Cajun Honey Butter Salmon: Sweet & Spicy Flaky Fish (Print Version)
Cajun Honey Butter Salmon: Sweet, spicy, and flaky. Your new favorite quick weeknight dinner, packed with irresistible flavor.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 18 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American (Southern-inspired)
Dietary: Pescatarian
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
4 (6 oz) fresh salmon fillets, skin-on or off
02 -
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
→ Flavor Boosters
03 -
2 tablespoons honey
04 -
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or more, to taste)
05 -
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
→ Fresh Accents
06 -
1 lemon, half for juice, half for wedges
07 -
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
→ Seasoning Basics
08 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, grab those salmon fillets and pat them really, really dry with paper towels. This is a game-changer, honestly! It helps the seasoning stick and encourages that gorgeous, slightly crispy exterior. If you skip this, the butter might just slide right off, and we don't want that. I usually set them on a plate and let them sit for a few minutes while I get the other stuff ready. You'll see, it makes all the difference.
02 -
Now for the good stuff! In a small bowl, melt your unsalted butter. You can do this gently in the microwave or a little saucepan. Once it’s melted, whisk in the honey, your favorite Cajun seasoning, and the minced fresh garlic. Stir it all together until it’s beautifully combined and smells absolutely divine – sweet, spicy, and garlicky. This is where the kitchen starts to smell amazing, I swear. Don't be shy with that whisk!
03 -
Place your dried salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (trust me, cleanup is a breeze!). Give each fillet a light sprinkle of salt and pepper, then generously brush that glorious Cajun Honey Butter mixture all over the top and sides of the salmon. Make sure every crevice gets some love! I usually save a tiny bit of the mixture for brushing on halfway through, just to keep things moist and flavorful.
04 -
Pop that baking sheet into your preheated oven at 400°F (200°C). Bake for about 12-18 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon. You want it to be cooked through but still super moist and flaky. I always start checking around the 12-minute mark because I've definitely overcooked salmon before, and that's just a tragedy. It should flake easily with a fork, but not be dry, you know?
05 -
If you want that extra little bit of caramelization and crispiness on top, switch your oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes. Keep a very close eye on it, though! Seriously, broilers are sneaky; one minute it's perfect, the next it's burnt. I once walked away for "just a second" and came back to blackened fish. Oops! But when it works, it’s just *chef's kiss*.
06 -
Once your salmon is perfectly cooked, pull it out of the oven. Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over each fillet – it really brightens up all those rich flavors. Then, sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley. The green pop of color is so pretty, and the freshness is a lovely contrast. Serve your Cajun Honey Butter Salmon immediately with your favorite sides. It looks, smells, and tastes like pure happiness!
# Notes:
01 -
Always pat your salmon fillets super dry before seasoning; it helps create a better crust and ensures the sauce sticks.
02 -
Leftover salmon reheats best gently in a pan or low oven; microwaving can dry it out and separate the sauce.
03 -
If you're out of Cajun seasoning, a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and dried thyme works surprisingly well.
04 -
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the very end truly brightens up all the rich, spicy-sweet flavors.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Baking sheet
02 -
parchment paper
03 -
small mixing bowl
04 -
whisk
05 -
basting brush
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 15g
Protein: 35g