This blackened salmon tacos recipe will help you prepare one of the most delicious Taco Tuesday dishes we know.
Fish tacos are an original Mexican dish, and this version is a modern take on the North American flavors. It’s hearty and filling, but— like all flavor-packed dishes— will take a bit of effort.
The only real challenge after that is not to overindulge in this flavorful salmon taco dish.
Are Blackened Salmon Tacos Healthy?
Yes, a blackened salmon taco can be a rich source of healthy fats and protein.
Salmon is replete with omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered to be essential. This means the body cannot produce these fats, but they are important in functions that lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, dementia, and Alzheimer’s.
In cases of heart disease, the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can lower inflammation. This reduces blood clotting to prevent issues such as heart attacks.
Fatty fish, in general, has been shown to protect brain health. One study involved participants over 65 years of age.
It was shown that their mental clarity declined at a slower rate with more regular fish consumption. Thus, you may want to move from fish Taco Tuesdays to fish tacos every day and decrease the risk of problems such as memory loss.
What Is the Difference Between Grilled and Blackened Salmon?
To make grilled salmon, you first have to season it with salt, pepper, and any herbs of choice. Next, you place the salmon onto a heated grill rack.
From there, you cook it, flipping to ensure it’s cooked through until the salmon is medium-rare. Here’s a pretty simple fish cook that illustrates how to grill salmon.
Meanwhile, typical blackened salmon recipes require dredging the fish in melted butter before coating it with cajun or creole seasoning. Cajun spice seasoning is typically made with cayenne pepper, paprika, black pepper, garlic, and oregano.
After coating, fry the fish in oil as it toasts while cooking.
Blackened Salmon Seasoning
Our blackened salmon seasoning closely resembles that of traditional cajun seasoning. It consists of cayenne, paprika, cumin, Mexican spice mix, chili and garlic powders, and salt.
It has a peppery flavor base to lend a spicy kick, with delicate aromas that set off an enormous appetite! You can enjoy this cajun seasoning with salmon as well as other meats like chicken.
You can check out our baked and crusted salmon with cheese, this easy maple glazed salmon recipe, and our roasted salmon with lemon for other ways to season salmon. They’re excellent examples of how flexible you can get when it comes to flavoring salmon.
How to Make Blackened Salmon Tacos
Step 1: Start by dividing the salt, oil, and lime juice in half.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix chili powder, Mexican spice mix, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, one half of the salt, and one half of the oil. Marinate the fish with this mixture.
Step 3: Meanwhile, in another bowl, mix avocado, mango, red onion, and one half of the lime juice to make a salsa.
Step 4: In a pan over medium heat, use the remaining oil to sear the fish until it’s brown. Remove the fish from the pan and remove the skin.
Step 5: To make the sauce, mix sour cream, lime zest, remaining lime juice, and remaining salt in a bowl until well combined and smooth.
Step 6: Bake tortillas.
Step 7: Shred the salmon and add onto the tortilla together with the salsa, jalapeno, and coriander. Pour the sauce on top.
Step 8: Serve.
Sauce for Blackened Salmon
While blackened salmon and tacos are a mouthwatering combination, the sauce is the creamy agent that binds the flavors together. In this recipe, a sour cream and lime mix imparts fresh essence to give a zesty edge to the salmon.
The salmon and sauce theme rings true through other recipes like this salmon recipe with piccata sauce and our meuniere sauce for salmon. You can even add these to your saucy collection of dishes!
Cooking Frozen Salmon
It’s not often you forget to take out that piece of frozen salmon from the freezer. But don’t worry- even a frozen piece of salmon can give you the best-tasting pan fried salmon you’ve ever had.
Heat the center of the frozen salmon to the right temperature. To do this, start by cooking it flesh side down so the heat cooks it right through.
If the flesh flakes when you scrape it with a fork, that means it’s ready to serve. Just like that, you have another quick and easy weeknight dinner.
For more delicious dishes, please see a few more of our salmon recipes. They include the perfect summer meal, a traditional Hawaiian dish, and tips on how to make scrumptious salmon burgers!
You can also use frozen salmon in this blackened salmon tacos recipe. You only need to ensure it cooks to an internal temperature of 145°F.
How to Defrost Salmon
A less rushed approach involves preparing the salmon by defrosting it. Leave it to thaw in the refrigerator for anywhere between 1 and 24 hours.
Salmon doesn’t take long to defrost, but you can leave it in the fridge if you are out all day.
What Goes Well with Blackened Salmon
Here are some pairings we found to go well with blackened salmon tacos in this recipe.
1. Mango Salsa
Blackened salmon with mango salsa is an excellent sweet and savory pair. Mango enhances the dish with fresh flavors that keep you begging for another bite.
We added mango salsa to our blackened salmon tacos and were blown away by how vibrant it made the dish.
2. Cabbage Slaw
Cabbage slaw and blackened salmon is a pair that adds vinegary flavor and crunchy texture to the dish. We didn’t include it in this recipe, but if you do, let us know how much you enjoyed it!
Quick and Easy Salmon Recipes:
- Simple Poached Salmon With Dill
- Crispy Pan Seared Salmon
- The Perfect Broiled Salmon
- Miso Sauce Recipe for Fish
- Easy Teriyaki Salmon
Blackened Salmon Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 18 oz boneless salmon
- 8 6-inch corn tortillas
- 1/2 tsp salt divided
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 2 tsp lime juice divided
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp Mexican spice mix
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin ground
- 1/4 tsp cayenne powder
- 5 oz avocado cubed
- 6 oz mango cubed
- 1 1/2 oz red onion chopped
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1/2 oz jalapeno
- 1/2 cup coriander roughly chopped
- 1/4 tsp black pepper garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 150°F. Start by splitting the salt, oil, and lime juice in half.
- In a small bowl, mix chili powder, Mexican spice mix, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, cumin, 1/4 tsp salt, and 3/4 tbsp oil. Marinate the fish with this mixture for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in another bowl, mix avocado, mango, red onion, and 1 tsp lime juice to make the salsa.
- In a pan over medium heat, use the remaining 3/4 tbsp oil to sear the fish for 8 minutes until it’s brown. Remove the fish from the pan and discard the skin.
- To make the sauce, mix sour cream, lime zest, remaining 1 tsp lime juice, and remaining 1/4 tsp salt in a bowl until well combined and smooth.
- Bake tortillas for 5 minutes.
- To assemble, shred the salmon and add the pieces onto the tortillas together with the salsa, jalapeno, and coriander. Pour the sauce on top.
- Serve.
Nutrition
FAQ
1. How Many Calories Are in Blackened Salmon Tacos?
This blackened salmon taco dish contains 490 calories per serving. Most of these calories come in the form of protein.
This means one serving leaves you feeling full for hours, preventing you from munching on empty calories laced with sugars.
2. Can You Freeze Blackened Salmon Tacos?
Yes, you can freeze the cooked fish from blackened salmon tacos. Cool the fish down and transfer it into a Tupperware or any airtight, freezer-safe container, and store in the freezer.
To reheat, leave it in the refrigerator to thaw. After that, place it on a pan and reheat in the oven until warm through the center.
3. How Long Do Blackened Salmon Tacos Last?
You can store frozen salmon for up to 6 months without losing its quality. However, for the complete blackened salmon tacos dish, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
In this recipe, fresh mango and avocado may cause the dish to lose its quality faster. To store safely, cover the blackened salmon tacos and keep them tucked away in the refrigerator until ready to use.
This meal pairs well with a light side dish like guacamole dip. Here are the nutrition facts for the whole meal:
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