Cajun Honey Butter Salmon Recipe
This Cajun Honey Butter Salmon recipe delivers a perfect balance of bold, spicy Cajun seasoning with a sweet and savory honey butter sauce. Pan-seared to achieve a crispy crust and finished with a luscious honey garlic glaze, this dish is both flavorful and elegant, making it ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
- Author: Amy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (skin on)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt (to taste)
Honey Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Juice of ½ lemon
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Black sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Season the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Rub each fillet evenly with olive oil, then generously season with Cajun seasoning and salt to taste.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side up and sear for about 3 minutes without moving them so they develop a crispy crust. Flip the salmon so the skin side is down and cook for another 2 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce: While the salmon cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic, stirring until combined. Let the mixture simmer gently for a couple of minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice for brightness.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the honey butter sauce over the salmon fillets in the skillet. Continue cooking the salmon while spooning the sauce over the fillets regularly for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the salmon to finish cooking through.
- Garnish and Serve: Once the salmon is fully cooked, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, sprinkle with black sesame seeds, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.
Notes
- Ensure the skillet is hot before adding the salmon to achieve a nice crust.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning according to your spice preference.
- Using skin-on salmon helps to keep the fillets intact and adds a crispy texture.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Cajun salmon, honey butter salmon, pan-seared salmon, spicy salmon recipe, quick salmon dinner