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This is the perfect 30-minute salmon recipe for busy weeknights, and with the tips below, you’ll learn how not to overcook your salmon and get that flaky texture every time!

Quick Spicy Cajun Salmon
When everyone is hungry, I grab salmon fillets, Cajun seasoning, and olive oil, and bake this spicy salmon. Just 3 ingredients, and in 30 minutes, dinner is ready. I bake salmon in the oven in this recipe, but you can cook this delicious Cajun salmon quickly in the pan instead.
How to Bake Cajun Salmon in the Oven
Check the simple step-by-step to make this epic salmon recipe:
- Season the salmon.
Mix the olive oil and the Cajun seasoning into a paste. To help this mix stick to the salmon, pat the fillets dry with a paper towel. - Bake to perfection.
In a preheated oven at 400F, it takes 16 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon. It’s ready when the salmon flakes separate easily with a fork. - Serve.
I like to serve this salmon with baked potatoes and broccoli; you can add your favorite salmon side dishes.

Laura’s Tips for Cajun Baked Salmon
By mixing herbs and spices in a breeze, you can make your own Cajun spice mix to sprinkle on salmon, beef, veggies, and so much more! You can switch it up a bit and use this Creole Seasoning recipe, which takes 5 minutes and yields a tastier and fresher mix than the ones at the grocery store.
The best temperature to bake salmon alone is 400F, and it takes between 16 and 18 minutes to be perfectly done. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the salmon fillets and the oven temperature. You can also bake salmon in foil to save clean-up time!
Check for doneness at the beginning of the cooking time noted in the recipe by poking the salmon with a fork in the thickest part (usually in the middle). If it separates easily into flake-like pieces and the salmon is evenly colored, it's done. You can also know if it's perfectly cooked using a meat thermometer in the thickest part. Baked Cajun salmon is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 145F.
How to Serve It
This baked salmon pairs amazingly well with spicy green beans, this roasted curried cauliflower, or a simple side salad. Or cook 2 extra pieces and turn salmon into a completely different meal, like in this Cajun salmon pasta.
Baked Cajun Salmon | 3-Ingredients!

Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 4 4-ounce salmon fillets
Instructions
Prep the oven:
- Position your oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Season:
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and the Cajun seasoning into a paste.
- Pat dry salmon fillets with a paper towel and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the Cajun seasoning over the salmon fillets.
Bake the salmon:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness of your salmon, until the salmon flakes and separates easily with a fork. Remove salmon from oven.
Serve:
- Serve the salmon with baked potatoes and broccoli or with your favorite side.








Cristina says
Turned out amazing! I will definitely be adding to my meal rotation.
The fish was perfectly flaky (at a 16 min. cook time for my oven), and was just the right amount of heat.
Thanks for sharing!
Laura Fuentes says
Thank you for sharing how much you enjoyed this baked cajun salmon, Cristina!