30 Minute Cajun Salmon with Salted Lime Butter. {Video!}
I’ve got a super simple, healthy and ridiculously flavorful dinner for you!
Riiiight here. Cue all the exclamation points. Cajun salmon for the win!
I often wonder if literary scholars, English teachers and excellent writers in general still believe in the you-only-have-one-exclamation-point,-use-it-well rule now that it’s 2016 and the internet rules the world. Self expression in the form of exclamation points is very important, FYI. Also, self experssion in the form of exclamation points is a huge crutch. And also the worst.
But the best. How else would you know that this salmon is i!n!c!r!e!d!i!b!l!e!?
Sorry.
I’d jump through my screen and make it in your kitchen if I could, it’s that easy. I’d deliver it to you with a few beers or a glass of wine or maybe just four cans of your favorite la croix flavor. (< pssst. mine’s passionfruit, what’s yours?)
One of our absolute favorite comfort meals is this cajun chicken pot – we could probably eat it every week and be happy. Eddie could, for sure. It’s one dish that he requests frequently, and that’s huge because usually when I ask him “any ideas for dinner this week?” he responds with “I don’t know. I just ate. I can’t think of ideas when I’m full.”
And for the record, he ALWAYS “just ate.” Always.
It’s very inconvenient when my brain is lazy.
As a huge salmon lover, I’m always trying to find new favorite ways to flavor it. Eddie is not much of a salmon lover these days – I think he used to be, perhaps I served him one too many dried-out filets? Guilty.
It’s that, combined with loving burgers and pizza too much. He isn’t into it. So I was determined to make some spicy, flavorful salmon that he’d love and that chicken pot was my inspiration.
Problem though: I was completely out of cajun seasoning. I threw together a makeshift one of my own that was delish and might keep me from buying the bottled stuff from now on. I also made a boatload of it and Eddie has been sprinkling it on every bite of food he has put into his mouth since last week.
Probably even cookies. Maybe.
This buttery fish is topped with so much delicious spice that your taste buds will straight up lose.it.
And then! It’s topped with even more flavor as you scoop on a touch of salty lime butter while it’s still hot. It melts all over and runs down the sides and is worthy of so much more than one exclamation point, I swear.
Big bonus: it’s probably going to take you way less than 30 minutes – the most time consuming step will be measuring out your spices. Serve it with some rice and/or asparagus or something springlike and lovely. Thumbs up!
30 Minute Cajun Salmon with Salted Lime Butter
Ingredients
- 1 (2 pound) salmon filet
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- pinch of cayenne pepper
salted lime butter
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 lime, zest freshly grated
- 1/8 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler in your oven to high and set the oven rack about 6 inches below it.
- Place the salmon on a baking sheet and brush it with the grapeseed oil. If desired, you can rub it with 1 tablespoon of the lime butter instead (or in addition to, for flavor). In a bowl, stir together the paprika, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, pepper flakes and cayenne. Sprinkle it evenly over the top of the salmon filet and press gently to adhere.
- Broil the salmon for 6 to 8 minutes, or until just opaque and flakey with a fork. Remove from the oven and cover with a few teaspoons of the lime butter. Serve with rice and lime wedges for spritzing.
salted lime butter
- Stir together the butter, lime zest and salt until combined.
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
I’m thinking margarita.
68 Comments on “30 Minute Cajun Salmon with Salted Lime Butter. {Video!}”
I don’t really eat/enjoy fish, but this looks SO good. I’ve been trying to eat more fish as of late, but growing up with a vegetarian mom meant I never really had fish until high school/college. Trying to add more to my diet and I think this is a good way to start!
Omg my husband always give me the “I just ate, I can’t think of any other meals now” excuse all the time! It probably doesn’t help that I’m constantly planning our next meals.
This looks incredible! I’m obsessed with the salmon recipe from your book and it’s the only way I make salmon now but I have to try this one!
ah thanks mary!! so glad you like the recipe in the book!
Hahaha, I think those English teachers have given up on it a looooong time ago!!!!
Haha. I am one of those English teachers!! Anyhow, this fish looks like the fish we ordered while on vacation in Florida, but that was $30 bucks. Each.
What kind of rice did you use? It looks so good!
it’s trader joe’s brown jasmine rice! so good, my fave.
this salmon looks BOMB, and I’m not normally a salmon person! def trying this x
I know what I’m having for dinner tonight!! this looks amazing!
It looks like the salmon is sitting on parchment paper. Do you broil it that way? (Or is the parchment paper just for style/for photos?) The time I made your garlic butter salmon, the parchment paper caught on fire under the broiler…
i did! i don’t always, sometimes i use foil or sometimes i just do it on the sheet. i make sure the parchment is fitted on the sheet and sometimes i even rub a little oil on the sheet so it kinda stays “glued” down? I do watch it the entire time though!
My husband just requested cajun salmon for dinner! I made it on Monday and did a mix of cumin (my absolute FAVE), smoked paprika, onion powder, chili powder, S&P… it’s so simple and totally delicious. But I’m thinking this salted lime butter is a must for next time.
And I’m usually talking about what I am going to eat for my next meal while I’m currently eating this meal… why can’t the guys do the same?!
i always am too!
Yes yes yes! Totally making this for dinner tonight!
Just made it. Oh my gracious!!! SO GOOD! I’ll definitely be making it again.
so glad you liked it!! :)
I loved the char on the salmon. Beautiful!!! It is cooked to perfection and the proof lies in the pictures. Look at the juicy center of torn fish part. Hope I could cook with such a perfection. Well done.
thank you kavita!
My husband also gives me the “I’m full, just ate I can’t think of food right now” and of course drives me nuts, b/c I try to do as much meal planning as possible and that answer doesn’t help the situation. We are salmon lovers at the house, and we love all your salmon recipes so this one is going to happen tomorrow for dinner. I already had salmon on my meal plan, but undecided which way to make it. Thank you for recipes taking 30 mins or less. Favorite la croix flavor, probably pamplemousse or berry. Can’t decide. Right now I have a can half way in my fridge (covered) hoping it still has fuzz when I get home and I can’t even recall what flavor it is.
My mom makes a delicious salmon! She spreads a layer of mayo on it, a light sprinkling of soy across it, and Cajun seasoning on top, then put under broiler until cooked! SOOOO GOOD!!!!!
this sounds so delicious – i think i need to do it!
I’m definitely making this and a giant pitcher of margaritas this weekend! This looks amazing!
OMGoodness! This looks absolutely delicious!!! Thank you so much for posting this. I’ll be making this my best friend coming in from Australia next week! xoxo
This looks like my ideal way to eat salmon, I do eat fish but I’m really fussy about it so I prefer it to be flavoured with strong spices so it doesn’t taste too fishy… My partner is rubbish at helping to decide what to cook too and his suggestion is ALWAYS “pie”…
haha! pie for dinner, yes please.
Every time I see you make salmon it makes me so sad because I don’t like salmon and it looks so tasty!
Who cares about grammar when salmon is on the table???????? I would demolish this in a heartbeat and the world needs to know that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
right?! :)
Made it tonight, delicious! full of flavor and I had leftover cajun spices (doble the batch) and salted lime butter. Love recipes like this! Not complicated and amazing results. Perfect for weeknights.
so glad you liked it blanca!!
I have actually never cooked with salmon before, but I definitely want to! This looks perfect!
OMG my husband does the same!! You have to ask when they’re starving ;)
This looks delicious and I must try it.
Huge fan of yours, love your recipes, insta posts, Tuesday Things, etc!! xo
thanks rena!!
This looks absolutely easy and incredible!! Pinning and making!
This was so unbelievably delicious and ridiculously easy!! I won’t be having salmon any other way anytime soon. Thanks for the great recipe, as always!
so glad you liked it danielle!
Made this salmon last night for dinner and it was amazing! Paired it with a side of cilantro lime cauliflower “rice” and roasted asparagus. Can’t wait to make it again! Thanks for posting :)
sounds delicious! thanks for sharing!
I have evoo, of course, but no grapeseed oil. Can I use olive oil in lieu of grapeseed without drastically impacting the flavor?
yes definitely!
I made this for dinner tonight and it was phenomenal!!! Seriously some of the best salmon I’ve ever had and I’ve had A LOT of salmon haha. Thanks for the recipe Jess!
so glad you liked it molly!
Thank you for such an easy and delicious meal! I’ve never broiled salmon before and it was ah-mazing but its that salted lime butter I can’t stop thinking of….seriously, what else can I put it on?!
Also, I can’t emphasize more about trying to get my husband to help figure out dinner plans. Its never ending cycle of asking for dinner ideas and receiving none in return. *eyeroll*
I didn’t think I liked salmon, but this was incredible! Every recipe I’ve made of yours is fantastic!
A perfect way to eat Salmon! My son loves Salmon and always asks me to try something different every week. This recipe looks superb and will surely try it out tomorrow. Thanks for this mouth watering recipe. Explore a few more incredible simple recipes I found at http://www.simplynativefoods.com
I just made this tonight and it was dynamite. I also put that Cajun seasoning on some chicken for the people I live with that don’t do fish and they loved it! I’m definitely saving this recipe!
could you use olive oil as a substitute for the grapeseed oil?
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I made this the other night and it was delicious! I love how quick and easy it was too. I’m always looking for new salmon recipes and this one is definitely a keeper. Thanks for sharing!
This was SO GOOD!!!! We grilled our salmon instead of broiling and I couldn’t get enough. So simple, so delicious! I’m not always a salmon lover either — I need a good recipe to enjoy it, and this is definitely it! Thank you!
This is one of my favourite recipes from your website. Sooo good. Don’t skip the salted lime butter! It totally makes everything.
Have made this a number of times and it is excellent! My cooking time varies drastically from what you recommend (and we love our salmon medium-rare), but the flavor cannot be beat. Thank you for sharing!
Can frozen salmon be used for this recipe?
yes, but it should be thawed first. :)
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Excellent!
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Easy and great flavor. Made it for the third time so it’s definitely in the weekly rotation. I roast it at 400 for 12 minutes instead of broiling because I usually roast vegetables to go with it. Thanks for a great recipe.