Learn how to make the Best Salmon Seasoning with this fantastic homemade recipe. It's so good, and it takes your fish game to the next level. Whether you are grilling, baking, air frying or even blackening, you have to use this easy go to flavor.

You'll love this seasoning for grilled salmon. Sprinkle it on generously and watch the magic happen and turn you bbq into a feast. It's great flavor for all year long but we love making it in the summer time during grilling season.
One of our family favorite meals is to bake salmon during the winter. We live in the pacific northwest where we can get some high quality, good salmon, and this seasoning does not disappoint. It not only gives it a tasty flavor, it enhances the flavor of the salmon itself.
This is even great when you blacken the salmon and then use it for salmon tacos for a Mexican inspired dish. It's basic and quick, but full on flavor. Try it in the skillet, eat it broiled, this great seasoning is tasty in any form. You won't want to miss a bite.
Try our other tasty seasonings and dips like our Hello Fresh Fry Seasoning, Pot Roast seasoning, or our Smoky Red Pepper Crema. They both taste great with sockeye as well!
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Enhances flavor- It adds depth and dimension to the flavor of the fish.
- Improves color: The seasoning can help the fish develop a richer and more vibrant color, adding to that deep pink.
- Versatile: This seasoning can be used in a variety of ways like pan fried, salmon patties, and salmon burgers.
- Health benefits- This recipe includes herbs and spices that have added health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Easy to use- We love how easy to use this recipe is; simply sprinkle it onto the fish before cooking for an extra boost of flavor.
- Gluten Free- This spice blend is also gluten free! You can enjoy it on your fish for a gluten free meal.
Why is Salmon so good for you?
Salmon is considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet due to its abundance of beneficial nutrients. It's an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B12 and D, and minerals like selenium and potassium. Regular consumption of salmon has been linked to improved cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and reduced risk of chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Ingredients
Make your own copycat old bay or mccormick seasoning with these simple pantry staple ingredients.
- Paprika- For a smoky flavor use smoked paprika instead.
- Garlic powder- This adds a sweet flavor to the seasoning.
- Onion powder- Use minced dried onion or onion powder. Onion powder mixes with the other spices and herbs.
- Thyme- The Thyme flavor gives it a more Italian taste rather than an Asian inspired taste.
- Salt or to taste- you can adjust this based on your salt preferences. If you are looking for low sodium use half what the recipe calls for.
- Black pepper freshly ground, or to taste- Also try lemon pepper for a more lemon taste.
- Lemon zest- Lemon always helps fish taste better.
- Parsley- A great italian herb perfect for salmon.
- Chili pepper flakes- This is optional but it gives the recipe a great spicy taste.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Combine the spices with the herbs.
2. Once all of the spices and herbs are in one bowl, you can begin to mix together.
3. Either with a spoon or gently swirling the seasoning around in the bowl, mix the spices and herbs together until well mixed.
4. Measure out the desired amount and add it as a rub to salmon or any other fish, chicken or french fry recipe.
Hint: Make sure to mix well in order for the spices to be evenly distributed.
Substitutions and Variations
Keep it basic, or add these fun substitutions to mix things up. Step aside trader joes, we don't need your everything but the bagel seasoning when we have this good dry rub.
- Dill- A great herb to add to the mix for a dill flavor.
- Mediterranean - Make it mediterranean inspired by adding coriander and cumin.
- Cajun - To make it cajun style, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. If you like it hot, add in a little more!
- Brown sugar- Adding in 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar can make this a sweet rub. Add it to taste.
- Low Sodium- Omit or lower the salt to make this a low sodium option.
Cooking Variations
Need some ideas on how to use the best salmon seasoning? Try it on this different types of fish cuts and meals.
- Steaks - Salmon steaks pair great with this dry rub.
- For the oven - Add this magic seasoning on your sockeye and cook it in the oven. Wrap it in tinfoil so it doesn't dry out and maintains it's moist texture.
- Smoked- Smoking a salmon in your traeger always has tasty results. You can't go wrong seasoning it with this combo of spices and herbs.
- Cedar Plank- Grill or smoke your salmon on a cedar plank in order to enhance the flavor.
- Patty- Make tasty salmon patties and add this seasoning to it. Try these salmon cakes/burgers, they are some of our favorites.
- Broiled- Try broiling your fish, make sure to watch for burning and make sure the internal temperature reaches 125* F.
- Seared- Make pan seared salmon with a cast iron skillet.
Other Great Uses
This seasoning could also pair deliciously with french fries, chicken, burgers, and even roasted vegetables. It's a quick and easy way to add flavor to any dish.
Equipment
For making this seasoning, all you need is a medium to small mixing bowl. If you use one with a lid, you can easily close it up and store leftovers in your pantry.
Storage
Store in an air tight container in the pantry for several months. This is a great spice mix to have on hand and through on a meal for added flavor.
Top tip
Don't be afraid to add a generous amount of seasoning when applied to salmon. You'll lose some of the spices when you cook it.
FAQ
There are a variety of flavor profiles that go well with salmon. You can go Asain inspired by adding teriyaki or fruikake. You can have it Mexican style by blackening in for tacos. Or try it cajun style.
The best seasoning to put on Salmon is a mixture of spices and herbs like garlic, paprika, thyme, parsley and of course lemon.
This recipe is a great mixture of spices and herbs to go on Salmon. It contains paprika, garlic, onion, thyme, parsley, lemon, black pepper, salt, and chili powder. You can add other variations like dill, or cayenne pepper for a cajun taste.
Any seasoning that has garlic, and lemon in it is great with the pink fish. It enhances the flavor and brings out the flavors you love.
Making Salmon Seasoning is easy. Simply add together the paprika, garlic, onion, thyme, parsley, lemon, black pepper, salt, and chili powder and mix it together in a bowl. Generously rub it onto the fish and cook it your preferred method.
The best herbs and spices for salmon are paprika, garlic, onion, thyme, parsley, lemon, black pepper, salt, and chili powder.
You can add Teriyaki sauce, fruikake, lemon, cajun mix, everything but the bagel mix, or basic salt, pepper, and garlic.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Salmon Seasoning:
Recipe
Best Salmon Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon paprika ½ smoked for a smoky flavor, if desired
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon parsley
- ¼ teaspoon chilli pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Measure all spices into a bowl. Whisk together until well blended.
- Rub avocado oil (or other desired oil) over salmon filets. Sprinkle seasoning on both sides of filet then cook to desired doneness on the grill, in the oven, air fryer, broiler, etc.
Andrea
This salmon seasoning is so perfect. I made a big batch and store it with my other spices.