Name: Cajun Honey Butter Salmon Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lb salmon (3-4 filets); 1 tbsp cajun seasoning; 2 tbsp olive oil; ¼ cup Butter (melted); ¼ cup honey; ¼ tsp cajun seasoning; 5 cloves Garlic (minced)

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Cajun Honey Butter Salmon is the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It includes seared Cajun salmon and an easy honey garlic butter sauce. Make this easy dinner main dish in about 15 minutes using just one skillet. Enjoy this with my cauliflower rice pilaf, Southern Fried Cabbage or smoked gouda grits to make a meal.

cajun honey butter salmon recipe in a skillet

Why Make This

Quick and easy: this dish takes just 15 minutes and one pan. Simply sear the Cajun Salmon and top it with Honey Garlic Butter Sauce.
Homemade spice blends: amp up the flavor in this dish with my homemade Cajun seasoning that can be used on everything from this fish to my Cajun shrimp.

Ingredients Needed

Cajun Salmon

Salmon: I used thawed salmon filets
Cajun seasoning: I tested this recipe with my homemade Cajun spice blend. But, you can use the salt-free Cajun seasoning on this site. You’d simply salt the finished dish to taste
Olive oil: I seared the salmon in olive oil.

Honey Butter Sauce

Butter: I use salted butter that I melted in the microwave
Honey: You can use regular honey or your favorite honey substitute. I’ve also use my favorite truffle honey with great results.
Cajun seasoning: this adds a bit more Cajun flavor to the fish.
Garlic: I used fresh minced garlic.

salmon, garlic, cajun seasoning, honey, olive oil, butter, lemons and parsley

How to Make Cajun Salmon with Honey Butter Sauce

Season the salmon by adding the Cajun seasoning to the top and rubbing it on both sides of the fish
Make Honey Butter Sauce by simply whisking all of the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
Sear the salmon: I add the fish to a hot pan that has olive oil in it
Top with sauce: During the last minute of cooking the fish, I add half the sauce to the pan. This heats the sauce and allows some to caramelize on the fish.

collage of how to make cajun salmon with garlic honey butter sauce

Top Cooking Tips & FAQs

Adjust the spices if using Cajun seasoning from the store: this recipe uses my homemade Cajun seasoning. Homemade spice blends are typically not as salty as Cajun seasoning mixes from the store. So, if you’re using a Cajun seasoning from the store, use about 1/2 tsp per pound. You can always add more to taste at the end.
Turn down the heat when adding the sauce: getting seared Cajun salmon requires cooking on medium heat. Before adding the sauce to the pan, turn the heat down. This will allow it to heat and caramelize without burning.
Check for bones: most fish filets are free of their bones, but you should always run your hand over the salmon to make sure that there aren’t any remaining.

Print Pin

5 from 2 votes

Cajun Honey Butter Salmon Recipe

Make Cajun Honey Butter Salmon in about 15 minutes using a homemade Cajun seasoning blend and an easy Honey Garlic Butter sauce.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 400kcal

Ingredients

Cajun Salmon

1 lb salmon 3-4 filets
1 tbsp cajun seasoning I used this homemade Cajun spice mix, see note for how to adjust based on the blend you use.
2 tbsp olive oil

Cajun Honey Butter Sauce

¼ cup Butter melted
¼ cup honey
¼ tsp cajun seasoning I used this homemade Cajun spice mix, see note for how to adjust based on the blend you use.
5 cloves Garlic minced

Instructions

Sprinkle the salmon with the Cajun seasoning mix (1 tbsp) and rub it on both sides. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat
While the pan heats, mix the ingredients for the Cajun honey butter. Set aside.
Add the salmon to the pan skin side up and cook for about 3 minutes. The goal is to get a browned sear on the top of the salmon.
Flip the salmon and continue to cook until opaque (~3 more minutes).
During the last minute of cooking, turn the heat down to medium low and pour half of the sauce on top of the salmon. Heat the sauce on the salmon.
Pour the remaining sauce on the cooked fish and top with parsley and lemon slices

Notes

Adjust the spices if using Cajun seasoning from the store: this recipe uses homemade Cajun seasoning. Homemade spice blends are typically not as salty as Cajun seasoning mixes from the store. So, if you’re using a Cajun seasoning from the store, use about 1/2 tsp per pound. You can always add more to taste at the end.
Turn down the heat when adding the sauce: getting seared Cajun salmon requires cooking on medium heat. Before adding the sauce to the pan, turn the heat down. This will allow it to heat and caramelize without burning.
Check for bones: most fish filets are free of their bones, but you should always run your hand over the salmon to make sure that there aren’t any remaining.

Nutrition