Keto blackened salmon is a flavorful and healthy dish that is perfect for those following a ketogenic diet. The salmon is seasoned with a blend of spices that includes paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper, and then seared in a hot skillet until the spices form a delicious crust on the outside of the fish. The result is a tender and juicy piece of salmon with a bold, smoky flavor that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. This dish is often served with a side of low-carb vegetables, such as roasted asparagus or cauliflower rice, to make a complete and nutritious meal.
The Chief Taster has been on a few business trips in the Caribbean and has been enjoying blackened salmon during his trips, so I thought that I would try to make it. I finally have got the blend of spices right (according to him).
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Can you eat salmon on a low carb diet?
Salmon is a fantastic ingredient for a keto and low carb diet as it has zero carbohydrates, has a high protein content and is full of the right type of fats. A great source of omega-3, it's also very easy to cook too!
Why do they call it blackened salmon?
The term blackened salmon does not mean that it's burnt, but rather that spice mixture turns very dark when cooked. The seasoning mix originates from New Orleans and there are many variations. Tweak the spices and herbs to your own taste.
Blackened Seasoning
The key to this salmon recipe is the spice mix. The spices used in this recipe are cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, white and black pepper, thyme, basil, cumin and oregano. If you want to reduce the heat, halve the cayenne pepper. We like our spice level fairly hot in the Caribbean!
The salmon filets we used were skinless but you can easily make this dish with skinned salmon. If you use salmon fillets with skin, cook it first skin side down.
How to make keto blackened salmon
This salmon recipe is cooked in a pan but it can be grilled on the BBQ too. A word of warning if you grill it, the spice mix comes out hotter. I would brush more butter over the salmon on the grill to keep it moist too.
- Brush the salmon fillets on both sides with melted butter.
- Spoon the blackened spice mix over the fillets.
- On a medium-high heat, fry the salmon fillets in a large cast iron skillet or pan on both sides.
- Serve and enjoy!
What to do with leftovers?
Although this dish is best served freshly made, if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and keep the cooked salmon in the refrigerator. Gently reheat in a skillet or the microwave.
Another option is to flake the cooked salmon and add mayonnaise and sour cream for a creamy and spicy addition to a salad or sandwich filling.
Recipe Tips
Store left over spices in a jar for later or double up the recipe to keep a jar of the spice mix to hand.
This spice mix works great on chicken and cauliflower too.
Substitute the paprika with smoked paprika for a deeper smoky flavor.
Keto Sides for Blackened Salmon
Serve this easy keto salmon dinner with a simple salad, grilled asparagus or a few sides. Try this salmon dish with these low carb side dishes:
- Green beans and walnuts
- Garlic Parmesan Keto Roasted Broccoli
- Keto Roasted Cauliflower with Dijon & Lemon
- Tomato Burrata Salad
- Spicy Zucchini Cauliflower Rice
OTHER KETO SALMON RECIPES TO ENJOY:
Salmon is a great low carb food. Have you tried any of these other keto salmon recipes yet?
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Blackened Salmon
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Ingredients
- 4 Skinless salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ cup butter, unsalted melted
Instructions
- Mix all the spices in a small bowl.
- Brush the salmon fillets on each side with butter and sprinkle the spice mixture on each side of the fillet.
- Drizzle the remaining butter on one side of the fillet.
- Cook the salmon, butter side down, in large pan for 2-5 minutes on a high heat until it is blackened. Turn and cook the other side for 2-5 minutes until that is blackened.
- Eat and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Melissa
What is a good side dish to go with the blackened salmon?
BTW I absolutely love this recipe! I keep a jar of it in my cabinet and it's my favorite spice blend 👌
Angela Coleby
Delighted you enjoyed this recipe and the spice blend! A creamy coleslaw goes great with this or a broccoli salad too!
Lauren
I was wondering the same thing. The salmon that I’m using is 130 per filet and my butter is 100 calories per tablespoon and the calories for the spices are not much at all. So I am assuming you can make it where it’s not 1000 calories per filet.
Angela Coleby
I've just had the same issue with a new salmon recipe. Take your calorie calculation as I'm off to rework mine (think I've got a larger fillet in the nutritional database than I need to use)
Crissy
This was good but super salty, great spice mixture, I would use half the salt next time. Will make again!
Cheryl
This was so delicious! I loved it, my son loved it. And so easy and quick to make! I’m going to put in a weekly rotation. Can hardly wait to make it again!
Angela Coleby
Great to hear!
Wendy
I made it today...must say it was delicious couldn’t stop eating. At the end I added chicken stock and lemon juice and butter in the pan and made a souce.... for sure this will stay in my saved files.
Thank you
Angela Coleby
Thanks Wendy! Glad you enjoyed them!
Janet
My husband who is not a fan of salmon absolutely loved this recipe! Definitely making this again!
Angela Coleby
Great to hear! I love how easy it is too. Keeps my husband quiet too!
Angela Coleby
I believe it's the fish and not the rub. Perhaps a smaller piece of fish?
Deb P.
Made this tonight. Used a cast iron skillet on the side burner of the grill. Came out wonderful! Excellent spice! Great crust! Will definitely make again. Gone before I remembered to photograph!
Angela Coleby
Thanks!
Maria Peraino
Excellent! My sons loved it. I will use the recipe again.
Angela Coleby
Glad to hear it!
Taylor
Turned out great. If you don’t like as much spice dial back on the cayenne but will use this again.
Angela Coleby
Glad you enjoyed it. It's one of my husband's favourites as he ate this a lot when traveling the region.
Michelle
I found this recipe with the link to your blog on Bigoven.com. It was fabulous! My salmon was thicker, so I seared it off in the pan until it was nice and blackened with a crust, then put it in the oven to cook the rest of the way. Went nicely on top of a salad and my daughter gave it 2 thumbs up, delicious!
Angela Coleby
Glad you enjoyed it!!
Francesca
Just made these tonight and they were a hit! Definitely will make these again and worth buying the onion and garlic powder for! Thanks for a great recipe! Can't wait to try some more!
Divalicious
Glad you enjoyed them! I used this spice mixture on some cauliflower rice and stir fried veggies last night...delicious! Thanks for popping by my blog!
francesca
Ooh yum that sounds good too! Well my chief taster loved it and I loved that this recipe was so easy and worked first time! x
Divalicious
Fabulous!
Divalicious
Hope you enjoy it!
Divalicious
Thanks!