Salmon is a super versatile protein. It can be in a fresh summer salad or in a heavy pasta comfort dish. It’s healthy, tasty, and easy to cook! Across our blog, we’ve shared dozens of recipes from gourmet date night dishes to quick workday lunches.
Sometimes, though, you just want to cook up a salmon filet without the hassle of a lengthy recipe—simple or not. And the easiest way to make a flavorful salmon filet is with some tasty seasoning!
There are so many reasons to use a good seasoning on your salmon. Seasoning amplifies and compliments salmon’s natural fishy flavor. Plus, it’s an easy way to add variety to your daily salmon dishes. Seasoning even protects the skin and preserves the salmon’s pink color while you’re cooking!
Seasonings are one of the best salmon cooking tools, but what are some good blends for this tasty fish? Here are 5 of the best seasoning for salmon:
What are the Best Seasonings for Salmon
Italian Seasoning Mix
The bold seafood flavors of fresh salmon balance beautifully with this earthy Italian spice blend! The robust taste of the mixture highlights the sweet and buttery taste of the salmon to create an exciting Italian entrée.
This seasoning blend includes basil, thyme, oregano, marjoram, sage, and rosemary. You have the floral flavors of basil and thyme combined with the bitter tastes of oregano and marjoram for a subtle sweet umami experience. To customize it for your own preferences, add red pepper flakes for a little spice or garlic powder for a classic Italian aroma. (This is why making homemade salmon seasoning is such a good idea. You can make it perfect for your taste!)
Salmon seasoned with this blend pairs great with parmesan green beans or fresh caprese salad. Really, any traditional Italian side dish will be complemented by this seasoning. And, this blend will pair well with other foods aside from salmon too! So, it’s a great kitchen staple to always keep around.
Sweet and Smoky Seasoning
If you’re looking to grill your salmon steaks or filets, this sweet and smoky seasoning is a great choice. This smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness accompanies the light texture and flavor of any high-quality salmon cut. It’s the perfect mixture for a bold grill-out with macaroni and cheese or a pile of Southern coleslaw—really any barbecue-ready sides.
This blend is super simple. You mix brown sugar, black pepper, sea salt, dried basil, garlic, paprika, and a little lime zest in a small bowl to create your seasoning. Citrus is always great with fish, especially the rich flavor of grilled salmon. Basil and brown sugar are sweet. Smoked paprika and garlic are bold and lingering. Finally, salt and pepper balances it out with salty and spicy kicks.
This blend will create a full-bodied flavor that’ll stick with you throughout your meal. Even while munching your flavorful sides. The spices will delight your taste buds with their woody and meaty nuances, all packed inside a flaky and fresh seafood delicacy. Can you say YUM?
Japanese Curry Powder
Salmon and curry go great together! This Japanese curry powder is very similar to Indian curry powder, but it’s a little less spicy. It’s more sweet and mild. Because of this, it goes great with the delicate yet sharp taste of salmon. It adds a little punch, but not so much it clashes with salmon’s signature flavor.
This blend includes turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, black pepper, ground cinnamon, ginger, garlic powder, nutmeg, fennel, cardamom, bay leaf, and cloves! You can dress it up even more with star anise, allspice, thyme, sage, and cayenne. You’ll toast the spices to add another layer of flavor and a delightful spiced aroma.
In this blend, you have the nutty flavors of coriander, cumin, and fenugreek that playfully complement the sweet flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Those combinations are almost fruity, so to balance it out, the recipe calls for the pungent notes of garlic and ginger. It’s a savory sweet curry blend perfect for Asian dishes! (Both South and East Asian.)
Citrus Herb Seasoning Salt
Citrus is a great companion to all sorts of seafood. The acidic flavors even out the briny fish flavor and tones back the sharp taste. This spice blend includes kosher salt, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sugar, paprika, and red-pepper flakes.
Rosemary, oregano, and thyme make up the herby part of the blend that is aromatic and super tasty. Paprika and red-pepper flakes give it a bold punch and a little spice. All this is balanced perfectly with the citrusy, sweet flavors of the lemon and the buttery taste of the salmon.
You can cook salmon in this citrus herb seasoning salt with lots of salmon recipes. You can simply pan fry it and serve it with steamed vegetables. Or, you can bake it for a healthier cooking method!
“Magic” Salmon Seasoning
This magic salmon seasoning is a must-have for home cooks everywhere. It brings out all the best flavors in seafood! This “magic” mixture is reminiscent of Old Bay and blackening seasoning blends to create a more versatile mixture. It’s not too bland, but not too hot. Just perfect for everyday cooking.
You need smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, celery seed, cumin, allspice, and salt. The flavor is strong with sharp notes from paprika, onion, and garlic. Celery, cumin, and thyme tone it back with their bitter tastes that are surprisingly pleasant. It can’t all be pungent! So, allspice brings the sweet energy to the blend.
Since this seasoning is so versatile, you can cook with it in any way! Pair it with your favorite vegetable and starchy sides for a complete salmon meal.
Having a good salmon spice blend makes cooking up a delicious seafood meal a total breeze!
If you’ve been craving the delicious, mild flavors of ocean-farmed fresh salmon, a good seasoning is all you need to make a perfect entrée. You’ll be happy with any of these blends, whether you’re simply pan frying or baking your salmon filet. Or, making it a little more complicated by mixing it into a pasta or taco dish! If you want more ideas on how to use these seasoning mixes, check out our blog.
And, if you’re ready to add salmon to next week’s meal plan, check out our fresh salmon packages that ship right to you. Use code FRESH for 15% off your first order. What are you waiting for? Let’s grab salmon and spice things up!