Easy Cajun grilled salmon recipe
For a light lunch or dinner with a flavour that packs a punch, try this super simple salmon recipe
Ingredients
For the salmon
- 4 salmon fillets 150-180g each
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- A squeeze of lemon for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Rub the vegetable oil evenly over all sides of each fillet.
- Make the cajun seasoning: Mix together the garlic powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Season the salmon: Generously sprinkle the cajun seasoning over all sides of the salmon fillets, pressing gently to help it stick. Let the seasoned salmon rest for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill or grill pan to medium heat (around 180°C). Lightly oil the grill grates using a folded paper towel dipped in oil.
- Grill the salmon: Place the salmon fillets on the grill, skin side down if using skin-on salmon. Cook for 5 minutes without moving. Flip carefully and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the second side.
- Check for doneness: The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F) and flakes easily with a fork. It should be opaque throughout with just a hint of translucency in the centre.
- Rest and serve: Transfer the salmon to a serving plate and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges.
Notes
- Spice level: For a milder version, reduce the cayenne pepper to ¼ teaspoon or omit entirely.
- Make ahead: The cajun spice blend can be prepared up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container.
- Marinating time: You can season the salmon up to 2 hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge for deeper flavour penetration.
- Oven method: Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6). Bake on a lined baking tray for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
- Cooking tip: A 2cm thick fillet will need about 10 minutes total cooking time. Adjust for thicker or thinner fillets.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcalProtein: 35gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3g