Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Skip the pricey store-bought seasoning blends and make your own salmon seasoning at home with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. This rub is savory, smoky, and sweet, giving your salmon a boost of flavor. It can be used for grilled, baked, fried, or air fried salmon.
How long it takes: 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: a jar or small bowl
Servings: ⅓ cup
Sweet, smoky, and ready in seconds
I love a good homemade seasoning recipe!
This salmon seasoning is a perfect example of how you can take a bunch of everyday pantry staples and make them into the kind of pricey gourmet spice rubs which stock the shelves at your favorite cooking shop.
After you try this salmon seasoning, make a batch of Cajun seasoning, chili seasoning, or one of my other homemade seasoning recipes. My steak seasoning will take your grilled steak to the next level!
What makes it special:
- Works for a variety of cooking methods. You can use this salmon rub to make baked, broiled, or grilled salmon.
- Quick and easy. It goes without saying that making this salmon seasoning is easy—just mix everything together and you’re done.
- Suitable for seafood skeptics. Seafood isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you have some picky eaters in the house. The beauty of this salmon rub is that it has an understated sweetness from the brown sugar that’s enough to coax even the most ardent salmon haters to give it a try.
Three Delicious Ways To Cook Salmon
Cooking salmon is just as quick and easy as stirring up this rub, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Not sure how to cook salmon? Start with my best grilled salmon recipe, air fryer salmon, or easy baked salmon.
“What a great blend of spices! Absolutely loved it on salmon. Can’t wait to try it on on chicken, pork and burgers, too!”
Ingredient Notes
Be sure to check the recipe card below for measurements and instructions.
- Brown sugar: You can use either light or dark brown; dark brown has a more pronounced molasses flavor. Brown sugar helps form that slightly sweet caramelized crust that’s so good.
- Paprika and smoked paprika: Regular paprika has a mildly sweet, earthy taste; smoked paprika will give the salmon a nice, smoky flavor.
- More pantry seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, mustard powder, salt and pepper provide plenty of savory flavor.
How To Make Salmon Seasoning
Combine. Measure out all of the ingredients into a small bowl or jar, and mix well.
Season salmon. For every eight ounces of salmon, rub a teaspoon of oil into the top, then pat in a tablespoon of salmon seasoning. The oil will help the seasoning stick. Coating the salmon in oil also ensures that the salmon won’t stick to your cooking surface and helps the salmon brown.
Broil, grill, air fry, or bake the salmon. For more how-to information, refer to my recipes for broiled salmon, grilled salmon, or baked salmon. You can also use it for air fryer salmon and air fryer salmon bites.
Recipe Variations
- Adjust as desired. You can change the ratios of your salmon seasoning according to your tastes; use more smoked paprika for a smokier flavor, less salt if you’re watching your sodium, etc.
- Use coconut sugar. Coconut sugar is a less-processed alternative to regular sugar and it has a slightly caramelized flavor that’s similar to brown sugar.
- Try a different salmon recipe. Salmon is pretty versatile. You can pair it with pesto, chimichurri, barbecue, lemon, soy sauce, and more. For recipe inspiration, check out my list of 15 easy salmon recipes.
Make a batch of salmon seasoning ahead of time and keep it on hand in your pantry or another cool, dry place. It will keep for up to 6 months. Then, whenever you’re making salmon for dinner, you’ll have your seasoning ready to go!
Seasoning Mix Recipes
Salmon Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed (coconut sugar can be substituted)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, blend together brown sugar and spices until well combined.1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- For 8 ounces of salmon: Rub 1 teaspoon olive oil into top side of salmon (skin side down). Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of seasoning onto salmon; lightly pat with fingertips to adhere. Repeat for additional salmon fillets.
- Broil, grill, or bake salmon as desired.
Notes
- Storage: Store rub in a tightly covered jar or container (makes ⅓ cup). Small recycled jars work well. It will keep for up to 6 months in your pantry.
- Lower sodium: If you’re watching your sodium intake, feel free to use less salt. It’s easy to make this salmon rub just the way you prefer.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
I haven’t tried the seasoning yet, though I have been looking for sauces and seasonings for salmon. Do you have any sauce ideas for salmon? I’d. be interested to try them if you do. thank you
Hi! I have over 15 salmon recipes, and many of them have sauces – see them here: https://www.rachelcooks.com/15-easy-salmon-recipes/. You also can’t go wrong with hot honey, bbq, or yogurt mixed with salt, pepper, garlic, fresh dill, and lemon juice.
Excellent flavor. My family loved this on salmon.
So glad you liked it! Thank you for leaving a review!
What a great blend of spices! Absolutely loved it on salmon. Can’t wait to try it on on chicken, pork and burgers, too!
So glad you liked it! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review – it means a lot!
fantastic!
Thank you!
Love the salmon spice! I am finding so many great recipes for seasonings. Because of my health I have cut out sugar and use very limited salt so to be able to make your seasoning combos is awesome!
Yes, making your own is such a great way to control what goes into your body! Thanks for leaving a comment!