It's never been quicker or easier to make salmon more flavorful than with this Salmon Seasoning. It comes together with spices you likely already have in your cabinet--just sprinkle, rub, and bake, roast, or grill!
This simple combo of dried herbs and spices adds sweet, smoky, and savory depth to salmon. We're talking restaurant-quality seafood in less than 25 minutes total!
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Why This Recipe Works
My kids love salmon night, whether it's simply roasted, served as a sandwich, stuffed with crab, or in a pasta dish. This is a healthy protein I've prepared hundreds of times and am more than happy to keep on the weekly rotation.
My goal for this salmon seasoning recipe, as both a mom and a professional recipe developer with over 15 years of experience, was simple: create a flavor profile that keeps salmon night exciting for the adults but with kid-friendly flavors everyone in the family will love. This spice blend is made to specifically enhance the rich, buttery flavor of salmon without overpowering it.
The Best Seasoning for Salmon
This is the all-purpose salmon seasoning that can be used for salmon cooked every which way. It contains the perfect flavor profile to make every taste bud in the household happy. Below, you'll find key ingredients for this salmon seasoning, why they matter, and what they do.
Sweet + Smoky | Brown sugar and smoked paprika are the perfect pairing for adding a touch of sweet and smoky, off-the-grill vibes to all kinds of proteins. And, while brown sugar might seem like a strange ingredient for salmon seasoning--just like in a rib rub--it helps create a cozy, caramelized bit that complements the rich flavor of salmon.
Bright + Savory | The combination of garlic powder, thyme, and basil adds a savory, herbaceous note to the spice blend. Lemon zest is king for cutting through the buttery, rich fish flavor without overpowering it. This recipe calls for fresh lemon zest over dried lemon peel, and it makes all the difference. If you love the pop of acidity lemon adds to salmon, add this salmon dill sauce to your must-make list.
Perfectly Balanced | Thanks to its large grains and mild salt flavor, Kosher salt is the perfect choice for enhancing the flavor of the salmon (and all of the other herbs and spices) without overpowering it. Black pepper helps to balance the sweetness of the brown sugar and the smokiness from the smoked paprika.
How Make Salmon Seasoning
Measure out all the ingredients, add to a small bowl, and mix to combine. If using lemon zest, you may find it easiest to work the rub with your fingertips.
How to Use This Seasoning
This spice blend makes a total of 3 tablespoons of salmon seasoning. That is enough to season six salmon fillets. Use about 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning per fillet.
To prepare the salmon for seasoning, check for bones and remove any visible fish bones with a pair of kitchen tweezers. Then, pat the fillet with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive or avocado oil. Sprinkle each fillet generously with 1-2 teaspoons of salmon seasoning and rub all over to adhere. Cook as desired, serve, and enjoy!
How Long Will It Last?
If you'd like to make this seasoning ahead of time, leave out the lemon zest to extend the shelf life. Store the dry mix in an airtight container (preferably glass) in a cool, dry spot for up to three months.
As mentioned above, the current batch size for this salmon seasoning is 3 tablespoons, which will cover about 6 salmon fillets. If you'd like to have more on hand for future use, use the slider in the recipe card to increase the serving sizes. The recipe card will do the math for you!
Discard any leftover seasoning that comes into contact with raw salmon to avoid cross-contamination.
5 More Homemade Seasonings You’ll Love
Salmon Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix to combine.
- Use about 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning per salmon fillet.
- Store any leftover seasoning mix (without lemon zest) in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for 3 months. You can add lemon zest just before using, if desired.
Philip says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!