Easy and Amazing Blackened Salmon

Easy and Amazing Blackened Salmon is a foolproof way to cook restaurant-worthy salmon at home! The salmon is tender and flakey and packed with flavor that is going to wow your taste buds!

Salmon is an easy and healthy dinner choice that is super easy to customize and cook. Try these tried and true recipes like Air Fryer Salmon, Croquettes, and Salmon Foil Packets.

Blackened Salmon

When you want a dinner that is chock-full of flavor but is super easy and quick, this recipe is it! Fresh, tender, juicy salmon is smothered with spices that are then seared into the meat for a taste that is a total crowd pleaser! This is one of those meals that everyone is going to think that you slaved over, but it could not be any easier. One of the best things about the dish is that you can customize the spice level on your blackened seasoning, make it milder or turn up the heat, it’s all up to you.

Salmon is a healthy choice for dinner. It’s full of healthy fats, B-Vitamins, and protein. Eating salmon on a regular basis can improve brain function, help manage weight, fight inflammation, and reduce the risk of heart disease. The fact that it is also so versatile and delicious is a bonus. Salmon does not have a fishy flavor, so it is easy to add a variety of flavors to enhance it. Try Brown Butter Lemon, Parmesan Garlic Herb, or Honey Garlic Dijon Salmon to see what I mean! And of course this blackened salmon is insanely delicious, you have to try them all!

Ingredients For Easy Blackened Salmon

With only three ingredients this could not be more simple. It is perfect for a busy weekday or a lazy weekend. The bold blackened spice is the perfect blend for the salmon.

• Salmon: Look for bright vibrant salmon fillets for the fresh flavor.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is one of the best complementary oils for salmon as it won’t influence the flavor.
• Blackened Seasoning: You can use a premade seasoning if you want but the best flavor will come from homemade. It’s super easy and you can customize it. Get the recipe here.

How to Make Bold Flavored Salmon

The most important thing to remember about salmon is that you do not want to overcook it. Watch it carefully because it can go from not done to overdone in minutes. This is truly a divine dish!

1. Prep the Salmon: Preheat a medium sized non stick skillet to medium high heat. Rub the salmon with olive oil. Rub about 1 teaspoon of blackened seasoning on the salmon.
2. Cook: Place the salmon skin side up and cook for about 3-4 minutes. Carefully flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily.

Tips For The Best Blackened Salmon

Don’t fret, blackened does not mean burnt, it’s actually a cooking technique. The blackening occurs when the oil and the herbs hit the heat and create a super flavorful toasted crust on the salmon. It’s amazing how tender and juicy it will still be on the inside.

• Covering: There are two things that have to happen to create the unique flavor of anything blackened. The first is that you want to completely coat the fish, chicken or whatever you are using. This will make sure the intense flavor is in every bite and it will be less likely to stick to the pan.
• Fat: The second important thing is you need the oil or if you choose, butter to adhere the spices to the meat as well help it create that one -of-a-kind flavor and crust.
• Keep the Salmon Cold: Before you are ready to cook, make sure your salmon is good and cold. This will help the oil, or butter and herbs stick to the salmon better.
• Use a HOT Skillet: I prefer to use a cast iron skillet for it’s even distribution of heat, any good heavy bottomed pan will work. Having it be extra hot will ensure the salmon blackens evenly and doesn’t stick.
• Don’t Move it: Once you place the salmon in the skillet, do not move it for the first few minutes. This will ensure the spices stay on the salmon and that it doesn’t stick to the pan.

What to Serve with Blackened Salmon

Salmon is a rich fish, that can seem heavy to some, so keeping the side dishes lighter help balance this heavenly meal. Think salads, pasta or rice and vegetables. All of these are great options with this luscious dinner. Round it out with a light but delectable dessert for a weekday meal that will help everyone get to the weekend.

Salads

Summer Corn Salad

Salads

Wedge Salad

Side Dishes

Stick of Butter Baked Rice

Dinner

Easiest Vegetable Stir Fry

Storing Leftover Salmon

Truly this is best the day it is made, but it will keep for up to a day in the fridge. The hardest part is not drying it out when you reheat it. Use a skillet over medium-low heat and cook just till it’s warmed through. Leftovers will go awesome tossed with pasta, rice, salads, or even a taco.

More Bold Flavored Recipes

One of the best parts of making your own blackening spice or any spice is you can control the heat. It’s the same way with this incredible Cajun Spice made from scratch. Both of these spices are extremely similar in flavor and ingredients. These spices will jazz up any dish from chicken to fish, they can really add a punch of flavor to your favorite recipes. Even pasta is fabulous with these spices, turning ordinary into extraordinary.  If you haven’t tried these before, now is the time and these are the recipes to try it with. Trust me you are going to love them and this incredible blend of flavors!

Dinner

Blackened Chicken Avocado Power Bowls

Dinner

Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Skillet

Dinner

Baked Cajun Garlic Butter Cod

Dinner

Blackened Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Salsa

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Blackened Salmon

Easy and Amazing Blackened Salmon is a foolproof way to cook restaurant-worthy salmon at home! The salmon is tender and flakey and packed with flavor that is going to wow your taste buds!

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword blackened salmon

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 4 salmon

Calories 192kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 1 pound salmon
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• Recipe for Blackened Seasoning

Instructions

• Preheat a medium-sized nonstick skillet to medium-high heat. Rub the salmon with olive oil. Rub about 1 teaspoon of blackened seasoning on the salmon.
• Place the salmon skin side up and cook for about 3-4 minutes. Carefully flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily.

Nutrition

Calories: 192kcal | Protein: 22g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 556mg | Vitamin A: 45IU | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

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AMAZING Texas Sheet Cake

Texas sheet cake is the chocolate dessert that dreams are made of!! It’s so moist, chocolatey, and rich that you won’t know what hit you when you take a bite!

Easy to make and every more delicious to eat, this Texas sheet cake will be a hit at any party or potluck that you bring it to! If you love chocolate like me, make sure to try out this Chocolate Pie, Chocolate Icebox Cake, and one of my all-time favorites Chocolate Lasagna! I know that you will love them all!

Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

If you have never heard of (or tried) Texas sheet cake before then my goodness, you are in for a treat!! Literally. This cake is made up of a thin layer of moist, chocolate cake with an ooey-gooey chocolate frosting and is topped with some nuts. It is baked in a jelly roll pan (a large cookie sheet) so each time you make it, it makes enough to feed an army. But I could eat the entire thing by myself! It’s THAT good!

The cake isn’t cooked in a traditional cake pan which makes the pieces thin and easy to eat! Even though it’s rich, the pieces are smaller sized than a normal cake. This cake is SOO delicious, it is hard to stop after just one piece! Because it’s large (like Texas!) it feeds a lot of people! This is what makes it a fantastic dessert to bring to holiday parties or neighborhood potlucks. Plus, it’s super easy to bake, a no-fuss cake that anyone can make! It really challenges my favorite Praline Apple Bundt Cake as a favorite dessert contender of mine. But honestly, this Texas sheet cake is so yummy that’s it’s a dessert your entire family will go crazy for!

What’s in a Sheet Cake?

As you look at these ingredients you will see that you probably have a lot of them on hand already! So you can whip this up anytime you want which is why this cake is always a great choice! See the recipe card below for exact ingredient measurements.

• All purpose flour: The flour helps work as a base that will tie all of the ingredients together.
• Sugar: Used for the sweet taste as well as adding to the moisture of the cake.
• Butter: Make sure to use unsalted butter for this recipe!
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: This is what give your cake that delicious chocolatey flavor!
• Vegetable shortening: This will hel you cake maintain structure without spreading too much.
• Water: This will bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla extract: Using vanilla will add flavor to the sweetness.
• Buttermilk: You can use store bought buttermillk or, if you don’t have any on hand then try this super easy homemade buttermilk recipe!
• Baking soda: This will help your cake ride and be fluffy and moist!
• Salt: This will enhance the flavor of your cake and give a good balance so it’s not too sweet.
• Eggs: The eggs will add that amazing moist texture to your cake!

Chocolate Frosting

• Milk: The milk controls how thick the frosting is. If you want even richer frosting, use whole milk!
• Butter: Use unsalted butter in the frosting too!
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: A delicious chocolate taste to match the cake batter.
• Powdered Sugar: This will give the frosting that sweet and smooth texture.
• Vanilla: Adds flavor to the sweetness.
• Salt: The salt counteracts all of the sugar so it’s not over the top sweet.
• Pecans or walnuts: These are completely optional to add to the finished cake!

Let’s Bake a Sheet Cake!

Now that you see that the ingredients list is simple and stuff that you already have on hand, let’s bake a sheet cake! This is so much easier than a traditional cake and will only take you about 10 minutes to get it to put together and in the oven!!

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°. Grease and flour an 18×13 cookie sheet with sides at least 1 ½ inch high and set aside. 
2. Combine: In a medium bowl combine the flour and sugar.
3. Bring to boil: In a medium sauce pan bring the butter, cocoa powder, shortening and water to a boil over medium heat.
4. Pour and mix: Pour the hot mixture over the flour and sugar mixture and use a hand mixer or stand mixer on low to combine. Add the vanilla, buttermilk, baking soda and salt and mix until combined. Add the eggs and mix well.
5. Bake: Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and tap the pan on the counter a few times to pop some of the larger bubbles in the batter. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the center of the cake springs back when gently pressed.
6. Cool: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. Top with nuts if desired.

How to Make Homemade Frosting?

1. Bring to a boil: Use the same sauce pan that the cake batter was made in (no need to clean it if you don’t want to) combine the milk, butter and cocoa over medium heat until just boiling. Be careful not to burn it!
2. Mix and combine: Remove from the heat and transfer to a medium bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix until completely combined.
3. Cool and pour: Allow the frosting to cool to room temperature before pouring over the cooled cake.

Helpful Baking Tips

Classic Texas sheet cake is an easy chocolate cake that will not disappoint! Both the frosting and the cake batter use the same dishes, so it makes for an easy recipe to clean up!

• Use shortening and butter: Butter gives the cake great flavor while the shortening aids in helping the texture. You certainly can use all butter if you prefer, but you will sacrifice some of the lightness and moisture the shortening lends the recipe.
• Don’t burn: Make sure you keep stirring the water, butter, shortening and cocoa mixture for the cake batter as well as the milk, butter and cocoa mixture for the frosting. If you try to heat it too quickly or you don’t stir enough the mixture will burn and ruin the flavor of the cake.
• Use a food processor: Instead of mixing both the batter and the frosting in a mixer or with a hand mixer, you can mix both in a food processor. If you choose to do it this way you still don’t have to wash the food processor between making the batter and the frosting.
• Let the cake cool: If you frost the cake while it is too warm the frosting will be absorbed too much by the cake and will not give it the gooey, delicious layer of fudge icing that’s traditional on a Texas sheet cake.

Storing a Sheet Cake

Texas sheet cake is a wonderful cake that holds up very well at room temperature. That makes it perfect for making ahead of time and storing for a day or two. The cake absorbs some of the icing as it sits and gets even better the next day!

Room Temperature: Wrap with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 5 days.

More Desserts to Love

Delicious, sweet and easy to bake are my favorite things in a dessert! Here are a few more recipes that I absolutely love for desserts. Bake them up for a party, a potluck or just to eat in the comfort of your own home. They are all tried and true recipes that everyone in your family will love! In fact, once you start baking, you won’t be able to stop! Happy eating!

Desserts

Churro Cupcakes

Desserts

Southern Caramel Cake Cookies

Desserts

Cinnamon Sugar Rhubarb Cake

Desserts

Bongo Bars

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AMAZING Texas Sheet Cake

Texas sheet cake is the chocolate dessert that dreams are made of!! It's so moist, chocolatey and rich that you won't know what hit you when you take a bite!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Texas sheet cake, texas sheet cake recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 24 People

Calories 351kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 2 Cups Granulated Sugar
• ½ Cup Unsalted Butter
• 3 ½ Tablespoons Unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ Cup Vegetable Shortening
• 1 Cup Water
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• ½ Cup Buttermilk
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• ½ Teaspoon Salt
• 2 large Eggs

Frosting

• ½ Cup Milk
• 1 ½ Cup Unsalted Butter
• 5 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 3 Cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 dash Salt
• 1 Cup Chopped Pecans or Walnuts toasted (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°. Grease and flour an 18×13 cookie sheet with sides at least 1 ½ inch high and set aside.
• In a medium bowl combine the flour and sugar.
• In a medium sauce pan bring the butter, cocoa powder, shortening and water to a boil over medium heat.
• Pour the hot mixture over the flour and sugar mixture and use a hand mixer or stand mixer on low to combine. Add the vanilla, buttermilk, baking soda and salt and mix until combined. Add the eggs and mix well.
• Pour the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and tap the pan on the counter a few times to pop some of the larger bubbles in the batter. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the center of the cake springs back when gently pressed.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. Top with nuts if desired.

Frosting

• Use the same sauce pan that the cake batter was made in (no need to clean it if you don’t want to) combine the milk, butter and cocoa over medium heat until just boiling. Be careful not to burn it!
• Remove from the heat and transfer to a medium bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix until completely combined.
• Allow the frosting to cool to room temperature before pouring over the cooled cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 512IU | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

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Homemade Blackened Seasoning

Blackened seasoning is all the spice without too much heat! This seasoning has a delicious, mouthwatering, Cajun taste that will take your food to the next level!

This homemade spice is so quick and easy, you can whip some up right now to make sure that you never go without it! It can be used in so many recipes! In fact, if you love cajun food, be sure to try this Blackened Chicken, Grilled Blackened Salmon Tacos, and One Pan Southwest Blackened Cajun Chicken.

Blackened Seasoning Recipe

If you love Cajon food but want to know the difference between all of the spices, I am here to help you! There are usually 3 different spices that are used for Cajun cooking. Cajun Seasoning, blackened Seasoning, and Creole seasoning. Cajun seasoning will be your spiciest option with the most amount of heat. Creole seasoning is a mixture of herbs that is mild in heat. Blackened seasoning falls directly in the middle! It still offers a little bit of heat but a whole lot of taste! It definitely is a “WOW” factor flavor and really takes your food to the next level!

Known for its foods that have so much mouthwatering flavor, this spice hails from New Orleans! You are probably most familiar with tasting blackened seasoning on shrimp and seafood. But you can use this in so many recipes that I honestly can’t think of any vegetable or meat that you couldn’t put this on and make it better! I recommend doubling it and keeping it in your spice cupboard so that you always have it on hand! It will dazzle you with its magic and you will go crazy over all of the recipes that you add this to!

What You Need to Make Easy Blackened Seasoning

You probably already have all of these ingredients in your spice cupboard! That makes the decision of whether to whip this up or not an easy yes! This recipe is simple and takes 5 minutes from start to finish. When you are done, you will have yourself a delicious, versatile spice that can be used in so many recipes! See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.

• Paprika: This balances out the heat in the dish!
• Onion and garlic powder: You need both for this to taste amazing so don’t try and just use one and not the other!
• Cayenne pepper: Add or take away the cayenne pepper depending on if you want more or less heat!
• Thyme, basil and oregano: These dried herbs add depth to this seasoning.
• Salt and pepper: These really bring out the other flavors and blend everything together.

Let’s Make Homemade Blackened Seasoning!

Set aside 5 minutes and you will have an amazing blackened seasoning mix right at your fingertips! And you won’t even have to go to the store! This saves money and let’s be honest… homemade is always better!

Mix: Combine the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, basil, oregano, pepper and salt. Store in an air tight container.

Different Ways to Make Blackened Seasoning

Homemade spices are my very favorite because you have complete control over your end result! You can change up the heat level, make it taste more earthy, and also make how much you need or want! Here are a couple of tips for changing things up with this blackened seasoning to make it fit your needs!

• Cayenne: This is the spice in the recipe that is going to really bring on the heat. If you love it, add a little bit at a time until the heat reaches your desired level. If you don’t love heat, put less in!
• Paprika: If you want to make this a little bit unique, use smoked paprika instead! It will really pack some smokey flavor into this spice making it especially good for meats and seafoods!
• Cajon recipes: This seasoning is pretty interchangable with Cajun seasoning so if you have a recipe that calls for that and you don’t have it then you can use this instead! And vice versa!

How to Store Leftover Blackened Seasoning in a Jar

Storing this blackened seasoning the right way will be the key to its freshness! You should always store this in an airtight container. Make sure the container isn’t too big because you don’t want a lot of air in there with the seasoning. You can use a leftover spice jar or order some new empty ones and make a bunch of homemade spices at once! You should properly label your jar with the name of the spice and the date that you made it. It will last in your cupboard or drawer (make sure it’s in a cool, dry space) for about 1-2 years!

More Homemade Spices and Seasonings

I love homemade spices because I can make them exactly how I like! I have listed a few of my favorites that I use in our house all the time!! I love making them ahead and having them on hand, ready to go when I find a recipe. Once you start making your own spices and seasonings, you will never go back! Try them out and see for yourself!

Cinnamon

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning

Easy Recipes

Homemade Fajita Seasoning

Pantry Staples

Homemade Italian Seasoning

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Homemade Blackened Seasoning

Blackened seasoning is all the spice without too much heat! This seasoning has a delicious, mouthwatering, Cajun taste that will take your food to the next level!

Course Seasoning

Cuisine American

Keyword blackened seasoning, blackened seasoning recipe, homemade blackened seasoning

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 4 Tablespoons

Calories 28kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Paprika
• 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Combine the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, basil, oregano, pepper and salt. Store in an air tight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 28kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 587mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1955IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

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