Blackened Salmon Sandwich!  A succulent crispy crusted, cajun spiced, salmon fillet tucked into a toasted bun with fresh greens, cucumber, red onion, drizzled with creamy Dilly Ranch Dressing.

Blackened Salmon Sandwich!  A succulent crispy crusted, cajun spiced, salmon fillet tucked into a toasted bun with fresh greens, cucumber, red onion, drizzled with creamy Dilly Ranch Dressing.

This Blackened Salmon Sandwich comes together in a snap and is such a delicious way to enjoy salmon!  It is an equally elegant meal for lunch or dinner.

Zesty cajun seasoning coats the outside of the salmon and forms a crispy crust keeping the salmon tender and moist on the inside.

We tossed fresh lettuces, spinach, microgreens, and dill with our addicting Dilly Ranch Dressing (for dairy-free use Creamy Herby Hemp Dressing) and layered the dressed greens on a toasty bun with the blackened salmon, red onion and cucumber.

This sandwich is fresh and crunchy with an irresistible delicious tang!  For a low-carb option, skip the bun and make it into a salad!

TIP: To save time, make the Dilly Ranch dressing and Cajun Seasoning ahead.  If you are feeling ambitious, making these flavorful quick sourdough buns just makes it that much more special.  They are easier than you may think!

Blackened Salmon Sandwich!  A succulent crispy crusted, cajun spiced, salmon fillet tucked into a toasted bun with fresh greens, cucumber, red onion, drizzled with creamy Dilly Ranch Dressing.

What is Blackened?

Blackening is a technique originating from New Orleans and basically means pan-seared with a coating of Cajun Seasoning until the spices are toasty and crisp.  Rusty-colored paprika is a main component of the cajun spice recipe. When the spices are seared, or blackened, they turn a deep burgundy color that is almost black.

 

Ingredients in Blackened Salmon Sandwiches

Ingredients for the sandwich

How to Make a Blackened Salmon Sandwich

Step One: Prep your sandwich sides

Make the Dilly Ranch Dressing or the Creamy Herby Hemp Dressing

dilly ranch dressing

Make the Cajun Seasoning Recipe (or use store-bought).

cajun spice recipe

Optional: Make Quick Sourdough Buns (we shaped these slightly rectangular to fit the shape of the salmon) or use store-bought buns.

How to make Sourdough Buns with leftover over sourdough starter that are light and airy (like a brioche bun)  in about 2 1/2 hours from start to finish, with only 20 minutes of hands-on time. 

Step Two:  Blacken the Salmon

Let salmon sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.

Start your pan heating.  Pat the salmon dry and lightly coat with olive oil.  Sprinkle cajun seasoning onto the fillet, coating thoroughly and press the spice into the fish to help it adhere.  Immediately place the salmon on the pan.

It is important to cook immediately once you season the fish with the spice mix as the spices and salt will draw the moisture out of the salmon as it sits.  The goal is to lock those juices inside to keep the fish succulent and tender.

Using skinless salmon allows you to coat both sides of the fillet for more crusty goodness and flavor!

spice rubbed salmon

How to Blacken Salmon in a nutshell:

  1. Remove fillets from the fridge and leave at room temp for 20 minutes.
  2. Heat up the skillet to medium-high heat.
  3. Pat the salmon dry and lightly brush with olive oil.
  4. Season the salmon with Cajun Spice.
  5. Add oil to the hot pan and place the salmon on.  Cook about 4 minutes on each side without moving it!  Don’t interrupt the magical searing process.

seared blackened salmon

Assemble your sandwich:

  1. Toss your greens in a bowl with dressing.
  2. Toast the bun.
  3. Layer on salmon, cucumber, onion and greens.
  4. Serve with extra dressing on the side.

Blackened Salmon Sandwich!  A succulent crispy crusted, cajun spiced, salmon fillet tucked into a toasted bun with fresh greens, cucumber, red onion, drizzled with creamy Dilly Ranch Dressing.

What to serve with Blackened Salmon Sandwiches

 

More Salmon recipes you may enjoy

Enjoy!

~Tonia

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Blackened Salmon Sandwich!  A succulent crispy crusted, cajun spiced, salmon fillet tucked into a toasted bun with fresh greens, cucumber, red onion, drizzled with creamy Dilly Ranch Dressing.

Blackened Salmon Sandwich

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Tonia | Feasting at Home
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Sandwich
  • Method: pan-seared
  • Cuisine: Cajun

Description

Blackened Salmon Sandwich!  A succulent crispy crusted cajun spiced salmon fillet tucked into a sourdough bun with fresh greens and drizzled with Dilly Ranch.


Ingredients

Scale

Cajun Spice Seasoning


Instructions

  1. Let salmon sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes. This will help the fish cook evenly.
  2. Make the Cajun Seasoning, stirring to combine.
  3. Make the Dilly Ranch Dressing(or use store-bought ranch)
  4. Blacken the Salmon: Start heating a pan (cast iron or carbon steel work great) to medium-high.  Meanwhile, pat the salmon dry and lightly coat with olive oil.  Sprinkle cajun seasoning onto the filet, coating thoroughly about 2 teaspoons per piece.  Press the spice into the fish to help it adhere.  To the warmed pan add 1-2 teaspoons of high heat oil, avocado oil is great. Immediately place salmon on the pan, seasoning side down.  Leave it alone, no fiddling!  About 4 minutes, flip over and cook for another 3-6 minutes. This will depend on the thickness of your filets.
  5. Assemble your sandwich: Toss your greens in a bowl with dressing.  Toast the bun.  Layer on salmon, cucumber, onion and greens.  Serve with extra dressing on the side.

Notes

Feel free to make the Cajun Seasoning, Dilly Ranch Dressing and Buns ahead!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: For the Cajun Salmon Only
  • Calories: 137
  • Sugar: 0.1 g
  • Sodium: 124.5 mg
  • Fat: 6.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 1 g
  • Fiber: 0.7 g
  • Protein: 19.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 43.5 mg

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Comments

    1. It is at it’s best served right away to get the tender crispy texture. Reheating can over cook the salmon. It may be ok cold? Let us know if you try it.

  1. The cajun seasoning recipe is wonderful and will use it from now on. We had it as a salad rather then a sandwich. Favorite recipe, thank you






  2. I made this salmon tonight. It was delicious, even with the modifications I had to make because I have significant dietary restrictions. Sylvia, I am appreciating your recipes even more as I work within my restrictions. Your recipes are so flavorful that I can quite easily modify and still make a flavorful dish. Very gratefull!






    1. Thanks Deb. It makes us so happy these recipes are working for you and supporting your health!

  3. I made this salmon today, but added my own salad. It was super delicious, and my whole family enjoyed it. The Cajun seasoning is super easy to make. Definitely a recipe to save and make it part of our to-go dinners.






  4. My husband absolutely lives this sandwich. I love that I can also have it with tofu. Win win! We love the dilly ranch which has become a staple in our house. Oh and it’s healthy!!!!!






  5. Made this last night for supper and oh my goodness! Delicious! Ours was a deconstructed sandwich with salad on the bottom topped by luscious blackened salmon, Dilly dressing, quick pickled red onion and a side of my homemade sourdough buns! The coriander seeds in the pickled onions were a pop of joy! The salmon was juicy and crisp – perfectly done. Thank you for these easy to follow gourmet recipes.






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