Sweet & Smoky Salmon Seasoning
On December 26, 2023 (Updated May 10, 2024)
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My homemade Salmon Seasoning is legendary. It is a delicious blend of sweet and savory with a smoky kick to perfectly complement salmon’s light flavor and texture.
Best Seasoning for Salmon
I’ve tried several variations of seasonings, rubs, and marinades for salmon. We’ve enjoyed them all. However, the one recipe we come back to over and over again is this salmon seasoning. There truly is a magical balance of flavors (some of them unexpected) that seems like it was tailor-made for salmon recipes. And because you’re making it at home, you avoid those additives and preservatives you get with store-bought seasonings.
This particular spice blend was made on a whim one Sunday afternoon when people were hungry and the grill was already preheated. Luckily, our guests didn’t question me throwing brown sugar, dried basil, and lime zest together. While the combination may not sound like a great match, the finished result was absolutely stunning.
Ingredients for Salmon Seasoning
Here’s everything you’ll need handy to make this salmon seasoning. The good news is you likely have most or all of the ingredients on hand in your pantry or cupboard already.
- Brown sugar. This is going to add a much desired layer of sweetness to your fish, and a nice texture to your final product.
- Black pepper. I highly recommend cracking some fresh pepper when it’s time to blend your seasoning.
- Sea salt. You want to use a course ground for this recipe. You can also use Kosher salt.
- Dried basil. I’m the first to tell you to use fresh herbs whenever possible, but I recommend dried basil so your seasoning will keep longer.
- Garlic powder. This is going to highlight and add to the natural savory flavor of your salmon.
- Smoked paprika. Along with the actual smoke from your grill, this is how you add that yummy, smoky flavor to your salmon. And unlike the smoke, you can adjust the level to your preference.
- Lime zest. If you’ll be using the seasoning right away, save the lime to squeeze some fresh juice on your finished salmon.
Ways to Use This Seasoning
You might think from the name that this seasoning is only good with salmon, but trust me, it’s great on all sorts of things. It not only pairs great with seafood and veggies, but also proteins, such as chicken, beef, and pork. You can even sprinkle it on fresh popcorn for a tasty treat. Just keep in mind there is brown sugar in this recipe. Because of that I recommend cooking whatever you use it on over indirect heat.
How long does it stay good?
This salmon seasoning stores easily, so you can make it in advance so you have it ready to go when you’re in the mood for salmon. Simply place your mixed seasoning in a glass spice jar, and just like that you’ve got a go-to salmon seasoning for your spice rack. It will remain fresh in your cupboard this way for up to 6 months. It will still be safe to use after that, but will lose some of its zest. At that point, I’d go ahead and mix a new batch.
Grilled Salmon Seasoning
Almost every time we are preparing salmon, we are cooking it outside on our grill. Due to the sugar content in this seasoning, it is best cooked over indirect heat, meaning no flame or coals directly under the salmon. You don’t want that brown sugar to burn before the salmon finishes cooking. (If you need a refresher on cooking with indirect heat, check out my post for How to Cook with Two Zone Grilling.)
I prefer cooking mine on my Camp Chef pellet grill because I get a little extra kiss of smoky flavor that complements this rub perfectly. If you’re cooking on gas or charcoal, simply set up your coals on one half of the grill or only turn on half of your burners. This seasoning also works great for baking your salmon in the oven, just make sure to line a baking sheet with some parchment paper for easy clean up.
Once you have your salmon fillets seasoned, grill or bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. Salmon should be cooked until the internal temperature reads 145 degrees F. The fish should be tender and just starting to flake apart with a fork.
How to Make Salmon Seasoning
This recipe is super easy to prepare. You just need a small bowl and a whisk or fork, and you’re ready to blend the best salmon seasoning you’ll ever have.
- Blend seasoning. In a small bowl, add all of the ingredients for your seasoning and blend them together with a whisk or fork. You want to be sure and break up any clumped ingredients so your blend is even and smooth.
- Enjoy. That’s all there is to it. You can use it right away and get some salmon sizzling on the grill, or place it in a glass spice jar and add it to your spice rack for later use. Pull it out any time you’re ready to make fish, vegetables, or anything else that needs a kick of flavor.
More Flavorful Seasonings
You don’t have to stop at salmon now that you know how easy it is to make your own seasoning. Check out some more of my signature Hey Grill Hey seasoning recipes you can make at home.
- Cajun Seasoning
- Chipotle Seasoning
- Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Mesquite Seasoning
Salmon Seasoning Recipe
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Sweet and Smoky Salmon Seasoning
Video
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- zest of 1 lime
Instructions
- Make the salmon seasoning. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, using a fork or whisk to break up any clumps from the brown sugar. Sprinkle liberally on salmon. One batch will season an entire 2 pound salmon filet. Use immediately.2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon coarse ground sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, zest of 1 lime
- Reserve the zested lime. Bonus advice, reserve the lime you zested for the seasoning and squeeze the juice over the seasoned salmon while you are grilling or roasting it.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**This post was originally published in August 2018. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.
Have been using the recipe as it’s called for the brown sugar. No substitutes,substitutes have more calories more cholesterol more carbs than just using the regular brown sugar than it calls for the lime helps to cut it. I love it!!!
Loved this rub recipe – it was delicious! I made some substitutions just based on what I had on hand. I used Swerve brown sugar instead. I will definitely use this again!! So much healthier than what we normally baste our salmon with.
When you say to use it immediately, is that because of the lime zest? I’m wondering if I could mix the sugar and all the other spices and keep it in a jar for future use. Thanks!
Yes, mostly. That and it’ll clump together pretty easily!
In place of brown sugar use organic brown coconut sugar it’s unrefined and low glycemic it trades one for one with brown sugar. Excellent well balanced rub. I put all the dry ingredients in an old Cormick plastic bottle shaker. I then use the shaker to apply a light coating to the fish and add the zest at the last minute using only as much as I need for my portion.
I see that you grill the fish on indirect heat. What temp, on a gas grill, should other side be on and how long does it take in general. I’m guessing you don’t flip the salmon.
Use an external thermometer and just follow the same directions in the recipe! Should turn out great!
I cook salmon on the stovetop from frozen (thanks to technique from Wild Alaska Seafood Co.) and this rub worked fabulously. Just rinse ice glaze off frozen fillets, brush both sides with high heat veg. oil, place in hot pan skin side up til browned (3-4 min) then flip, sprinkle on the seasoning, cover, lower heat to med. and finish cooking another 6-8 min. If fillet is skinless, sprinkle bottom side before adding to the pan. Looking forward to trying it from fresh on the grill!
what kind of smoking wood for the smoked maple glazed salmon?
Salmon takes on smoke pretty easy so you want a more mild smoking wood. Apple or cherry are great!
Would this work for pan searing the salmon? Thanks!
Absolutely!
I used minced dry garlic bc I didn’t have dried. I cooked it in my air fryer at 390°F for 7-8 mins. SO GOOD! My mother and 2 year old loved it! I paired it with roasted carrots. Thank you!
Heck yeah! Way to nail it!
The whole family loved this! Thanks for recipe.
Awesome! I’m so glad you guys liked it!