Salmon is one of the most versatile and delicious types of fish you can prepare. Its flesh is flaky, tender and takes on flavors beautifully. While salmon tastes great on its own, the right seasonings and cooking techniques can take it to a whole new level of flavor.
In this article, we’ll explore 13 easy ways to make your salmon irresistibly delicious. From herbs, spices and marinades to creative sauces and rubs, you’ll learn how to bring out the natural richness of salmon and make it the star of any meal.
Use Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs are an effortless way to infuse bright, aromatic flavor into salmon dishes Some great options include
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Dill – This pairs exceptionally well with salmon offering a light anise flavor. Use fresh dill weed or mix chopped dill with olive oil as a topping.
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Thyme – Earthy thyme adds a subtle yet complex flavor that complements salmon beautifully Sprinkle it on before baking or add to a compound butter
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Basil – The sweetness of basil makes it a fantastic match for salmon’s richness. Try a quick basil pesto or chiffonade of basil leaves.
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Cilantro – A fresh cilantro salsa makes a lively topping for grilled or baked salmon. The herb’s citrusy flavor cuts through the fattiness.
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Mint – Bright and grassy mint leaves add vibrancy. Mix into a salsa, add to a marinade or use as a garnish.
Use Spices and Seasonings
The right blend of spices can really enhance the taste of your salmon. Consider these options:
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Lemon Pepper – This classic combo adds brightness and a touch of heat. Coat your salmon with store-bought lemon pepper or make your own blend.
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Old Bay Seasoning – The blend of herbs and spices in Old Bay provides wonderful flavor to salmon, especially before broiling or grilling.
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Smoked Paprika – A dusting of this imparts a lovely smokiness and also gives salmon a beautiful color.
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Chili Powder – For a dash of heat, rub a mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and brown sugar onto your salmon before cooking.
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Soy Sauce – Brushing salmon with soy sauce before broiling infuses salty, savory umami flavors.
Marinate for Extra Flavor
Marinating salmon allows the flavors to penetrate deep into the flesh for amplified taste. Try soaking for 30 minutes up to overnight. Useful marinades include:
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Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar, Chili Flakes – This Asian-inspired marinade adds sweet and spicy flavor.
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Pesto – Marinating salmon in basil pesto provides herby richness and healthy fats.
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Lemon, Dill, Olive Oil – For a Mediterranean marinade, use olive oil, lemon juice and plenty of fresh dill.
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Teriyaki Sauce – The classic Japanese teriyaki marinade pairs deliciously with salmon.
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Citrus Juice, Zest, Olive Oil – Soak salmon in a mix of orange and lemon juice with the zest.
Top with a Sauce
Finish off your salmon with a vibrant sauce that complements the fish. Options like these are easy to make:
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Lemon Dill Sauce – Mix Greek yogurt, lemon zest, chopped dill and a pinch of garlic.
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Mango Salsa – For tropical flair, top with fresh mango salsa using red onion, jalapeño and lime juice.
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Honey Mustard – Whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, garlic and olive oil for an addictive glaze.
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Soy Ginger Sauce – Simmer soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger and brown sugar.
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Caper Lemon Butter – Melt butter with lemon juice, capers and parsley for a decadent sauce.
Use Rubs for Deep Flavor
Rubs seasoned the salmon before cooking, forming a flavorful crust. Blends to try include:
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Brown Sugar Chili Rub – Coat salmon with brown sugar, chili powder, cumin and salt for sweet heat.
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Lemon Pepper Rub – Mix lemon zest with cracked pepper, oregano, paprika and olive oil.
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Cajun Spice Rub – Use typical Cajun spices like garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, thyme and oregano.
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Jerk Spice Rub – Make an island-inspired rub with allspice, thyme, garlic, brown sugar and chili flakes.
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Herb Garlic Rub – For aromatic flavor, combine minced garlic with rosemary, sage and olive oil.
Roast with Veggies
Roasting salmon with vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, potatoes or Brussels sprouts adds extra dimensions of flavor. Toss the veggies in olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper before roasting.
Grill Over Wood
For next-level grilled salmon, use aromatic wood chips or planks like cedar, alder or maple. This infuses the salmon with subtle smoky notes as it cooks. Soak wood chips or planks beforehand.
Bake with Citrus
Baking salmon with slices of citrus fruits like lemon, lime or orange adds bright, lively flavors. Place the salmon atop the citrus slices for an instant flavor boost.
Brush with Teriyaki
When pan-searing or grilling salmon, try brushing it with teriyaki sauce as it cooks. This glazes the fish in delicious sweet and salty flavor.
Finish with a Drizzle
Before serving, drizzle your salmon with a flavorful finishing oil like olive oil, toasted sesame oil or chili oil. This adds a final punch of flavor.
Add Accompaniments
Serve salmon with sides that complement it like couscous, quinoa, roasted potatoes or a fresh green salad. This brings the entire meal together.
Infuse with Herbs
You can pack even more herby taste into salmon by stuffing the cavity with a blend of fresh herbs, garlic and citrus before baking or grilling.
Use Your Imagination!
Don’t limit yourself to traditional pairings. Feel free to try creative seasonings like harissa, za’atar, Chinese five spice or jerk seasoning to discover new flavor combos.
The possibilities for intensely flavorful salmon are endless. With minimal effort, you can take a salmon fillet from bland to bold and make it the highlight of any feast. Next time you cook this amazing fish, experiment with these suggestions to find your new go-to preparations.
Ingredients for Salmon Seasoning
Here’s everything you’ll need handy to make this salmon seasoning. The good news is you likely have most or all of the ingredients on hand in your pantry or cupboard already.
- Brown sugar. This is going to add a much desired layer of sweetness to your fish, and a nice texture to your final product.
- Black pepper. I highly recommend cracking some fresh pepper when it’s time to blend your seasoning.
- Sea salt. You want to use a course ground for this recipe. You can also use Kosher salt.
- Dried basil. I’m the first to tell you to use fresh herbs whenever possible, but I recommend dried basil so your seasoning will keep longer.
- Garlic powder. This is going to highlight and add to the natural savory flavor of your salmon.
- Smoked paprika. Along with the actual smoke from your grill, this is how you add that yummy, smoky flavor to your salmon. And unlike the smoke, you can adjust the level to your preference.
- Lime zest. If you’ll be using the seasoning right away, save the lime to squeeze some fresh juice on your finished salmon.
Ways to Use This Seasoning
You might think from the name that this seasoning is only good with salmon, but trust me, it’s great on all sorts of things. It not only pairs great with seafood and veggies, but also proteins, such as chicken, beef, and pork. You can even sprinkle it on fresh popcorn for a tasty treat. Just keep in mind there is brown sugar in this recipe. Because of that I recommend cooking whatever you use it on over indirect heat.
3 Simple Marinades to Add More Flavor to Salmon
FAQ
What can I put on salmon to make it taste better?
How do you add Flavour to salmon?
Salmon does not need much seasoning to be flavorful. You can season it with just salt and black pepper or with a combination of lemon juice, fresh herbs, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, butter, minced garlic, and any other flavors you desire.
What is a good seasoning to put on salmon?
A simple but effective seasoning for salmon is a combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. For a more complex flavor, consider adding paprika, dill, or lemon zest.
What is the most flavorful way to cook salmon?
- Heat the oven to 275°F.
- Place a salmon fillet in a baking dish. Rub all over with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast until salmon flakes easily, or a thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 120°F (about 30 minutes for a 6-ounce fillet).