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4.50 from 4 votes

Spice-Rubbed Salmon

Smoky and sweet with a bit of heat, this Spice-Rubbed Salmon is the perfect quick and easy nutritious weeknight dish.  It's packed with flavor and can be made in about 15 minutes!  This dish can be made on the grill, in the oven, on the stove top or in the air fryer!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Total Time13 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 275kcal
Author: Dr. Sonali Ruder

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Pat the salmon dry. To make the dry rub, mix the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, sugar, and salt together in a small bowl. Brush each salmon filet with ½ teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle about ½ tablespoon of the dry rub on top, patting it onto the salmon so that it adheres.
  • To grill the salmon on a grill:
    Heat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan over medium high heat. Brush the grill rack well with oil. Place the salmon on the grill, seasoned side down and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook another 3-5 minutes to desired doneness.
  • To bake the salmon in the oven:
    Preheat oven to 400°F. Place the salmon on an oiled sheet pan and bake in the oven 10-15 minutes until it reaches desired doneness.
  • To cook the salmon on the stove:
    Heat a nonstick skillet on the stove over medium high heat and spray with olive oil. Place the salmon in the pan, seasoned side down and cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook another 3-5 minutes to desired doneness.
  • To cook the salmon in an air fryer:
    Heat an air fryer to 400°F. Spray or brush the rack with olive oil. Add the salmon to the air fryer in a single layer. Cook 6-10 minutes to desired doneness.

Notes

Serve this salmon with your favorite side dish or top it with a fresh salsa like my Mango Salsa, Strawberry Jalapeño Salsa or Chipotle Corn Salsa.

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 868mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 517IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg