Name: Pan Seared Spicy Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Salt and pepper (for seasoning); 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature); 4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (divided)

Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.

Perfectly cooked spicy salmon in a pan that's flaky and has a delicious seared crust that's ready in 20 minutes... it's a winning recipe!

Solve any mid-week dinner with this simple recipe that helps you to build a tasty and healthy meal in a breeze.

Easy Spicy Salmon

It’s spicy and buttery and melts in your mouth: this tasty salmon recipe is one you’ll want to enjoy often! With simple ingredients and a pan, you can bring a healthy meal to the table in 20 minutes.

This Spicy Salmon combines the delicious taste and softness of butter with Cajun seasoning, a blend of spices that adds tons of flavor to any dish. You can use one from the store or make your own seasoning at home and have control over spiciness -and it’s much better! You can also use it for Cajun Shrimp Tacos or Cajun Alfredo Pasta!

We have the flavor, now let’s talk convenience. One nutritious protein you can cook in one pan quick and easy and it’s ready to serve in less than half an hour? I’m in! You just have to season and pan-sear the spicy salmon. That’s all! No, wait. That’s not all. Then, you have to savor every bite of this delicacy. #Amazing.

Ingredients

With oil, butter, and seasonings, you can turn plain salmon into an out-of-this-world spicy salmon. That simple and that good! You'll find the measurements for this recipe in the printable card below. Here is what you’ll need:

Salmon fillets: both fresh and frozen work perfectly. If using frozen, thaw it before cooking.
Olive oil: creates a delicious crust over the salmon.
Salt and pepper: for seasoning
Unsalted butter: at room temperature, to make a tasty Cajun butter.
Cajun seasoning: use your favorite or make my easy homemade recipe.

flaky pan seared spicy salmon with asparagus

How to Make Spicy Salmon in a Pan

This 20-minute dinner recipe comes together quick and easy in the pan. Just season, pan sear, season again, and you’ll start drooling right away! Here’s the simple step-by-step:

Season the salmon
Salmon tends to be a little slimy, so patting it dry with a paper towel will help the olive oil and seasoning stick.
Cook
When cooking salmon, start with a hot pan before you put the oil. And, once you place the salmon on the pan, don’t move it until it’s ready to flip halfway through cooking.
Prep the Cajun butter
While the salmon cooks, make the butter topping for serving.
Serve it up!
Once it’s ready, plate the salmon and put some of the cajun butter on top. Pair it with a healthy side, and you’re good to go!

Other Ways to Make it Spicy

The cajun seasoning is what makes this salmon spicy, both on the outside and seasoning the cajun butter. You can make it spicier by adding more cajun seasoning, selecting a spicier version of the cajun seasoning (heat levels vary by brand), or sprinkling some cayenne pepper in the butter.

What to Serve with Spicy Salmon

This recipe can only get better with the most mouthwatering sides! I like to keep it simple -but utterly delicious- pairing salmon with spicy green beans, an everyday side salad, or creamy mashed potatoes.

Storing Leftovers

Once salmon fillets are cooled, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can serve leftovers with your favorite salmon side dishes or build a delicious Nicoise Salad!

To reheat it, place salmon fillets in a microwave-safe dish with just enough water to cover the dish’s surface. Cover with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap and microwave at medium power for 1 to 2 minutes until heated through.

You can also can reheat salmon in the oven at 275F, by wrapping it in foil and placing it on a baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until it’s warmed.

Pan Seared Spicy Salmon

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 20

Perfectly cooked spicy salmon in a pan that's flaky and has a delicious seared crust that's ready in 20 minutes… it's a winning recipe!

5 from 15 votes

Print Pin

Ingredients

4 salmon fillets
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, for seasoning
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided

Instructions

Pat salmon fillets dry on both sides with a paper towel. Rub all over with oil, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning on top of the salmon fillets.
Heat a pan over medium-high heat, place salmon fillets, skin side-up (if using with skin), and sear the tops for about 4 to 6 minutes, flip the salmon, and cook an additional 6 to 8 minutes, until the salmon flakes separate easily. Turn off the heat. Salmon cooking times will vary by the thickness of the salmon pieces.
While the salmon cooks, combine the softened butter with the remaining 3 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning (1 tablespoon) in a small dish.
Place a generous dollop of Cajun butter on top of each salmon fillet, allow it to melt for 30 seconds and plate the salmon. Use the back of a spoon to spread Cajun butter over the top.