Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

Tender salmon glazed with cajun honey butter sauce is a mouthwatering dish bursting with flavor! The salmon is seasoned to perfection, baked, then coated in an easy honey garlic butter sauce, similar to my seafood boil sauce, that’ll have you licking the plate!

The thick sauce has a smooth, velvety finish that coats the tender, flaky fish, giving it a glossy glow. It’s ideal for a quick dinner option but also great for a special occasion! After your first forkful, your taste buds will be dancing and full of joy!

Why You’ll Love This Cajun Salmon Recipe

• Quick and Easy! This simple recipe has an optional inclusion of asparagus. That means you can have a balanced dinner ready in just 30 minutes. 
• So Flavorful! I love adding cajun seasoning to my food. The dry spice blend gives the dish a bold kick. We double down on the flavor with the sauce, which also includes citrusy notes, zesty dijon mustard, and your favorite hot sauce.
• Nutritious! Salmon is an excellent entree, filled with protein, healthy fats, and plenty of Omega-3s. It’s an easy option for a wholesome meal.

Key Ingredients

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

• Salmon – You can use frozen of fresh salmon filets. Just make you defrost them first if frozen. I also recommend using wild caught as opposed to farm raised for better texture and flavor!
• Mayo – Creamy and rich, mayo serves as the base for the salmon marinade, contributing to its moistness and helping the Cajun seasoning adhere to the fish.
• Cajun Seasoning – This is usually a blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, dried herbs, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also make your own homemade cajun seasoning blend!
• Garlic Powder – Adding garlic powder to enhances the savory notes.
• Honey – This sweet honey acts as a binding ingredient.
• Lemon Juice – This adds a bright, tangy pop of color. The acidity cuts through the savory flavors. 
• Asparagus – This is optional but an easy option if you want a healthy and convenient meal.
• Olive Oil – Use this to achieve a crispy, golden exterior during roasting

Cajun Honey Butter Sauce

• Salted Butter – This is the buttery foundation of the sauce. You can use unsalted butter, just be sure to taste and season accordingly.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic diced finely adds savory depth to your salmon glaze.
• Cajun Seasoning – Double down on that cajun flavor by including it in your sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes – Definitely add this for some spicy flavors.
• Honey – Sticky honey adds a natural sweetness that balances out the savory, spicy tastes. It also gives the sauce a luscious texture that really clings to the fish’s surface. If you have any spicy honey that you’d like to use to up the kick, you can absolutely do so! 
• Dijon Mustard – Tangy and sharp, this gives the sauce a mustard undertone.
• Hot Sauce – Add a punch of spicy flavor by using your favorite hot sauce.
• Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens and refreshes the sauce, cutting through the richness and giving it the perfect balance.
• Mayo – This gives the sauce a smooth consistency. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel. Trim the hard ends off of the asparagus and place both salmon and asparagus onto a sheet pan. Season with salt and pepper.
• Mix together mayo, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and honey in a small bowl to make the marinade for the salmon. Use a brush or spoon to spread the marinade all over the salmon.
• Trim the hard ends off of the asparagus. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice on top. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the salmon is fully cooked. (Image 1)

• While the salmon is cooking, prepare the cajun honey butter sauce. Add butter to a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter, then add diced garlic and cook for about 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Add in the cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.
• Pour the honey, dijon mustard, and hot sauce into the saucepan and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 5-8 minutes, until slightly thickened (it should coat the back of a spoon). Add lemon juice and mayo and remove from the heat. Whisk together and set aside to cool.

• Once the salmon is finished cooking, remove from the oven and add 1/2 of the glaze on top. Broil for 1-3 minutes, until golden brown.
• Pour the remainder of the sauce on top and serve. Garnish with some fresh parsley.

Other Cooking Methods

• Pan-seared salmon: add a little olive oil and butter to a skillet or grill pan over medium heat and cook the salmon skin side up for 4-5 minutes, then flip and repeat. Make the sauce in a separate pan as instructed. 
• Grill: prepare the salmon as instructed and cook in a preheat grill (a grill an works here too) until cooked thoroughly, about 6-8 minutes or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees F.
• Air fryer method: prepare the salmon as instructed, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and cook for 7-10 minutes. Cover in half of the sauce and cook for another 2-4 minutes, until caramelized and saucy.