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Let this tasty salmon seasoning work its magic on your fillets! This blend makes the fish taste incredible whether it’s baked, pan seared or grilled.

Salmon seasoning
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Want to make your salmon taste like a restaurant? Try this magic salmon seasoning! This spice blend works with any type of salmon and to bring out the best savory flavor. Once we stumbled upon this incredible spice blend, we stopped using any other recipe for this fish.

All you need is a jar of this best seasoning for salmon and you’re good to go! Grill it, bake it, or pan fry it, and this seasoning impresses everyone every time. Here’s how to make it!

Ingredients in salmon seasoning

The secret spices in this salmon seasoning are inspired by a few things. First off: Old Bay! It’s a popular seasoning for seafood and we wanted to bring in some of those notes. We also took inspiration from our blackened seasoning, used often for salmon. The final blend uses the best of both mixes, without the heat. Simply mix together the following ingredients in a clean jar:

  • Smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Thyme
  • Celery seed
  • Cumin
  • Allspice
  • Salt

How to season salmon

Here’s the important part! Once you’ve got your salmon seasoning mixed up, how do you season salmon? Here’s the magic ratio to use, and a few tips for whether you’re making grilled or baked salmon:

  • Ratio: Use 1 tablespoon spice blend for every ½ pound of salmon.
  • Grilled salmon or pan seared salmon: Pat 1 pound salmon dry with a clean towel. Rub it with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle it with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and 2 tablespoons seasoning blend.
  • Baked salmon: Pat 1 pound salmon dry and place it on oiled foil on a baking sheet. Sprinkle it with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and 2 tablespoons seasoning blend.
Salmon seasoning

Why to use smoked paprika

Use smoked paprika if you can find it for this salmon seasoning! It adds a subtle smoky flavor that’s irresistible. Smoked paprika is a Spanish version of paprika that is made with peppers that are smoked over a fire. You can find it in the spice aisle in most grocery stores; it’s also available online here. It might be labeled as pimentón, Spanish smoked paprika or sweet smoked paprika.

You can substitute sweet paprika if it’s all you can find, but we highly recommend seeking out the smoked version. It truly makes this the best seasoning for salmon.

How long to store salmon seasoning

You can store your homemade salmon seasoning mix in an airtight container for 6 months to 1 year. Of course, it’s best when it’s the freshest! Spices generally last in a cool, dry place for 8 months to 1 year. You can use this spice blend to add new life to spices that you’ve had for a while.

Ways to season salmon

There are lots of ways to season salmon! If you want some ideas on how to branch out from this seasoning blend, we’ve got lots of options. Here are our favorite ideas:

Dietary notes

This salmon seasoning recipe is vegetarian, gluten free, vegan, plant based, dairy free, naturally sweet, refined sugar free, low carb, and keto.

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Magic Salmon Seasoning

Salmon seasoning
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4.8 from 6 reviews

Let this tasty salmon seasoning work its magic on your fillets! This blend makes the fish taste incredible whether it’s baked, pan seared or grilled.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: About 6 tablespoons 1x
  • Category: Seasoning
  • Method: Mixed
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika or sweet paprika
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice

Instructions

  1. Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. Transfer to an airtight container or jar. Store for 6 months to 1 year in a cool, dry place.
  2. How to season salmon: Use 1 tablespoon salmon seasoning for every ½ pound (8 ounces) of salmon.

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More seasoning blends

Making DIY seasoning mixes at home is so easy! They taste incredible—much better than store-bought—and are fun gifts, too. Try all our seasoning blends (listed by style):

About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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16 Comments

  1. Cindy says:

    Loved this seasoning mix! I am new to making salmon. I whipped it up for my son and I .(he is 10 and he loved it!!!)
    Thank you!!






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