Cast Iron Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad

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A crispy, flavorful blackened salmon fillet cooked in a cast iron skillet and served over a fresh Caesar salad. This easy dinner comes together in about 20 minutes and delivers restaurant-quality results with very little effort.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Crispy blackened crust
  • Tender, juicy salmon
  • Ready in about 20 minutes
  • High in protein
  • Perfect paired with a classic Caesar salad

Ingredients

For the Salmon

  • 2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • olive oil or olive oil spray to coat the salmon
  • 1 tablespoon blackening seasoning(Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub is my favorite. I use it on burgers, steak, seafood and chicken because it has incredible flavor)
  • Optional: squeeze of fresh lemon

For the Caesar Salad

  • 2 romaine hearts, chopped
  • Caesar dressing: Use my Homemade Caesar Dressing Recipe or your favorite store-bought dressing
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Croutons
  • Fresh cracked black pepper
  • Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Equipment

Instructions

1. Prepare the Salmon

Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Lightly coat each fillet with oil, then season generously on all sides with the blackening seasoning.

2. Heat the Skillet

Place a cast iron skillet over medium heat and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes until hot.

3. Cook the Salmon

Add 1 tablespoon avocado oil then carefully place the salmon in the skillet.

Cook for 4–5 minutes without moving it to develop a flavorful crust.

Flip carefully and cook another 3–5 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork or reaches an internal temperature of 125–130°F for medium or 140–145°F if you prefer it fully cooked.

Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

4. Assemble the Salad

Toss chopped romaine with Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and black pepper.

Top with the hot blackened salmon and serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

This salmon pairs especially well with:

  • Classic Caesar salad
  • Garlic bread
  • Roasted asparagus
  • Grilled sweet potatoes
  • Rice pilaf

Tips

  • Patting the salmon dry helps create a better crust.
  • Let the cast iron fully preheat before adding the fish.
  • Avoid moving the salmon until it's ready to flip.
  • A fish spatula makes flipping much easier.

Personal Note

This has become one of my favorite quick weeknight meals. The cast iron gives the salmon an incredible crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Paired with a simple Caesar salad, it's a restaurant-style dinner that's easy enough to make any night of the week.

More Saalf Life pairings:

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