Description
Cajun Salmon with Mango Salsa is a bold, sweet-and-spicy 30-minute dinner featuring blackened salmon, juicy mango salsa, and fluffy rice. It’s fresh, vibrant, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want something impressive but easy.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 2 (4–6 ounce) salmon filets
- 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Marinade
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons spice blend (from above)
Mango Salsa
- 2 ripe yellow mangoes, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
For Serving
- 1 cup cooked white or jasmine rice
- ½ avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup chipotle aioli (optional)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, ginger, cayenne, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, and 2 teaspoons of the spice blend.
- Place salmon in a shallow dish and pour marinade over the top. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- While the salmon marinates, combine diced mango, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Stir and set aside.
- Remove salmon from marinade. Sprinkle remaining spice blend evenly over the salmon and gently press into the surface.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place salmon skin side up and cook 4–6 minutes. Flip and cook another 4–6 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve salmon over rice. Top generously with mango salsa, avocado slices, and a squeeze of fresh lime. Add chipotle aioli if desired.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, flip the salmon one more time at the end to blacken the top.
- If using frozen salmon, thaw completely and pat dry before marinating.
- Pineapple can be substituted for mango in the salsa.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon bowl
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg