This Salmon Seasoning features a delightful blend of sweetness, smokiness, and a touch of saltiness. With only five straightforward ingredients, it can be quickly prepared and provides phenomenal herbaceous flavors that you’ll love.
Recipe Details
I love this Salmon Seasoning because it imparts an outstanding flavor to the fish, no matter the cooking method. It’s also incredibly practical as it has a long shelf life, which means I can prepare several batches in advance for later use.
- TASTE: This Salmon Seasoning balances sweet, smoky, and salty elements, while the earthy thyme and zesty black pepper offer a memorable kick.
- TEXTURE: The coarser sea salt introduces a slight graininess, yet it dissolves easily when applied to your salmon prior to cooking.
- TIME: This seasoning can be crafted in just a few minutes.
- EASE: Simple and straightforward, this seasoning makes use of everyday pantry items and stays fresh for a minimum of a year.
What You’ll Need

Ingredient Notes
- Brown sugar- Provides a rich sweetness that enhances the other flavors.
- Smoked paprika- This spice infuses a deep, smoky flavor derived from peppers dried over open flames.
- Thyme- Recognized for its earthy and herbal characteristics, thyme adds a gentle peppery taste.
- Sea salt- Its flaky nature enables quick dissolution, meaning less salt is needed for full flavor.
- Black pepper- Imparts a subtle heat.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Increase the salt- Modify the saltiness according to your preference.
- Incorporate onion or garlic- Granulated onion or garlic powder can enhance the seasoning’s flavor.
- Omit brown sugar- You may skip the sugar if you’re avoiding it or reducing carbs.
- Include cayenne pepper- Add a bit of cayenne for some heat.
How to Make Salmon Seasoning
- Mix the spices in a bowl. In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, thyme, smoked paprika, and brown sugar.
- Blend thoroughly. Employ a fork or small whisk to ensure the ingredients are well mixed. Store or apply to your salmon before cooking.
Pro Tip: This recipe yields around 3 tablespoons of seasoning (enough for an entire 2-pound salmon fillet).
Recipe Tips
- Make sure your brown sugar is fresh- Using dried out, hard brown sugar will not blend well with the other spices. Choose soft brown sugar that has a texture similar to wet sand.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste- This rub has a mild saltiness; you will likely need to add additional salt to your salmon before applying the seasoning.
- Proper storage matters- Store the seasoning in an airtight container to keep it fresh and avoid the sugar from hardening. Keep it in a cool, dry place to maintain its flavor.
FAQs
This recipe features a mixture of paprika and thyme, alongside salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Additionally, salmon goes well with numerous seasonings including dill, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, cumin, cayenne pepper, and oregano.
The best time to season salmon is just before cooking, whether you plan to grill, bake, or air fry it. Allowing a salty seasoning to sit on the fish for too long can cause the salt to break down the proteins and dry it out.




Serving Suggestions
This homemade salmon seasoning is incredibly flavorful and enhances any meal. Use it to elevate your favorite salmon dishes and serve with grains, pasta, vegetables, or salads.
- Grains: Serve salmon on a bed of Wild Rice, Quinoa Fried Rice, or Wild Brown Rice.
- Vegetables: Pair it with Sautéed Garlic Asparagus, Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or Air Fryer Corn on the Cob.
- Pasta: Enjoy it next to Tri Color Pasta Salad (VIDEO), Asparagus Pasta, Easy Pasta Primavera, or Easy Penne Alla Vodka.
- Salads: Complement with a Spinach Salad, Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Avocado Corn Salad, or Chicken Salad With Grapes.
Prepare This Recipe Ahead of Time
Make ahead: This seasoning blend can be prepared in advance and stored in a jar, ziplock bag, or airtight container until you are ready to use it.
Storing: Maintain this seafood seasoning in an airtight container kept in a cool, dry area; it can remain fresh for up to a year.
Freeze: For extended storage, transfer the seasoning mix into a ziplock freezer bag and keep in the freezer, where it can last for about two years.
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Comprehensive Recipe Instructions









































