Smoked paprika salmon is an easy Mexican salmon recipe that is seasoned, pan-fried (or baked), and served alongside sweet and spicy mango salsa. A quick salmon dinner for busy and hungry weeknights!
About salmon with paprika
Too tired to cook? Are there too many things going on in your life that dinner is the last thing on your mind? I’ve been there several times.
And this is a recipe that spring to my mind when disaster strikes. No, seriously.
This is one of those quick and easy dinner recipes you can make with your eyes closed. I mean, not literally, but you get the point.
Having salmon in my fridge almost always helps tremendously. It cooks incredibly fast, tastes delicious, and requires only mild seasoning with a few ingredients.
It is so versatile that it can be baked (like salmon kabobs and easy pesto crust salmon), pan-fried (brown butter honey garlic salmon) or steamed. Any mode of cooking salmon doesn’t take more than 10 to 15 minutes.
(If you happen to have pomfret at home, make this easy fish curry with coconut that needs just 7 ingredients and 25 minutes.)
Like most of my seafood recipes, this Mexican-style salmon needs only a handful of ingredients with smoked paprika being the dominant flavor.
Smoked paprika is a fine powder with a deep warm red colour. It is made by drying peppers over smoking oak wood for many days.
It has a wonderful smoky, slightly charred savoriness that complements the bold flavor of salmon. Salmon with paprika is more than a match made in heaven!
Season the salmon fillets with paprika rub and splash some lime juice on them before frying/baking. Serve them with simple mango salsa.
Can healthy cooking get easier than this?
A QUICK TIP: Make it a keto spicy salmon by using butter instead of oil for pan-frying.
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Ingredients
(You can find the exact measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this page.)
- Salmon fillets: I like to use small fillets (about 150 gms/ 5.3 oz) that are about 1 to 1-1/4 inch thick.
- Oil: olive oil gives a nice flavor to the salmon and is not overpowering.
- Lime juice or lemon juice: always goes well with seafood.
- Seasoning:
- smoked paprika
- ground cumin
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- black pepper and salt
How to make smoked paprika salmon- step by step
Season the salmon fillets with the spice mix. Squeeze lime juice onto the fillets.
Heat oil in a frying pan and place salmon skin side down into the hot oil. Cook on medium-high flame.
Flip after 2-3 minutes. Cook the other side for about 2-3 minutes until done.
I like my salmon well done, but if you want it cooked rare or medium-rare, reduce the cooking time accordingly.
Fruit salsa to pair with paprika salmon
A simple mango salsa complements the spicy flavors of paprika salmon. (and the taste to effort ratio is appetizingly high!) For the mango salsa, you’ll need
- Ripe mango
- onion
- tomato
- jalapeno or green chillies
- cilantro
- lime juice
- Pink salt or sea salt
Finely chop all ingredients. Remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapenos if you don’t want the salsa spicy. Toss all ingredients together. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Serve smoked paprika salmon with the mango salsa.
Or flake the salmon into chunks and load them onto tortillas with mango salsa and no-mayo cabbage slaw. Drizzle the spicy avocado sauce on top to make tacos or wraps for a healthy dinner.
Variations for paprika on salmon
- If you like more spice in your salmon, add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix.
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried herbs like oregano or dill can be added to the seasoning.
- If you have an avocado, chop finely and add to the mango salsa. (Remember to increase the seasoning: chili, salt and lime juice.)
- Have pineapple at home? Make this pineapple pico de gallo salsa that also works great with the smoked paprika flavor.
How to bake paprika salmon
This salmon recipe can also be baked in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F.
- Season the fillets with the spice mix. Place them in an oven-proof dish or tray.
- Pour lime juice over the fillets and spray olive oil.
- Bake until done for about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Serve with mango salsa.
Common questions
-
Do you cook salmon on both sides?
When you pan-fry salmon, cook skin side down for about 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes more, depending on the thickness of the fillet. Cooking on both sides ensures that the salmon is browned evenly and also perfectly cooked on the inside.
Baking usually cooks the salmon evenly so you don’t have to flip it when you’re baking. -
How do you not overcook the salmon?
A perfectly cooked salmon should be opaque and seared on the outside, and slightly pinkish on the inside. When you cut through the thickest part, the inside should be pink but firm (and not raw and translucent). The key is to bring the salmon to room temperature before cooking. A cold salmon fillet will get either overcooked and rubbery on the outside or undercooked on the inside. Leave it on the kitchen counter for about 15 to 20 minutes before frying.
Another reason salmon gets overcooked is the cooking temperature and time- ensure the oil is hot when you place the salmon (the oil should sizzle) and cook on medium-high flame for about 2-3 minutes each side. If you’re worried the salmon would be undercooked inside, it won’t if you ensure the salmon is at room temperature before cooking. -
Can I use chili powder instead of smoked paprika?
Smoked paprika is a milder spice than chili powder or cayenne pepper. It also has a characteristic savory smokiness that you’ll only get from smoked spices. That is the main flavor that makes this recipe special. In addition to smoked paprika, you can add cayenne pepper for the heat, but try not to replace it with any other spice.
Looking for more?
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Smoked Paprika Salmon Recipe with Mango Salsa
Ingredients
For salmon
- 4 (150 gms/ 5.3 oz) salmon fillets about 1 to 1¼ inch thick
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (or 1 tablespoon if baking the salmon)
Paprika salmon rub
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
For mango salsa
- 1 mango finely chopped
- ½ onion finely chopped
- 1 tomato finely chopped
- 1 small lime juice and zest
- 1 jalapeno/green chilli finely chopped (remove seeds and ribs to reduce spice)
- ¼ cup cilantro finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon pink salt or sea salt
Instructions
How to pan-fry paprika salmon
- Season the salmon fillets with the spice rub. Drizzle lime juice on the fillets.
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan and place the fillets skin side down. (Fry the fillets in batches so you don't overcrowd the pan.)
- Cook on medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. then flip and cook the other side for 2 to 3 minutes.
How to bake paprika salmon
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F.
- Season the salmon and sprinkle lime juice. Place in an oven-proof dish and spray olive oil. Bake in the oven for about 8-10 minutes until your desired doneness. (If you want it well done, bake for 10 minutes.)
How to make mango salsa
- Combine all ingredients and let it sit for 5 minutes. Serve with paprika salmon. Or break the salmon into chunks and serve on tortillas with mango salsa topped with honey mustard coleslaw and spicy avocado sauce.
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Notes
- If you like more spice in your salmon, add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix.
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried herbs like oregano or dill can be added to the seasoning.
- If you have an avocado, chop finely and add to the mango salsa. (Remember to increase the seasoning: chili, salt and lime juice.)
- Have pineapple at home? Swap mango salsa with this pineapple pico de gallo salsa that also works great with the smoked paprika flavor.
★★★★★Did you try this recipe? Please give a star rating in the comments below ★★★★★
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What do you recommend serving as a starch- either placed on top of the salmon fillet, or on the side…?
Hi Sally, thanks for stopping by!
Potatoes, rice or pasta- all go well as a side with this paprika salmon. Some options would be: roasted potatoes and broccoli, potato croquettes or creamy pasta with garlic sauce.
Nice recipe. We all enjoyed every morsel. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Teresa! I’m happy you and your family liked the recipe.
I love mango salsa and the spicing on the salmon is perfect. Such a nice quick and easy meal.
Thanks, Carrie! Happy to hear that!
Love this, I’m a huge fan of fruity salsas with fish and I like the idea of the spice rub too!
Thanks, Chloe! This is one of the family favorites!
I’ve never thought to add paprika to salmon before now this looks like a wonderful recipe to try. I particularly love the idea of theango salsa to accompany it.
Thank you, Rebecca! Yes, mango salsa really elevates the flavors of the salmon dish.