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Quick Pan-Seared Blackened Salmon with Homemade Spice Blend

A perfectly cooked fillet of blackened salmon served on a white plate next to a bright yellow lemon wedge.
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Make restaurant-quality blackened salmon fast. This recipe uses a simple homemade spice blend and pan-searing with avocado oil to create a spicy, flavorful crust on flaky salmon fillets, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and basil in a small bowl to create your homemade blackened seasoning blend.
  2. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry using paper towels. This helps create a better crust.
  3. Generously coat all sides of each salmon fillet with the prepared spice blend, pressing the seasoning firmly onto the fish.
  4. Heat the avocado oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron works well) over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers.
  5. Carefully place the seasoned salmon fillets into the hot skillet. If using skin-on fillets, place them skin-side down first.
  6. Sear the salmon for 4 to 5 minutes without moving them to develop a dark crust.
  7. Gently flip the fillets and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness, until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  8. Remove the salmon from the skillet and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges.

Notes

  • For an even healthier option, you can bake this salmon at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes instead of pan-searing.
  • If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the cayenne pepper to 1/2 teaspoon or omit it entirely.
  • This spice blend works well on chicken or shrimp too.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/blackened-salmon-quick-pan-seared-recipe/