Description
🐟 Enjoy a deliciously quick and flavorful meal with Cajun Honey Butter Salmon that combines spicy and sweet in every bite.
🍯 This recipe is perfect for a healthy, easy dinner ready in about 15 minutes, combining the rich taste of honey garlic butter with robust Cajun spices.
Ingredients
– 1 pound salmon filets (3-4 pieces)
– 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust based on store-bought or homemade)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing
– ¼ cup melted salted butter
– ¼ cup honey (regular or truffle honey as a substitute)
– ¼ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
– 5 cloves fresh minced garlic
– Olive oil (as needed for searing, included above)
– Parsley (for garnish, amount not specified)
– Lemon slices (for garnish and flavor, amount not specified)
Instructions
1-First Step: Prepare Your Ingredients Start by seasoning the 1 pound of salmon filets with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning on both sides. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel for better searing, and measure out the honey butter sauce ingredients: ¼ cup melted salted butter, ¼ cup honey, ¼ teaspoon Cajun seasoning, and 5 minced garlic cloves. For vegan swaps, use firm tofu and plant-based butter with maple syrup here. This mise en place takes about 5 minutes and ensures your Cajun honey butter salmon comes together smoothly.
2-Second Step: Heat the Pan Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, around 350°F. Make sure the pan is hot enough for a good sear, which usually takes 1-2 minutes. If you’re adapting for low-calorie needs, use an olive oil spray instead to reduce fat while preparing your Cajun honey butter salmon.
3-Third Step: Cook the Salmon Place the salmon skin side up in the hot pan and cook for about 3 minutes to get a nice brown sear. Flip it and cook for another 3 minutes or until it’s opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 130-135°F. Cooking times may vary based on thickness, with thicker pieces possibly needing up to 20-25 minutes covered. For vegan options, sear the tofu similarly but baste with a plant-based glaze to maintain the essence of Cajun honey butter salmon.
4-Fourth Step: Add the Glaze Whisk together the honey butter sauce in a bowl and set it aside earlier. In the last minute, reduce heat to medium-low and pour half of the sauce over the salmon to let it heat and caramelize. Baste the fish gently for even coating, aiming for a glossy finish. If making it low-calorie, brush with a lighter mix of lemon and spices instead of the full glaze on your Cajun honey butter salmon.
5-Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Remove the salmon from the pan and let it rest for 2 minutes to keep juices in. Top with the remaining sauce, then garnish with parsley and lemon slices for a fresh touch. Serve immediately, perhaps with sides like rice or veggies. To test doneness, use a thermometer for 125-135°F. For variations, check out this hoisin salmon noodles recipe for complementary ideas with your Cajun honey butter salmon.
Notes
🌶️ Adjust Cajun seasoning carefully, especially if using pre-made blends as they can be salty.
🔥 Reduce heat when adding honey butter sauce to prevent burning and enhance caramelization.
🐟 Always check salmon filets for bones before cooking for a smooth eating experience.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon filet
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 23g
Keywords: Cajun salmon,Honey butter salmon,Spicy salmon recipe,Baked salmon glaze