Cajun Honey Butter Salmon Recipe
Introduction
This Cajun Honey Butter Salmon recipe brings together spicy, sweet, and savory flavors in a quick and delicious dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it features tender salmon fillets with a rich honey butter sauce that’s both easy to make and impressive to serve.

Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (skin on)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt (to taste)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Black sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Rub each fillet with olive oil and season generously with Cajun seasoning and salt if needed.
- Step 2: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side up and sear for about 3 minutes until a crust forms. Flip the salmon skin-side down and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Step 3: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Stir well and simmer for a couple of minutes. Remove from heat and squeeze in the lemon juice.
- Step 4: Pour the honey butter sauce over the salmon fillets in the skillet. Continue cooking, spooning the sauce over the salmon regularly, for another 3-5 minutes until cooked through.
- Step 5: Garnish the cooked salmon with chopped fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and a sprinkle of black sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crisp skin, make sure the salmon is very dry before cooking and avoid moving it too much while searing.
- Substitute soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the Cajun seasoning for a deeper smoky flavor.
- If you prefer milder spice, reduce the Cajun seasoning by half and increase the honey slightly for balance.
Storage
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent drying out, or warm briefly in the microwave. The sauce may thicken when chilled, so stir well before serving.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, but be sure to fully thaw the salmon and pat it dry before cooking to achieve a good sear and prevent excess water in the pan.
Is this dish spicy?
The Cajun seasoning adds a moderate spice level that can be adjusted to your taste by using more or less seasoning, making it suitable for those who enjoy a bit of heat without it being overwhelming.
PrintCajun Honey Butter Salmon Recipe
This Cajun Honey Butter Salmon is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring perfectly seared salmon fillets coated in a rich, sweet and savory honey butter sauce. Enhanced with Cajun spices, garlic, and a hint of lemon, this recipe delivers a harmonious balance of fiery, sweet, and tangy flavors. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (skin on)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Salt, to taste
Honey Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of ½ lemon
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
- Black sesame seeds
Instructions
- Season the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Rub each fillet evenly with olive oil, then season generously with Cajun seasoning and add salt to taste to enhance the flavor.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Place the salmon fillets skin-side up in the skillet and sear for about 3 minutes, allowing a nice crust to form. Flip the fillets so the skin side is down and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce: While the salmon is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes to blend the flavors. Remove from heat and stir in the juice of half a lemon for a fresh zing.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared honey butter sauce over the salmon fillets in the skillet. Continue cooking the salmon, spooning the sauce regularly over the fillets to keep them moist and flavorful, for another 3 to 5 minutes or until the salmon is fully cooked through.
- Garnish: Once the salmon is cooked, remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, lemon wedges, and a sprinkle of black sesame seeds. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a crispier skin, press down gently on the salmon fillets with a spatula when skin-side down during cooking.
- You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled for a brighter flavor.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a side of rice to complete the meal.
- Be careful not to overcook the salmon; it should flake easily but remain moist.
Keywords: Cajun salmon, honey butter sauce, seared salmon recipe, quick salmon dinner, spicy honey butter salmon

