Salmon Seasoning Recipe

This salmon seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices that creates the perfect sweet and savory flavor for salmon and other types of seafood. A pantry staple that takes just minutes to put together and tastes so much better than store bought spice rubs!

I prefer to make my own seasonings whenever possible as they’re easy to make and taste amazing. Some of my favorites include Jamaican jerk seasoning, steak seasoning, Cajun seasoning and this flavor packed salmon seasoning.

A jar of salmon seasoning with salmon, lemon wedges and parsley in the background.

I prepare salmon at least once a week as it’s healthy, readily available, and my whole family enjoys it. When I need a super quick meal, I sprinkle my homemade salmon seasoning over a fish fillet, pop it in then oven, and dinner is ready in a flash!

Salmon seasoning ingredients

Bowls of various herbs and spices to make seasoning.

This spice mix contains a number of ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, or can be readily located at any grocery store.

Brown Sugar: This seasoning blend is not designed to be overly sweet, but the brown sugar really enhances the flavor of the spices and provides a counter balance to the salt.
Paprika: My spice rub uses both sweet paprika and smoked paprika for maximum flavor.
Pepper: I recommend using freshly ground black pepper, as it has a lot more flavor than the pre-ground pepper.
Salt: Use kosher salt, as it does not have the same harsh taste as regular table salt.
Garlic Powder: Garlic is a must-have when it comes to adding flavor to any type of protein!
Onion Powder: I pair the onion powder with garlic powder for a greater depth of flavor.
Mustard Powder: A bit of dry mustard works beautifully with the brown sugar and spices.
Herbs: I use a dried Italian herb seasoning blend because it contains a number of herbs all in one bottle. If you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, you can mix together equal parts of dried oregano, dried parsley, dried basil and dried thyme.

How do you make salmon seasoning?

Start by placing all of the herbs, spices and seasonings in a medium bowl. Stir everything together until it’s well combined. Use the seasoning right away, or pour it into a jar or airtight container for later use. Rub the spice blend all over your salmon, then bake, saute or grill as desired.

Step by step process shots showing how to make salmon seasoning.

Tips for the perfect spice blend

Don’t be tempted to omit or substitute for the smoked paprika. The smoked version adds a ton of flavor and is readily available in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.
This rub can be used on other types of seafood and meat such as swordfish, halibut, shrimp, chicken and pork tenderloin. It also works well on roasted vegetables or potatoes.
Serve your cooked salmon with a sprinkle of parsley, dill, rosemary or other fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice for even more flavor.
Use 2 tablespoons of rub per pound of salmon. It works well for both salmon fillets as well as salmon steaks.
You can turn this rub into a marinade by combining 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 teaspoons honey and 2 tablespoons of seasoning.

A bowl of seasoning mixed together with a spoon in it.

Recipe FAQs

What spices go well with salmon?

Salmon has a pronounced flavor and meaty texture, which means that it pairs beautifully with stronger flavors including herbs, lemon, garlic, paprika, mustard and even chili powder.

What is the most popular way to cook salmon?

I typically pan sear, bake or grill my salmon. These three methods are simple, fast and easy. Other options include using a broiler, air fryer, Instant Pot, or you can even poach or steam your salmon.

How long will salmon seasoning stay fresh?

This seasoning will stay fresh in a sealed container at room temperature for 4 months. I often make a double or triple batch so that I always have some on hand.

What can I put on salmon to make it taste better?

Salmon tastes best with simple preparations, such as this seasoning blend, a squeeze of lemon juice, butter, fresh garlic or fresh herbs.

When should you season your salmon?

You can season your salmon right before cooking it, or else rub the seasoning mix into the flesh of the salmon and let it sit in the fridge for 4-6 hours to let the spices permeate the fish.

Salmon fillet baked with salmon seasoning served with couscous and green beans.

Flavor Variations

While this spice blend is delicious as-is, you can add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your personal tastes.

Spicy Rub: Add up to 1/2 teaspoon of either cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or ground chipotle pepper to the mix.
Garlic Delight Seasoning: Double the amount of garlic powder in the recipe for an extra kick.
Mexican Style Rub: Add 2 teaspooons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin and 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander to the spice blend.

I always have a jar of salmon seasoning in my pantry to turn ordinary fish into a spectacular meal!

More seasoning blends to try

Salmon Seasoning Video

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