Blackened Salmon with Pineapple Salsa and Coconut Rice
This post was sponsored by Wild Alaskan Seafood. All opinions expressed here are mine alone.
Blackened Salmon with Pineapple Salsa and Coconut Rice is a healthy, easy blackened salmon recipe that’s on the table in 30 minutes!
I think I might have told you before that I really love seafood? Seafood, especially salmon, is always high on my list of go-to meals.
Not only is it healthy and versatile, it’s so quick and easy to prepare on busy weeknights. My whole family loves it as much as I do, so it happens a minimum of 2 times a week.
Wild Alaska Seafood is a brand of seafood that I trust, and I turn to it for a variety of reasons:
- The cold water and natural environment of Alaska produces seafood with lean flesh, firm texture, and superior flavor that is full of high quality protein, vitamins, minerals and oils essential to good health.
- With five species of salmon, several varieties of whitefish, and numerous shellfish species, Alaska offers mouthwatering seafood options for every taste and cooking method and is available fresh, frozen and canned year round.
- Alaska’s fishing methods are anchored in strict conservation practices as well as the State Constitution, ensuring that the delicious Alaska seafood you enjoy today will be enjoyed for generations to come
- Alaska seafood is high in protein, low in saturated fat, low in sodium and one of the best sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
I love that I can find Wild Alaska Seafood fresh, frozen, or canned. You can choose between scallops, shrimp, halibut, cod, sole, crab, and salmon, to name a few.
I often shop at Costco, and they happen to carry large bags frozen Wild Alaskan Seafood, which are perfect for feeding my family a variety of ways.
Tacos, skewers, rice bowls — you name it, we love it.
I simply thaw out what I need and decide how I want to prepare it. Each and every cooking method is quick and easy, whether you choose to bake it, grill it, broil it, or pan sear it.
We’re talking a healthy, fresh, no-stress meal on the table in under 30 minutes, and there’s nothing better than that my friends.
Salmon is definitely our favorite fish, and I love that it can handle big, bold flavors like this blackened seasoning. The sweet and spicy combination is a favorite of mine, so that’s where the inspiration for this blackened salmon recipe came from.
I couldn’t help but think that a sweet and savory fresh pineapple salsa would be the perfect compliment for the moist, spicy salmon, and it really is.
The coconut rice gives this dish a necessary creamy element that brought all the flavors together.
How to make Blackened Salmon
- Combine the seasoning ingredients, and rub generously over the salmon.
- Place the salmon top side down in a hot non-stick skillet (I used cast iron) until a nice crust forms, then flip and cook it on the other side.
- The salmon is done in all of 5-6 minutes!
How to tell when salmon is done
If you don’t cook with salmon often, you may be wondering how to tell if it’s done. It’s important not to overcook seafood as it will be tough and dry, and we want it to be nice and moist.
Salmon, for instance, does not have to be cooked all the way through. A couple of minutes on each side, depending how thick the fillet is, and you’ll see the white fat begin to render, as in the photo above. That’s a tell tale sign that the salmon is ready to go.
Recipe notes
- To make this a 30 minute meal, get your rice on first, then make the salsa to let it stand and let the flavors meld. Since the fish doesn’t take long, that can be done last so you can serve it up nice and piping hot.
- Substitute the pineapple salsa with your favorite store bought salsa or my homemade guacamole!
- Quick cooking brown rice is the only way to get brown rice done in 30 minutes. If you go white rice, adjust the amount of liquid as stated on the package instructions.
- Buying freshly cut pineapple is a huge timesaver, or cut a fresh pineapple ahead of time and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
Need dinner inspiration? See all of my Main Dish recipes.
More salmon recipes you’ll love:
Smoked salmon breakfast platter
Blackened Salmon
Ingredients
Blackened Seasoning:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Salmon:
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 1/2 lb. salmon fillets skin removed
- 1/2-1 teaspoon blackened seasoning per salmon fillet
- Coconut rice
- Pineapple Salsa
Instructions
Prepare the seasoning:
- Place all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
Prepare the salmon:
- Place 1/2-1 teaspoon of the blackened seasoning on both sides of the fish, depending on how spicy you'd like it. Let stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the rice and salsa.
- Heat the canola oil in a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Place the salmon fillets presentation side down in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until a nice crust is formed and it releases easily from the pan. Gently flip and cook on the other side for another 2-3 minutes, or until the fat begins to render. Remove from heat and keep warm.
- Serve with coconut rice and pineapple salsa. Enjoy!
Notes
- To make this a 30 minute meal, get the rice cooking first, then make the salsa and let stand so the flavors can meld. The salmon can be seasoned next then cooked last so it can be served piping hot!
- Nutrition information does not include the coconut rice and pineapple salsa as that is included in a separate post.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
51 Comments on “Blackened Salmon with Pineapple Salsa and Coconut Rice”
This is a meal we all will love love. Hub enjoys salmon this way. The simplest and easy meals are some of the best.
Pinning this for sure.
I love salmon because it’s always so easy! Thank you, Ash!
That is the exact salmon I buy at Costco too! Gotta go with Wild caught, I just can’t bring myself to eating farm raised. Even though it is much cheaper, it’s worth the extra money to get the good stuff. I love this blackened salmon. So funny, because I’m sharing a similar recipe in a few weeks! But I used mahi mahi. Recipe twins!
I can’t buy farm raised salmon — bleh. You get what you pay for, and I’d rather eat less of the good stuff than more of the bad. Haha we are recipe twins, too — we both posted coconut whipped cream in the same week too! Great minds think alike.
I seriously eat TONS of salmon. I must try this. So fresh and beautiful and I love the spice of anything blackened.
I never get tired of salmon, and I loved it with the blackening seasoning!
I love salmon and pineapple together. Add some avocado to that and you have my ideal dish!
Funny, avocado did cross my mind later!
I seriously love ANYTHING blackened! That rub! That salsa! Loving every little part of this recipe, Marcie!
Sweet and savory with a kick is where it’s at! Thanks, Justine!
This salmon looks incredible .. love everything about this dish.
Thank you, Ella!
What a gorgeous dish! I love salmon so much, especially when it’s paired with a sweet and spicy something. This salsa looks perfect! So great for warmer weather 😉
So light, fresh and delicious! Great and easy way to cook salmon! Love the coconut rice, too 🙂
That salmon is cooked to perfection! We eat a ton of salmon too and the blackened seasoning sounds amazing along with the coconut rice and pineapple salsa! Love everything about this dish!
Salmon is my go-to fish! My husband and I love it and eat it several times a month. I will have to try your recipe, Marcie! It looks fantastic! I’m loving the pineapple salsa. Such a great touch!
This looks delicious! I love salmon recipes!
Yum! I’m totally loving the tropical flavors of the pineapple salsa and the coconut rice! 🙂
This salmon is absolutely gorgeous, Marcie! I’m swooning over that tropical salsa and oh gosh, that coconut rice is the perfect bed of yumminess to serve this salmon on! Hello, weekend dinner. 😀
I love the description of the rice as a bed of yumminess — it was just that, Sarah! Haha. Thanks!
I just LOVE the tropical vibes going on here. YUM! I’m going to have to look for this salmon in the store now!
Thank you, Liz! Nothing puts you in a better mood than fresh, tropical flavors!
Looks so good! I love all the flavors! Salmon is y favorite fish too and I especially like it coated in lots of spices. 🙂
Thank you, Christin! Salmon is the best for handling big flavors!
Salmon is one of my kids’ favorite meals, and I think my family would love this! I love fish with a fresh fruit salsa, and that coconut rice sounds like the perfect accompaniment!
Thank you, Kristine! It’s so nice to have something that everyone likes — I don’t like doing the short order cook thing! Haha
My husband needs to come live with you guys! haha He loves seafood and I can’t stand it … which means I never cook it!!
But I will definitely take some of that coconut rice and salsa!
Your husband is welcome for dinner, and I’ll have something else to serve you! Or the rice and salsa will be enough? Haha.
This salmon looks so fresh and yummy… perfect for a spring dinner!! I’m dying over that pineapple salsa!
Thank you ladies! I love the salsa with plain old chips, too!
very well made dish with well cooked salmon! delicious
Thank you, Kelsey!
Salmon is my very favourite thing to cook mid-week, as it’s so easy … and also easy to make impressive.
This dish of yours is a perfect example of that, Marcie. Every element of this sounds just amazing!
Salmon is just that — it goes from easy to elegant! Thank you, Helen! 🙂
Whoa Baby, this is definitely a meal you could serve when your husband’s boss and wife are coming to dinner.
Very very special. The salsa—-inspired touch.
Thank you, Carol! Salmon is so easy to dress up or down. 🙂
What an incredible dish, Marcie! I have never had blackened salmon before, but after seeing this I definitely need to try it. I have some sitting in my freezer right now. Now I know what to do with it 😉
If you like a nice kick, you’ll like blackened seasoning. I didn’t make it too spicy because of everyone else in the house! Hope you get to try it soon, Danielle! 🙂
I have the hardest time telling if my salmon is cooked through or not, and I almost always end up overcooking it! I will definitely try your technique next time! This looks like such a delicious and simple week-night recipe. Pinned!
I always though salmon had to be cooked all the way, but it’s actually over done if that’s the case. I totally overcooked mine all the time before! Thanks for the pin, Denise! 🙂
I love a good salmon recipe.. considering that I cook it so often! I have to try this blackened salmon version out, it looks very flavorsome, super simple yet delicious too.
Thank you, Thalia! 🙂
Marcie, time must fly…or I am sleeping…because I have no idea how I missed this post. In fact, I was *waiting* to see how you used that Alaskan Salmon – and I almost emailed you saying ‘where’s that post’? Now I see that I missed it entirely and I’m sorry for that. This looks absolutely divine! And, I love that you did a spicy/sweet combo, because it sounds absolutely divine! Pinned!
Don’t apologize — no worries! Thank you for the nice comment and for the pin! 🙂
Salmon is by far, my favorite fish. I love the tropical flavors going on!
Thank you, Jamie! 🙂
Love the colors in this dinner! My kids are just starting to like fish, which means I’m definitely going to be making it more!
I’m so glad my kids love fish — it really makes things easy because it’s always such a quick dinner! Thanks, Julie! 🙂
Oooh, I love salmon…and all of the tropical flavors sound amazing together!!
Oh YUM! We just made salmon yesterday and I remembered how much I love it. Can’t wait to try this!
This was a nice, tropical way to change up salmon…I hope you get to try it soon, Cathy! 🙂