Ultimate Blackened Salmon Tacos with Zesty Jalapeño Lime Crema: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
Welcome to the world of extraordinary flavor and effortless cooking! These Blackened Salmon Tacos, generously topped with creamy diced avocados, sweet fresh grilled corn, tangy cotija cheese, and our signature homemade jalapeño lime crema, are a game-changer. Prepare yourself for the best salmon tacos you’ve ever tasted – incredibly simple to make, yet bursting with gourmet appeal.
Why These Blackened Salmon Tacos Will Revolutionize Your Taco Tuesday
If you’ve been searching for a vibrant, flavorful, and surprisingly quick meal to elevate your weekly menu, look no further. Blackened salmon tacos are the culinary revelation we’ve all been waiting for. They’re fast becoming my absolute favorite for #tacotuesdays, and for good reason! This recipe marks my first foray into crafting salmon tacos from scratch with a bespoke blackened seasoning blend, and I can confidently declare: I am never going back to store-bought. Imagine tender, flakey, incredibly flavorful salmon, perfectly seared to achieve that irresistible crispy skin and a rich, spicy crust from a meticulously balanced mix of homemade spices. This, my friends, is love at first bite.
The magic lies in the symphony of flavors and textures. Beyond the robust blackened spices, we’ve incorporated sweet grilled corn, creamy diced avocados, a delicate sprinkling of salty cotija cheese, and the pièce de résistance – the most seductive jalapeño lime crema you’ll ever encounter. And here’s the best part: this entire gourmet-style meal can be whipped up in a mere 30 minutes! Homemade, food truck-quality tacos on a weeknight? Absolutely. Happy bellies undoubtedly lead to happy families, and these tacos are guaranteed to bring smiles all around.
Crafting the Perfect Blackened Salmon: The Homemade Spice Blend
While my blog boasts a variety of beloved salmon recipes, with garlic butter baked salmon being a runaway hit, one preparation I hadn’t truly mastered until now was blackened salmon. Today, that changes! Watch me sizzle up vibrant salmon fillets coated in a homemade blackened seasoning blend, crafted from just a few pantry staples like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This perfectly seasoned, deeply flavorful blackened salmon is unequivocally the star of today’s recipe.
My journey to the ideal blackened seasoning involved a bit of trial and error. Initial attempts at a homemade blend left me wanting, with spice ratios that just weren’t quite right. Through a process of careful adjustments and batch testing, I finally arrived at this incredible blend. It’s not only phenomenal on these salmon tacos but would elevate shrimp, chicken, or even firm white fish to new culinary heights. The beauty of making your own blend is the control you have over the freshness and intensity of each flavor.
What’s in Authentic Blackened Seasoning?
Curious about the magic behind blackened seasoning? My go-to blend features 1 ½ teaspoons of rich smoked paprika, perfectly balanced with equal parts (1 teaspoon each) of earthy cumin, subtly spicy chipotle powder, savory granulated garlic, and a touch of sugar. This base is then rounded out with a hint of aromatic thyme, pungent onion powder, and, of course, essential salt and pepper. The best part? Most, if not all, of these spices are likely already nestled in your pantry, making this a convenient and cost-effective way to achieve incredible flavor.
Tips for Perfectly Seared Blackened Salmon
Just look at that sizzling! Can you almost hear the salmon dancing in the hot oil? That sound signifies the beginning of an incredible meal, filling your kitchen with an enticing aroma and promising a dinner that’s bright, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. The browning of the spices, the slight char, and the tender interior of the fish create an explosion of taste that you have to experience to believe. I’m genuinely thrilled for you to try this recipe – my excitement is practically overflowing!
On a serious note for a moment: the quality of your salmon truly makes all the difference. I always stress this, but it bears repeating. Opt for good quality, wild-caught salmon, such as sockeye or coho, whenever possible. The natural, rich flavors and firm texture of wild-caught fish simply cannot be replicated by farm-raised alternatives. It enhances the entire dish, providing a cleaner taste and superior texture. Once you have your premium salmon, the blackening process is straightforward: pat it dry thoroughly to ensure a crisp crust, coat liberally with your homemade seasoning, and sear in a screaming hot cast iron skillet until a beautiful crust forms and the fish is cooked through. The high heat creates the “blackened” effect, caramelizing the spices and sealing in moisture.
The Secret Weapon: The Seductive Jalapeño Lime Crema
Now, let me introduce you to the creamy, utterly delicious jalapeño lime crema. Folks, this is the stuff culinary dreams are made of – literally. I could float down a lazy river of this jalapeño lime crema and never want to wake up! It’s the perfect cooling, zesty, and subtly spicy counterpoint to the rich, smoky blackened salmon. This crema isn’t just a sauce; it’s an experience.
Creating this dreamy crema is incredibly simple. You’ll combine ½ cup of sour cream and mayo (I recommend ¼ cup of each for the perfect balance of tang and richness), along with 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, 3 heaping tablespoons of fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons of bright lime juice, and 1 whole jalapeño with the seeds and ribs carefully removed to control the heat. Simply blend all these ingredients until wonderfully smooth and creamy. I’m not exaggerating when I say you’ll be tempted to drink this through a straw – it’s that good!
Building Your Dream Taco: The Essential Toppings
When it comes to toppings for these blackened salmon tacos, the possibilities are vast and varied – you can truly customize them to your heart’s content. However, I do have some personal favorites that I believe create the ultimate taco experience. My preferred combination starts with a little nest of crunchy shredded red cabbage, offering a beautiful color and satisfying texture. Next, add freshly grilled corn for a touch of sweetness, creamy diced avocados for richness, and a sprinkle of salty cotija cheese for a tangy kick. A squeeze of fresh lime juice and a hint of chopped cilantro brighten everything up beautifully. You can call these gourmet tacos, California-style fish tacos, or whatever you like, but these ultra-refreshing, fresco-style blackened salmon tacos are quickly becoming a beloved staple in my kitchen and, I predict, in yours too.
I’m absolutely smitten with this recipe. Just the other day, with the hubby out of town, I confess I probably indulged in these fish tacos for almost every meal for three straight days! (Okay, maybe not breakfast, but lunch and dinner were definitely covered!). They’re light, incredibly flavorful, and surprisingly filling, offering everything a girl could ask for in a meal.
Blackened Salmon Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Crema
Ingredients
cilantro lime crema:
- ½ cup sour cream and mayo (I used ¼ cup each)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 jalapeno, seeds and ribs removed
- pinch of salt
blackened salmon:
- 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon EACH: cumin, chipotle powder, granulated garlic, AND sugar
- ¼ teaspoon EACH: thyme AND onion powder
- salt and pepper
- 1 pound wild-caught salmon (such as sockeye or coho)
- 3 tablespoons oil
optional toppings:
- corn or flour tortillas, red cabbage, diced avocados, grilled corn, cotija cheese, lime wedges, chopped cilantro, pickled jalapeños, pickled onions, mexican pickled carrots, black beans, etc.
Instructions
- CILANTRO LIME CREMA: Combine all the ingredients for the crema in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the crema in a dressing bottle or a bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- BLACKENED SALMON: Combine the smoked paprika, cumin, chipotle powder, garlic, sugar, thyme, onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Place the salmon on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut the salmon into smaller pieces. I made filets that were about 1 ½ inches wide. Sprinkle the flesh of the salmon with the blackened seasoning liberally, you may not need all the seasoning. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Drizzle ½ the oil into the pan and place half the salmon filets flesh side down into the skillet. Cook about 2-5 minutes total, turning half way through. The salmon is done with the thickest part feels firm. Fry the second batch of salmon filets. Allow the salmon to rest for 5 minutes. Remove the skin and flake with fork or just dice it.
- ASSEMBLY: Add the red cabbage, blackened salmon, and your favorite toppings to the taco and top with a spoonful of crema. Serve with additional crema on the side.
Notes
- I cut the salmon into smaller filets because it’s easier to control if your piece has varying thicknesses like mine did. You can leave the salmon filet whole if you wish but the cooking time will vary. Leaving the salmon filet whole will take you about 8-12 minutes for cooking time.
Have you made this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I’d love to see what you made!
Nutritional Considerations: Is This a Good Choice for You?
*Please note: The nutritional facts calculated here are an estimate based on the specific ingredients I’ve used. For a more accurate count tailored to your dietary needs, I highly recommend calculating them using the exact ingredients and brands you’ve chosen to prepare the recipe. The provided estimation is for 1/6th of the recipe, which includes approximately 2 tablespoons of sauce and salmon, typically enough to fill two tacos. This nutritional breakdown does NOT include additional toppings or tortillas, as their caloric and macronutrient values will vary significantly depending on your selections. Salmon itself is a fantastic source of lean protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, making these tacos a wonderfully balanced and nutritious meal option when paired with fresh vegetables.
