blackened salmon is a healthy dinner protein that you can serve with cooked vegetables or any other healthy side of your choice.

What Is In Blackened Seasoning?

There are many slight variations. You can make this homemade blackening seasoning with onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. But you can also buy it pre-made at the supermarket. Be sure to read the label! Some of the most popular brands (e.g. Zatarain's) contain MSG, while others also have added sugar, wheat, or stabilizers.

Blackened Salmon Seasoning

I used a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasonings (but you can use a blend of oregano and thyme), salt, pepper, and cayenne. Some also include chili pepper and brown sugar in their blackened salmon recipe, but I find the addition of sugar not necessary. The blackening cooking method does not require sugar –  high heat is just applied to the butter and spices, resulting in a brown-black color salmon. You don’t need to marinate it!

Is this Blackened Salmon Recipe Keto-Friendly?

Yes! This Cajun blackened salmon is Keto and gluten-free, and can also be dairy-free and Paleo if you either omit the butter or use a dairy-free butter.

How long to bake salmon at 400 degrees F?

A whole salmon filet takes about 15 minutes to bake at 400° F. But the best way to check whether the fish cooked properly is with a meat thermometer. It must reach 145° F to be safe to eat.

Baked Blackened Salmon (How to Cook)

1. Make sure to remove the salmon from the fridge 20 minutes prior to bake. Preheat oven to 400º F (205º C).
2. Pat dry the salmon with a paper towel.
3. Mix one tablespoon of olive oil with the melted butter and brush the entire filet on top and sides. Spread the finely grated garlic all over.
4. Combine all the spices and season the filet well, pressing for the spice blend to adhere to it. Brush the remaining tablespoon of olive oil on the salmon. (SEE TOP IMAGE)
5. Place the seasoned salmon filet, skin side down, on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12 minutes then broil 2-3 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Insert a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the filet. It must reach an internal temp of 145 degrees F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check whether it was cooked through using a fork. The fish will flake easily when fully cooked!
7. Let baked salmon rest loosely covered with foil for 3 minutes before serving. Sprinkle the juice of a lemon on top, garnish with chopped parsley or dill, and enjoy!

NOTE: You can serve with a Remoulade sauce on the side if you want. SEE BOTTOM IMAGE

What internal temperature to cook oven baked salmon?

Salmon is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145° F or the fish flakes easily with a fork. You can check it by inserting a meat thermometer in the thickest portion of the filet.

What to Serve with Baked Blackened Salmon

The options are many. Here are a few:

• Air fryer asparagus
• Jasmine rice or Basmati rice
• Homemade bow tie pasta
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts 
• Grilled corn on the cob
• Yuca fries
• Roasted carrots and parsnips

How to Store Baked Salmon

Store baked blackened salmon leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months (one of many freezer-friendly recipes).

Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave just until hot.

Other fish recipes to enjoy:

• Salmon in air fryer
• Grilled salmon recipe
• Salmon soup
• Tilapia in air fryer
• Baked cod recipe
• Tuna ceviche

PIN & ENJOY!