Back pocket recipe time! This all-purpose, easy Salmon Seasoning combines a handful of pantry spices to create a sweet, smoky, subtle blend that will help you cook seriously delicious salmon any night of the week. Call it kitchen magic!
Why You’ll Love this Salmon Rub
- You Can Use it for Any Salmon Cooking Method. It’s the best salmon seasoning for oven Baked Salmon, Grilled Salmon, Pan Seared Salmon, Broiled Salmon, Air Fryer Salmon, and even Smoked Salmon.
- DELISH. This magic salmon seasoning uses salty, sweet, and smoky elements to make the salmon taste complex. It’s our house salmon seasoning, and you’ll love it in your kitchen too!
- Pantry Spices. If you cook often, you likely already have all of the ingredients you need to make this seasoning.
- Reasonable Yield. Most seasoning mixes yield a GIANT batch, and then I have to deal with storing it. This recipe is scaled for 1 1/2 pounds of salmon (about 4 to 6 servings). If you want to multiply it for future use, you certainly can. The point is, the choice is YOURS to make.
- Gives You More Reasons to Cook Salmon. Salmon—a nutrient-dense source of protein—is a healthy addition to your diet. With this yummy all-purpose salmon seasoning, you’ll want to make salmon even more often!
How to Make the Best Salmon Seasoning
The Ingredients
- Brown Sugar. An important component of the magic salmon seasoning ingredients. It adds sweetness and creates scrumptious caramelization on the salmon.
- Dry Mustard Powder. When it comes to what herbs and spices go best with salmon, dry mustard is at the top of the list. It pairs wonderfully with salmon and gives the seasoning a hint of tang.
- Smoked Paprika. For a touch of smokiness.
- Salt. A must-have in any delicious seasoning.
- Cumin. Adds earthiness to the mixture.
- Ginger. A warm, earthy spice with a bit of zip.
- Garlic Powder. For a touch of garlicky flavor without the hassle of mincing garlic.
- Allspice. Warm, subtly complex, and a wonderful addition to a seasoning mixture.
The Directions
- Combine the Seasoning Ingredients. Your rub is ready.
- Use However You Like! Cook your salmon now or store the seasoning for later.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store seasoning in an airtight storage container or glass jar for up to 6 months.
Meal Prep Tip
Add seasoning to your spice cabinet for easy, quick dinners. Multiply this recipe as desired and store the seasoning in an airtight storage container or glass jar with your other spices.
What to Serve with Seasoned Salmon
- Pasta. Serve the salmon with Garlic Pasta or Mushroom Risotto for a scrumptious meal.
- Rice. Keep things simple with a side of Instant Pot Brown Rice.
- Salad. Salmon with this simple salmon seasoning would pair well with Grilled Corn Salad or Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad.
- Vegetables. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Roasted Cauliflower, Sauteed Carrots, and Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are all tasty options.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Whisk. Easily mixes all the spices together.
- Glass Jars. These reusable glass spice jars are perfect for homemade seasonings and dry rubs.
- Measuring Spoons. These spoons have magnets that keep them together during storage.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Make Sure Your Spices are Fresh. Check that expiration date and give them a sniff. If they smell stale (or you don’t smell anything at all), it’s time for them to be replaced.
- Pat Your Salmon Dry Before Adding the Seasoning. This will help the seasoning adhere and the salmon to a better final texture.
- Wait to Season Until Immediately Before Cooking. Salt draws out moisture, so don’t season salmon ahead of time, or you will deter it from getting a nice sear. If you want to prep your salmon early, make this Salmon Marinade up to 1 hour in advance.
- Add the Rub Before, Not After. Because spice rubs react with heat, it’s important you season the salmon prior to applying heat. For example, the brown sugar in this recipe caramelizes as the salmon cooks and the spices bloom against the salmon’s moisture and the fats in the olive oil.
- Play Around. Feel free to adapt this seasoning to what your family enjoys or what you have in your pantry. For example, you can use cardamom or cloves in place of the allspice. For spicy seasoning, add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper or ground chipotle pepper.
- Use About 1 Tablespoon Seasoning per 8 Ounces of Salmon. Don’t worry if you use a little more or a little less. Just make sure the salmon has a nice coating of seasoning and your results will be delicious.
Salmon Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice cardamom, or cloves
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together: brown sugar, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, cumin, ginger, garlic, and allspice. Store in an airtight container or jar for up to 6 months.
- USE TO SEASON SALMON: For every 8-ounces of salmon, use 1 tablespoon of the seasoning (that’s 2/3 tablespoon for a 6-ounce fillet or the full amount for a 1 1/2-pound fillet). Prepare according to your desired cooking method. For ideas: Air Fryer Salmon, Pan Seared Salmon, Broiled Salmon, or Grilled Salmon.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Store salmon seasoning in an airtight storage container or glass jar for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
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Sign Me UpFrequently Asked Questions
Kept in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place (your spice cabinet should be perfect), salmon seasoning can last up to 6 months.
Blackened Salmon is a specific salmon preparation that uses a spicy mix of spices. The salmon is coated with the spices, then pan-fried so that when the spices touch the heat, they turn dark, “blackening” the salmon. This salmon seasoning is less spicy, and you can use it for any preparation method.
Yes! Not only is this what you should season your salmon with, but it’s also delicious on other types of seafood. Feel free to use your homemade salmon seasoning on other seafood that you enjoy, like Grilled Swordfish or Pan Fried Cod. (Shrimp lovers, don’t miss my Grilled Shrimp Seasoning too.)
In our house, we like to use a variety of cooking methods, as each one has its own benefits. From Grilled Salmon in Foil to Cedar Plank Salmon to Instant Pot Salmon, there’s no one best way to prepare it. Try different methods to keep your cooking fresh and to find your own favorites. Find more salmon recipes here.
If you prefer salmon with a sauce or glaze, try my Honey Glazed Salmon, Balsamic Glazed Salmon, or Soy Ginger Salmon.
Hello today I just found your site I’ve been reviewing it for over half hour. I am interested in how you cook except I have a new challenge I have to eat low sodium can you give suggested recipes with low sodium? Or recipes with no sodium? Thank you very much
Hi Rebecca! I stopped including sodium info because it can vary so much depending upon what products you used, and I found a lot of conflicting info online, so ultimately I didn’t feel comfortable publishing it because sometimes it wasn’t even in the ballpark. If you’d like to calculate it yourself, there are lots of free tools online (myfitnesspal.com is popular). I hope that helps!
Loved this! We used it on grilled salmon. Perfect flavor and I had all the species on hand.
Hi Emily! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Thought this seasoning recipe was very well balanced. My son and daughter both enjoyed it a lot.
Hi Elizabeth! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
OMG the salmon came out delicious!! It gives a unique delicious flavor. Will definitely keep this in my top 3 salmon recipes! I am excited to try more of your recipes. Thank you! :)
Hi Falema! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hi Erin,
I found your website looking for a recipe, and I am so happy I can’t stop looking at it. My challenge with some of the recipes is that I can’t use sugar and I want to make the rub for the salmon. Can I omit the brown sugar from the Salmon rub and use real mustard just for one time recipe? I am looking forward to trying your wonderful recipes.
Thank you in advance for your response.
Leah
Hi Leah! I’ve only tested the recipe as written, you could probably get away with leaving the brown sugar out. Mustard and ground mustard are two different ingredients. One is a liquid the other is a spice. You’ll rub will no longer be a rub but a marinade. I think you’ll enjoy this recipe: https://www.wellplated.com/salmon-marinade/ Let me know how it goes!
no where did I see the amounts of each spice. From the picture it appears you use more brown sugar than the spices, but even the spices don’t seem to be the same amount.
Hi Peggy, I’m so confused, because I see it on my end! The recipe is in the recipe card, right above the area where you commented. You can also click the “jump to recipe” button at the top of the screen to get you there faster. Could you please check again!
Ran out mid meal of the seasoning I usually use so I made this for the other half of the fillets. Didn’t have mustard powder so I used prepared mustard then just painted it on. Everyone loved it more than what we usually use! Those that don’t like salmon came back for more!
Hi Nessa! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!