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Enjoy the deluxe flavors of Cajun Parmesan Salmon with this delicious recipe. Made with loads of seasonings and ready in under 25 minutes, this meal is a must!
Your new favorite garlic parmesan salmon
Sometimes chicken gets old and I find myself more in a seafood type of mood. Wanting something that’s still really nutritious and full of protein, I tend to gravitate toward salmon!
Salmon has immense benefits (which I’ll touch on later in this post), but it also tastes fantastic. When seasoned with a blend of lemon, garlic, honey, and parmesan, this cajun butter salmon is something you’re going to wish you tried earlier!
Ingredients in this parmesan crusted salmon recipe
In this recipe, it’s all about the seasonings. In order to get that rich cajun x parmesan taste we’re mixing everything from lemon juice and garlic to butter and honey. When all is said and done, the flavor combo is a dream!
- Salmon: First up, we have the salmon! For this recipe you will need 4 filets.
- Salt & pepper: We will start the cooking process by seasoning the filets with salt and pepper. Use whatever amount feels right.
- Avocado oil: Next, we will use 2 tbsp of avocado oil to cook the filets.
- Lemon: First up for the flavorings will be juice from 1 lemon.
- Butter: Then, we will use 2 tbsp of butter. If preferred, you can use additional avocado oil here instead.
- Garlic: Next, mince 2 cloves of garlic. If you want to add a little extra, go for it!
- Cajun seasoning: We will use cajun seasoning to get that strong cajun flavor. 2 tsp will be perfect.
- Honey: To add a subtle sweet flavor, include 1 tbsp of honey. This ingredient truly makes the flavorings complete!
- Parmesan cheese: We will use 2 tbsp of parmesan to add that much needed cheesiness.
- Parsley: And finally, toss in 1 tbsp of chopped parsley.
Tools needed to create this dish
Cajun parmesan salmon only requires three actual kitchen tools, in addition to a paper towel and a couple of measuring cups. Is it just me, or do the simplest recipes always taste the best?
- Paper towel for patting the salmon dry
- Large skillet
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Measuring cups: 1 tsp, 1 tbsp
How to make cajun parmesan salmon
We’re keeping things this cajun salmon recipe simple by cooking it right on the stove. We’ll start with the seasonings and then we’ll stick it in a pan and cook it for 5 minutes on each side. We’ll add the sauce, return it to the pan, and voila! Delicious, flavorful cajun parmesan salmon.
To begin, pat the salmon dry and season with salt and pepper.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil.
Next, add the salmon skin side up and cook for 5 minutes on each side.
Once the salmon is done cooking, take it out and set it aside.
Dump the remaining liquid from the pan, and then place the pan back on the stove top.
Turn the heat to medium and whisk in the lemon juice, butter, garlic, cajun seasoning, honey, parmesan cheese, and parsley.
Let the sauce reduce for a few minutes until thickened, and then add the salmon back in and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Bast the salmon with the sauce as it cooks.
Serve over rice with veggies.
What to serve with stove-cooked salmon
Whether you’re a fish and chips kind of seafood eater or you prefer something heavy in greens, there are so many sides that pair wonderfully with this dish!
Go for starches with Easy Skillet Cornbread or Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes (a faux-starch that tastes like potatoes but packs in the veggie-rich nutrients), or stick to your greens with Garlic Sesame Green Beans or Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts!
Finally, keep things simple with a delicious and sweet Cranberry Quinoa Salad.
P.S. I like to serve it with rice too!
Benefits of salmon
Salmon is absolutely overflowing with benefits. With 17g of protein per 3 oz, it’s a nutrient powerhouse that definitely earns a spot at the top of the seafood pyramid.
In addition to protein, salmon is a great source of potassium, B Vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. It’s great for fighting inflammation too. When I’m in the mood for seafood, salmon is almost always my go-to.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
For more protein-packed dinners that include seafood, try these! Each one is rich in flavor and is pretty simple to whip together!
- Mediterranean Tuna Salad
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice
- Easy Tuna Patties with Spicy Aioli
- Easy One Pot Salmon Dinner
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis
Cajun Parmesan Salmon
Enjoy the deluxe flavors of Cajun Parmesan Salmon with this delicious recipe. Made with loads of seasonings and ready in under 25 minutes, this meal is a must!
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets
- salt + pepper
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp butter (or more avocado oil)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp cajun seasoning (or blend of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, oregano)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pat salmon dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add avocado oil.
- Add salmon, skin side up and cook for 5 minutes on each side.
- Once done cooking, take salmon out and set aside.
- Dump remaining liquid from pan. Then add pan back to stove top.
- Turn heat to medium and whisk in lemon juice, butter, garlic, cajun seasoning, honey, parmesan cheese, and parsley.
- Let sauce reduce for a few minutes until thickened, then add salmon back in and cook for 2 minutes on each side, basting the salmon with the sauce as it cooks.
- Serve over rice and with veggies.
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Erin says
I have yet to find an ELW recipe I don’t love and this one is no exception!! Quick, easy, healthy and delicious as always!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so glad you loved it!
Mae says
Absolutely delish!!! Need to add this to my weekly rotation!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Mae, so glad you enjoyed it!
Kim H says
I loved this recipe! It was so easy and so delicious. Highly recommend, we will be making this again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kim, so glad you loved it!! 🙂
kaitlin says
Wow, some of the best salmon I ever had at home. The sauce is amazing and the salmon turned out perfectly crisp on the outside and tender inside. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kaitlin, so happy you loved it!!
Maureen says
Such great flavor! Served with couscous and green beans. Perfect mid week dinner. Thank you!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maureen, so glad you liked it and great additions!!
Megan says
This was sooo good. The flavors were so intense and beautiful together. Really easy to throw together too!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you loved it!!
Courtney says
Beyond OBSESSED with this recipe. I’ve always baked salmon and cooking it in the pan made it so juicy and delicious. I also literally have never tasted a better glaze in my entire life. A++++++ recipe
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Courtney, so glad you loved it so much!!
Olivia says
This salmon is so delicious. I’ve already made it at least five times. The sauce on the salmon is so good, I love making a little extra to put on my rice and veggies.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Olivia, so happy you love it so much!!
Hannah Neville says
My husband and I LOVED this recipe. We have been on an Erin Lives Whole recipe kick at least twice a week and this is by far our most favorite salmon recipe ever! So flavorful and crispy on the outside, yet tender on the inside! Thank you Erin!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hannah, ah I love hearing that! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Anne says
My boyfriend complains that I can’t cook so I made him this and he swears it was my best meal to date. To be honest, I agree. It was super easy and the flavors really did work well together. Looking forward to trying other recipes.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Anne, I am so happy you both loved it!! Thanks for sharing!
Amanda says
This dish was super easy and fast! The crust the mixture creates on the salmon is amazing, the best salmon I’ve made to date!! Will definitely be a staple in the dinner rotation!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Amanda, so glad you liked it!!
Kim says
I made this tonight and it was so delicious! It will definitely be one of my go-to salmon recipes!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kim, so glad you enjoyed it!!
Christina says
This was actually to die for…another great recipe from ELW! The perfect blend of sweet and spicy I will definitely be making again 🙂
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Christina, so glad you liked it!!
Sarah says
This is a great recipe that is very flavorful!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sarah, so glad you enjoyed it!!
Alicia Connelly says
This salmon recipe was fun and so delish!!! First time making my own Cajun spice!
Now, if we could only find nice thick filets of wild salmon!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alicia, so glad you enjoyed it!
Megan G says
WOW!! This was the perfect combination of light, delicious and yet so full of flavor. I saw the Instagram post and I knew I had to make that! An easy top 5 favorite. Highly recommend for a scrumptious dinner!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so glad you enjoyed it!!
Liora says
So so good! My boyfriend is pretty picky and he LOVED this recipe.
I would double the sauce if you like extra for drippings over rice
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Liora, so glad you both enjoyed it so much!!
Nicole S says
I’ve made this 2 ways so far! 1- in skillet as explained & also did the salmon in the air fryer & added sauce on top once salmon was crispy! Lemme tell ya, both ways DELICIOUS!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nicole, ah you’re a pro! So glad you loved it!!
Caroline says
Hey Erin! This salmon looks delectable and I cannot wait to make it in the coming week! I’m wondering if the sodium in the nutrition facts didn’t get divided into four portions, though, as it seems a little high?
Erin says
Hi Caroline, hmm you’re right. It looks like the calculator I used didn’t divide it out. Thanks for letting me know!
Erin says
Hi Caroline, I went in and fixed it. Thanks for letting me know about the error!
Kim says
So good and very easy! Made a lot of extra Cajun spice mix to keep on hand… My fiancé loved it which says a lot, he never eats fish.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kim, I am thrilled you two enjoyed it so much!!
Georgeann says
Wow- first ELW has taught me a whole new way and cooking salmon and I will never go back. Then there’s this recipe… OMG amazing, quick and simple, the flavors come together for an incredible meal. It will be a staple in our house!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Georgeann, thanks for your kind words!! I am so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂