A tasty chili rub gives this blackened salmon a wonderful flavor, and cooking it in a hot pan keeps it extra juicy.
In this blackened salmon recipe, a cajun style rub gives the fish wonderful warmth and depth of flavor, with just the right amount of heat.
A tasty way to prepare salmon
I really like salmon and make it quite often for my family. I love making baked salmon because it’s so easy and tasty. But this blackened salmon recipe is even better because it’s so flavorful.
The spice combination is amazing. And when it gets charred in a hot skillet, the flavor is wonderful. Blackening also keeps the salmon extra juicy.
Salmon is fatty and flavorful enough to withstand bold seasonings, and the chili rub is just fabulous. I also like how quick this recipe is. And not heating an oven is definitely an added bonus!
The ingredients you’ll need
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:
- Dry rub: Chili powder, garlic powder, and kosher salt. If using fine salt, you might want to reduce the amount you use.
- Salmon fillets.
- Avocado oil for frying: This oil has a high smoke point so it’s suitable for high-heat cooking.
How to make blackened salmon
It’s so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
- Mix the dry rub ingredients and rub them all over the salmon.
- Cook the salmon in avocado oil over medium-high heat, about 3 minutes per side.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let it finish cooking in the skillet for 5 more minutes.
Is blackening healthy?
It’s true that blackening walks a fine line between “done” and “burned.” And it’s also true that charred, burned foods should not be consumed regularly. This article from Harvard Medical School says that people should avoid eating burned or charred foods frequently or in large quantities.
Since I don’t serve blackened food to my family more than once a month (I simply have so many more recipes that I like to make!), I don’t worry about it too much. But if you do, then there are gentler ways to cook salmon. The gentlest? Poached salmon.
How to serve blackened salmon?
With any side dish you like! It’s so versatile. I often serve it with ratatouille, with garlic Parmesan spaghetti squash or with carrot chips.
What about leftovers?
You can keep leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for up to 3 days. Reheat them very gently though, covered, in the microwave on 50% power. I sometimes crumble them cold over a salad the next day for my lunch.
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Blackened Salmon
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 (6 oz) fillets of wild-caught salmon (I used king salmon)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, garlic powder and kosher salt. Rub all over the fish.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, about 3 minutes. Brush with the oil.
- Place the fish in the skillet. Cook until blackened and crisp, 3 minutes per side.
- Remove the skillet from heat and cover it tightly with foil. Allow the salmon to finish cooking from the residual heat, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., has been following a healthy real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She has taken 
