This easy blackened salmon recipe is one of those go-to recipes you’ll come back to again and again. With just three simple ingredients—fresh salmon fillets, vegetable oil, and our homemade blackened seasoning—you get bold New Orleans–style flavor with very little effort. Starting on the stove top and finishing in the oven gives you the best results every time: a deeply seasoned crust and perfectly cooked, flaky salmon. Perfect protein meal to serve with steamed veggies or a salad. 

This classic blackening technique, inspired by Chef Paul Prudhomme, relies on a hot pan, a flavorful spice blend, and proper timing. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, yet impressive enough for a casual dinner party.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Only 3 ingredients!
   This is truly the easiest way to make the best blackened salmon with simple ingredients you can find at most grocery stores.
2. Perfect texture every time!
   Searing in a hot cast iron skillet and finishing in the oven ensures the salmon reaches the right internal temperature without drying out.
3. Healthy and versatile!
   Wild-caught salmon is rich in fatty acids and known for its many health benefits, making this an easy, nourishing main dish for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 2 (8 oz.) salmon fillets (about a pound of salmon, skin on recommended)
• Vegetable oil (just enough to coat the pan)
• Our homemade blackening seasoning

How to Make Blackened Salmon (Stove Top + Oven)

1. Preheat the oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F. 
2. Prep the salmon
   Pat the fresh salmon filets dry with paper towels and place them on a large plate. Add a small drizzle of vegetable oil onto the salmon, and rub it over the entire piece of fish, both skin and flesh side. 
3. Season generously
   Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over flesh side of the fish fillets. The oil will allow the seasoning to stay on the fish. Allow seasoned salmon to set for a few minutes.
4. Prepare the cast iron skillet
   Place a large cast-iron skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat on the stove and add a thin layer of vegetable oil. You want a hot pan.
5. Sear skin side up first
   When the oil is hot, carefully place the salmon skin side up into the skillet. Always move the salmon away from you as you add it to the pan to avoid oil splatter.
   Cook for about 2 minutes without moving it to properly sear salmon and develop the crust.
6. Flip and finish in the oven
   Using a spatula or tongs, turn the salmon over so it’s skin side down. Immediately transfer the entire hot skillet to the preheated oven. Cook for 5 more minutes, depending on how you like your salmon cooked. The salmon is done when it reaches your preferred internal temperature (about 125–130°F for medium).
7. Serve
   Remove from the oven, let rest briefly, and finish with a squeeze of lemon or fresh lemon wedges.

Recipe notes: Traditional blackening often uses unsalted butter; the milk solids help create the crust. If you would like to use butter, add a pat of it at the end when it comes out of the oven, and allow it to melt, then spoon it over the top, for a rich flavor. 

What to Serve With Blackened Salmon

• A crisp salad with our Caesar dressing
• Brown rice or sweet potatoes
• Steamed asparagus and roasted potatoes
• A sprinkle of fresh herbs and extra lemon

Favorite ways to use leftovers include:

• Salmon tacos with cabbage and arugula
• A quick salmon salad for lunch
• Flaked salmon over greens with Caesar dressing

Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips for Success

• Use wild salmon or wild-caught salmon when possible for the best texture and flavor.
• Make sure your pan is fully heated—this is key to the classic blackening technique.
• This method works well for other firm-bodied fish, not just salmon.

Whether you’re cooking for family or need a reliable easy salmon recipe, this is a flavorful, foolproof option you’ll want on repeat.

How to Make Blackened Salmon (Stove Top + Oven)

Make blackened salmon from prep to meal time in less than 15 minutes! Only 3 ingredients, and one pan!

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

1 minute minute

Total Time: 13 minutes minutes

Course: dinner, lunch, mealprep

Cuisine: American, seafood, southern

Keyword: 15 minute meals

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 442kcal

Equipment

• Cast Iron Pan
• Spatula
• Tongs

Ingredients

• 16 ounces Salmon Skin on, Divided into 2 pieces
• 1 tbsp Vegetable oil to coat the salmon
• 1 tbsp Blackening seasoning
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil to coat bottom of cast iron pan

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Pat the fresh salmon filets dry with paper towels and place them on a large plate. Add a small drizzle of vegetable oil onto the salmon, and rub it over the entire piece of fish, both skin and flesh side.
  16 ounces Salmon, 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
• Sprinkle the blackened seasoning evenly over flesh side of the fish fillets. The oil will allow the seasoning to stay on the fish. Allow seasoned salmon to set for a few minutes.
  1 tbsp Blackening seasoning
• Place a large cast-iron skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat on the stove and add a thin layer of vegetable oil. You want a hot pan.
  1 tbsp vegetable oil
• When the oil is hot, carefully place the salmon skin side up into the skillet. Always move the salmon away from you as you add it to the pan to avoid oil splatter.
• Cook for about 2 minutes without moving it to properly sear salmon and develop the crust.
• Using a spatula or tongs, turn the salmon over so it’s skin side down. Immediately transfer the entire hot skillet to the preheated oven. Cook for 5 more minutes, depending on how you like your salmon cooked. The salmon is done when it reaches your preferred internal temperature (about 125–130°F for medium).
• Remove from the oven, let rest briefly, and finish with a squeeze of lemon or fresh lemon wedges.

Notes

Recipe notes: Traditional blackening often uses unsalted butter; the milk solids help create the crust. If you would like to use butter, add a pat of it at the end when it comes out of the oven, and allow it to melt, then spoon it over the top, for a rich flavor. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 442kcal | Protein: 45g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 633mg | Potassium: 1111mg | Vitamin A: 91IU | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

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