Zesty Cajun Salmon with Avocado & Lime Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Zesty Cajun Salmon with Avocado & Lime recipe featuring perfectly seared salmon fillets seasoned with a homemade Cajun spice blend, topped with a fresh, tangy avocado-lime salsa. This healthy and colorful dish combines smoky, spicy, and citrusy notes, making it a perfect main course for a quick dinner or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon & Cajun Seasoning
- 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
Avocado-Lime Salsa
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Juice of 1½–2 limes (approx. 3–4 tablespoons)
- ½ teaspoon lime zest
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Extra fresh cilantro sprigs (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Salmon & Seasoning: Rinse salmon fillets and pat thoroughly dry to ensure a good sear. Remove any pin bones carefully. In a small bowl, thoroughly mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and white pepper to create the Cajun seasoning blend. Lightly brush each salmon fillet with ½ teaspoon olive oil, then generously rub the Cajun seasoning over all sides. Set the seasoned fillets aside.
- Prepare Avocado-Lime Salsa: Dice ripe avocados into ¼-½ inch cubes and place them in a mixing bowl. Finely dice the red onion, chop fresh cilantro, mince the jalapeño (seeded to reduce heat), and mince the garlic clove. Add all these ingredients to the bowl with the avocados. Next, zest ½ teaspoon of lime zest directly into the bowl, followed by the juice of 1½ to 2 limes (about 3-4 tablespoons). Season the salsa with ¼ teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper. Gently fold all ingredients together until combined, being careful not to mash the avocados. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook Salmon: Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes until hot. Add the remaining olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Carefully lay the seasoned salmon fillets into the pan skin-side down (or one side down if skinless). Allow the salmon to sear undisturbed for 3 to 5 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Flip the fillets gently using a spatula and cook for an additional 2 to 4 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 135-145°F (57-63°C). Remove the fillets from the pan and let them rest for 3 to 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Assemble & Serve: Place each cooked Cajun-seasoned salmon fillet on a serving plate. Spoon a generous amount of the fresh avocado-lime salsa over the top of each fillet. Garnish with extra fresh cilantro sprigs and lime wedges for a burst of color and flavor. Serve immediately while warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- For spicier salsa, leave jalapeño seeds in or add extra jalapeño.
- Skin-on salmon fillets provide extra crispiness when seared.
- You can prepare the Cajun seasoning blend in advance and store it for future use.
- Use ripe but firm avocados to ensure nice chunky salsa texture.
- Letting the salmon rest after cooking helps retain juices for moistness.
- Adjust lime juice according to your desired level of tanginess.
Keywords: Cajun salmon, avocado salsa, lime salsa, seared salmon, spicy salmon recipe, healthy seafood dish, fresh avocado topping
