Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

This Cajun Honey Butter Salmon recipe has the tastiest spice rub and pan sauce. Flaky salmon packed with Cajun flavor. A 10-minute easy meal.

A cast iron skillet contains 4 salmon fillets that have been seasoned with Cajun spices and brushed with honey butter.
  • SO tasty: buttery, flaky salmon generously spiced with a scrumptious blend of Cajun spices (which all happen to be pantry staples), finished with a sticky, spicy sauce: this recipe will undoubtedly make it into your regular weeknight rotation.
  • Quick and easy: Salmon fillets could in minutes, and this buttery cajun honey pan sauce is so simple and fast.
  • As healthy as it is delicious: loaded with protein and nutritious omega 3 fats, this is one lip-smacking dish that also happens to be good for you.

Gather Your Ingredients

Ingredients for Cajun Honey Butter Salmon laid out on a kitchen countertop
  • Cajun Spice Mix: An aromatic blend of paprika, salt, onion powder, thyme, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper and cayenne pepper to give a unique kick of flavours. Make this spice mix from scratch with the recipe below or swap in storebought.
  • Avocado Oil: For cooking the salmon; it is heat-stable and has a neutral taste that won’t overpower the spice mix.
  • Salmon: For this recipe you’ll need 4 5-6 oz portions of salmon.
  • Butter: To add creaminess and flavour to the pan sauce.
  • Honey: Sweetens up the pan sauce and adds a nice contrast against the spiciness of the Cajun spices.
  • Red Chilli Flakes: To give an extra bit of heat to the dish.

Grab These Tools

  • Sharp Knife: A sharp knife is essential for cutting salmon if you’re going to buy one large filet and cut it into smaller portions.
  • Cast Iron Skillet: If you have one, use it – it gives fish an amazing texture and a beautiful golden sear!
  • Thermometer: Use this to check that your salmon has reached the perfect temperature of 125 degrees F (for perfectly cooked, moist fish).
  • Small Mixing Bowl: For combining all the wonderful spices together into a unique flavour blend.
The spices are mixed together in a small bowl. Then, the salmon is patted dry with paper towels and the spice mix is sprinkled evenly over both sides of the fish.

How To Make It: Step-by-Step Directions For Preparing The Dish

  • Mix Spices: Combine all spices together in a small bowl.
  • Prepare Salmon: Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and sprinkle the spice mix evenly over both sides of the fish.
In the cast iron skillet, the salmon is cooked undisturbed until it releases easily from the pan over medium-high heat with preheated oil for about 4 minutes.
  • Cook Salmon: Preheat a cast iron (or nonstick) skillet for several minutes over medium-high heat. Add oil and let it preheat for 30 seconds before adding the salmon (skin-side-down if it has skin). Cook undisturbed until it releases easily from the pan, about 4 minutes. Flip the salmon and add the butter to the pan. Once melted, tilt the pan and spoon the butter over the salmon for 1-2 minutes until salmon is cooked through (it should reach 125ºF for perfectly moist fish; if you don’t have a thermometer, test with a knife – it will flake easily and be opaque when done). Transfer salmon to a plate to rest for a few minutes.
Salmon is flipped, and butter is added to the pan. Once melted, the pan is tilted and the butter is spooned over the salmon for 1-2 minutes until the salmon is cooked through.
  • Make Sauce: Add honey to the pan with a pinch of salt and chili flakes; simmer until slightly thickened and glossy, less than a minute. Spoon sauce over cooked salmon fillet before serving.
The sauce is made by adding honey to the pan with a pinch of salt and chili flakes. It is simmered until slightly thickened and glossy, which takes less than a minute. The finished sauce is then spooned over the cooked salmon fillet before serving.

Make It A Meal: How To Serve It

Plate the salmon and spoon with a little more sauce. Garnish with freshly chopped chives, fresh thyme or oregano and/or a slice of lemon if you like. I love to serve it over a fluffy mound of mashed potatoes or with my easiest one-pan au gratin potatoes. Or keep it super simple and serve with warm baguette as the starch.

Cajun Honey Butter Salmon served over a fluffy mound of mashed potatoes and beans, topped with a drizzle of the honey sauce.

Choose the Perfect Side Dishes

Make Ahead And Storage Tips

  • Container Prep: For quick storage, portion out individual servings of cooked salmon into airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to four days for easy lunches.
  • Leftover Love: When you have leftovers, transform them with creative recipes. Salmon wraps or salmon tacos are always a hit!
  • If using frozen salmon, thaw it in the fridge overnight or submerged in cool water for 30-60 minutes (as long as it’s in an airtight bag).

Other Salmon Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of easy weeknight dinners, add my Baked Salmon with Mayonnaise to your weekly rotation. This recipe features a melt-in-your-mouth piece of salmon that’s baked in a creamy, beautifully-balanced sauce, making it both simple and healthy.

And for a sweet and savory option, try my Honey Teriyaki Glazed Salmon Bowl, featuring tender and flaky salmon coated in a flavorful 3-ingredient glaze and a simple yet tasty creamy sesame sauce.

Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Servings 4
Dinner
American
Keyword Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

Ingredients
 
 

For Cajun Spice Mix:

  • 1 ¼ tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ¾ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper

For Cajun Honey Butter Salmon:

  • 2 tsp avocado oil
  • 4 5-6 oz salmon portions
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp red chilli flakes

Instructions
 

  • Combine all spices together in a small bowl. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels and sprinkle the spice mix evenly over both sides of the fish.
  • Preheat a cast iron (or nonstick) skillet for several minutes over medium-high heat. Add oil and let it preheat for 30 seconds before addinmg the salmon (skin-side-down if it has skin). Cook undisturbed until it releases easily from the pan, about 4 minutes.
  • Flip the salmon and add the butter to the pan. Once melted, tilt the pan and spoon the butter over the salmon for 1-2 minutes until salmon is cooked through (it should reach 125ºF for perfectly moist fish; if you don’t have a thermometer, test with a knife – it will flake easily and be opaque when done). Transfer salmon to a plate to rest for a few minutes.
  • Add the honey to the pan with a pinch of salt and chili flakes; simmer until slightly thickened and glossy, less than a minute. Spoon the sauce over the salmon and serve.

Video

Notes

  • You can swap 2 tbsp cajun seasoning for the spice blend if you have it on hand.
  • Preheating the pan and then the oil are the keys to ensuring your fish doesn’t stick.

Nutrition

Calories: 418kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 34gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 664mgPotassium: 886mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 917IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

Last Updated on May 23, 2023 by Jennifer Pallian BSc, RD

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Jenny Graves
Jenny Graves
27 days ago

5 stars
Wow, this Cajun honey butter salmon recipe is fantastic. My tastebuds are tingling just reading about it. Many thanks!

Megan
Megan
27 days ago

5 stars
Cajun and salmon together… sensational! Delicious flavours, super easy and perfectly cooked. Thanks for a great recipe.

Jessica
28 days ago

5 stars
This salmon was better than expected! The cast iron is the way to cook it for sure, and the sauce was so rich and satisfying. Thanks 🙂

veenaazmanov
28 days ago

5 stars
Burst of flavors and spices and a must save recipe too. Salmon is one of my favorite comfort food . I love this presentation too.

Colleen
29 days ago

I’m always looking for new salmon recipes and this one is a keeper. Its perfectly sweet and spicy.

Kayla
Kayla
1 month ago

5 stars
This recipe is SO freaking good!!! The cajun spices on the salmon and the honey butter combination is totally addicting, and I’m so glad I learned your trick for knowing when the salmon is done. Thank you!!

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