Salmon Seasoning

At a glance

What stands out: 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

We love a good from-scratch seasoning recipe!

This salmon seasoning is a reliable 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 our other from-scratch seasoning recipes. Our 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.
• Speedy and straightforward. It goes without saying that making this salmon seasoning is straightforward—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 Rich Ways To Cook Salmon

Cooking salmon is just as speedy and straightforward as stirring up this rub, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

Not sure how to cook salmon? Start with our best grilled salmon recipe, air fryer salmon, or straightforward baked salmon.

Elaine Said:

“What a great blend of spices! Absolutely loved it on salmon. Can’t wait to try it on on chicken, pork and burgers, too!”

See More Reader Reviews

What goes in

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 it comes together

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 our recipes for broiled salmon, grilled salmon, or baked salmon. You can also use it for air fryer salmon and air fryer salmon bites.

Ways to change it

• 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 our list of 15 straightforward salmon recipes.

Make Ahead/Storage

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

• Yield: 10
• Prep: 5 minutes
• Total: 5 minutes

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

Method

1. In a small bowl or jar, blend together brown sugar and spices until well combined.
2. 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.
3. 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 straightforward to mix this salmon rub just the way you prefer.