Description
This Cajun Honey Butter Grilled Salmon recipe combines smoky, spicy Cajun seasoning with the sweet richness of honey butter, creating a perfect balance of flavors on tender grilled salmon fillets. Ready in just about 20 minutes, this dish is an easy and impressive option for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend BBQ.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oil for rubbing (such as olive or vegetable oil)
Cajun Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika (preferably smoked)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Cajun Honey Butter
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons honey
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Cajun seasoning: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, dried Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, cracked black pepper, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well until evenly blended.
- Make Cajun honey butter: In a separate bowl, whip the room-temperature unsalted butter with a whisk or electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in the honey and about half of the prepared Cajun seasoning to incorporate the flavors.
- Season the salmon: Pat dry the salmon fillets thoroughly with paper towels. Rub a thin layer of oil over each fillet to prevent sticking and then season both sides with salt and pepper to taste.
- Grill the salmon: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill each salmon fillet for approximately 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the flesh becomes opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Timing can vary slightly based on thickness.
- Apply Cajun honey butter: Once the salmon is cooked through, remove from grill and place on serving plates. Spoon a generous amount of the prepared Cajun honey butter on top of each fillet, allowing it to melt over the hot fish.
- Garnish and serve: Finish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley over the fillets for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Room temperature butter whips more easily and blends better with honey and seasoning.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can pan-sear the salmon over medium-high heat for similar results.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount according to your heat preference.
- Fresh parsley can be substituted with cilantro or chives if preferred.
- Leftover Cajun honey butter can be refrigerated and used on other grilled meats or vegetables.
