This easy cajun baked salmon recipe is ready in just 10-minutes! Get all of my best tips for cooking salmon in the oven that turns out perfectly each and every time!
Mix the Cajun seasoning: In a small bowl, mix all the Cajun Seasoning ingredients.
Prepare the Salmon: Line a baking sheet parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Salmon fillets usually come cleaned and ready to go from the market, but it’s always a good idea to run your fingers over the flesh and check for any small bones. These can be removed usually by hand but also with a pair of kitchen tweezers.
Sprinkle each fillet evenly over the top with the seasoning mixture. Gently rub the mix around to get even coverage. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily. The salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Do this by placing the tip of the meat thermometer gently intosalmonfillet at its thickest part.
Prepare the Lemon Butter Sauce: While the fish bakes, prepare the lemon butter sauce by melting the butter either in a small saucepan or in the microwave. Add the lemon zest and juice and stir to combine. Stir in the fresh parsley. Spoon sauce over fish at the table or just before serving.
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Baked Salmon FAQ:Can I cook my salmon less than the recipe says? Absolutely, some people prefer their salmon to be more or less well-done than prescribed in this recipe. The USDA recommends cooking salmon to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, so that's why I stated this temperature.Using a meat thermometer, I remove the salmon at 140 degrees F and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. During this resting period, the fish continues to cook raising the internal temperature of the fish to the recommended 145 degrees F.What’s the best way to thaw frozen fillets? To thaw salmon, wrap in plastic and allow to defrost slowly in the refrigerator overnight. Rinse with cool water and blot dry with paper towels prior to seasoning.Leftover Storage: Store remaining cooked salmon in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container not made from metal. Use within 3 days.Reheating Leftovers: Place the fillets on a rimmed baking sheet, cover them with foil (to prevent drying out the fillets), and heat in a 275 degree F oven until the fish registers 125 to 130 degrees F. This will take about 15 minutes for a 1-inch-thick fillet. Reheating times will vary according to the size and thickness of the fillets.As an alternative to reheating, I do recommend serving leftover salmon in a cold application like a salad with vinaigrette or Caesar dressing.