What Seasoning to Put on Salmon (18 Best Options)

Salmon is such a versatile fish that it can be prepared in thousands of different ways.

It can be grilled, fried, or baked.

You can serve it with rice, potatoes or pasta.

But what’s the best way to season your salmon?

The best way to season your salmon is with salt and pepper. If you want to add a little bit of extra flavor, try some lemon pepper or cayenne pepper. The thing about salmon is that it has such a fishy taste that you don’t need to use much seasoning at all.

What Seasoning to Put on Salmon?

There are many different ways to season your salmon. You can make a simple seasoning mixture by combining salt and pepper, but this will only give you a bland taste. If you want more flavor, try adding lemon juice or capers to the mix before cooking it.

You can also use other types of citrus fruits like oranges or grapefruit for extra flavor!

If you don’t want to add lemon juice or other citrus fruits to your salmon then there are other options available.

For example, if you want something spicy then try adding cayenne pepper or hot sauce instead of just salt and pepper!

Another option is using fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme instead of using just salt and pepper; this gives the dish an earthy taste that goes well with the fish itself!

Still looking for seasonings?

Then keep scrolling!

Curry powder

A staple of Indian cuisine, curry powder is a blend of spices like turmeric, coriander seed, cumin seed, fenugreek seed and black pepper.

It’s often used in curries and stews because it adds a bit of heat without being overpowering—and it goes well with both fish and chicken dishes!

Ras el hanout

This Moroccan spice mix is made up of over thirty different spices and ingredients including cumin seed, cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks (among others).

Ras el hanout has an earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with seafood—especially salmon!

Saffron

This spice packs a powerful punch and is often used as an accompaniment to fish and seafood. Saffron has a warm, earthy flavor and gives food a vibrant yellow color.

Saffron can be found in the spice aisle of grocery stores or online at Amazon or other retailers.

To use saffron, add about 1/4 teaspoon of ground saffron to 1 tablespoon boiling water; let sit for 5 minutes before adding it to your recipe for best results.

Fennel

Like saffron, fennel is also a popular addition to fish dishes—especially when paired with lemon juice and white wine.

Fennel has an herbaceous aroma that pairs well with salmon and provides an earthy flavor that complements other ingredients such as lemon juice or vinegar in vinaigrettes or marinades.

Look for whole fennel seeds at your local grocery store or health food store (or buy them online).

Chili powder (ground)

Chili powder is a spice made from grinding dried chili peppers.

It’s used in many different cuisines and can be found in the spice section of your local grocery store.

Chili powder is a great seasoning option for salmon because it has a bold flavor that pairs well with fish.

You can use it to season the outside of your salmon before cooking or sprinkle it on top after cooking for an added layer of flavor.

Paprika (sweet, smoked)

Paprikas are varieties of peppers that are dried and ground into powders.

These powders are often used in Hungarian or Spanish cuisine to add a sweet smoky flavor to dishes—and they make an excellent addition to any meal!

To season your salmon with paprika, simply sprinkle some over the top after you’ve cooked it and enjoy!

Salt and pepper

We know you’ve heard this one before, but seriously: salt and pepper are an unbeatable combination when it comes to seasoning your fish.

They bring out flavors in different ways (salt brings out the savory, while pepper brings out the spice), and they’re just so easy!

Just sprinkle some on your fish fillet before you bake it or grill it—and voila! You’ve got yourself a tasty meal.

Parsley

Parsley is a classic addition to almost every kind of fish—especially fish that needs a little more color added to it, like salmon!

Parsley’s bright green hue will help your salmon look extra fresh and delicious when it comes out of the oven (which can be especially important if you’re serving this dish at a dinner party).

Dill weed

Dill weed is a great seasoning for salmon because it adds a crunchy, refreshing taste to the fish.

It also helps to cut through the richness of the fish, making it more palatable and easier to digest.

Dill weed can be found in most grocery stores and is usually sold in dried form or as an oil infused with the herb.

Add 1 tbsp of dill weed per pound of salmon before cooking.

Garlic powder

Garlic powder is another great seasoning for salmon because it adds a savory flavor that goes well with fish and seafood.

Garlic powder can be found in most grocery stores and is usually sold in dried form or as an oil infused with the herb.

Add 1 tsp of garlic powder per pound of salmon before cooking.

Lemon Pepper Seasoning Mix

You can use this on any kind of fish, but it’s especially good on salmon because it complements the fish’s natural flavor without overpowering it.

When you’re making this seasoning mix at home, just make sure that you use fresh lemon zest and fresh black pepper—the flavor will be better if you do!

Just remember that when you’re cooking with this seasoning, it might make your kitchen smell like lemon-pepper seasoning for a while afterward, so keep that in mind if there are people who don’t like that smell!

Cayenne Powder or Red Pepper Flakes

If you’re looking for something a little more spicy and flavorful than lemon pepper, try cayenne powder or red pepper flakes!

These will add some serious heat to your dish, so use them sparingly if you don’t want things too spicy.

Sriracha

Sriracha is a popular hot sauce that’s made from chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and salt.

It’s got a pretty thin consistency, so it’s easy to spread on your salmon and get a good amount of flavor on there.

You can find it at most grocery stores or Asian markets, but if you don’t have any in your pantry already, we recommend getting some ASAP!

Thyme

Next up is thyme!

Thyme is a fragrant herb that can be used fresh or dried (we recommend using fresh thyme).

To make this seasoning, simply sprinkle some fresh thyme onto your salmon before cooking it—that’s it!

If you want more flavor than just thyme alone can provide, try adding some salt or pepper as well.

Ground cumin

Ground cumin is the seed of a plant in the parsley family.

It’s a popular spice in Middle Eastern and Indian cooking, where it’s used to season meat, fish, and vegetables.

Cumin pairs well with salmon because it has a sweet and nutty flavor that complements the fish without overpowering it.

It can be used as a rub on the outside of salmon fillets before grilling or pan-frying them or as a rub or marinade for whole fish before they’re baked or grilled.

You can buy ground cumin at most grocery stores, but if you want to make your own at home, just grind up some seeds using a mortar and pestle (or spice grinder).

Store any leftover ground cumin in an airtight container so that the aromas don’t escape into your pantry!

Ginger Powder

Salmon is one of the tastiest fish around, but sometimes you want to spice it up a little.

That’s where ginger powder comes in. It’s easy to make and can add a lot of flavor to your salmon.

What is Ginger Powder?

Ginger powder is made from ginger root that’s been dried, ground up into a fine powder, and then sifted through a screen to remove any lumps or clumps.

It has a strong, spicy flavor that goes well with seafoods like salmon and tuna, chicken, pork and beef dishes, as well as curries and stir-fry recipes.

How Do You Use Ginger Powder?

You can use ginger powder just like any other spice – sprinkle it over your food before cooking or add it while cooking for more intense flavor.

A little goes a long way so start slowly if you’re not used to using it!

Sea salt

Sea salt is made from evaporated sea water and is rich in minerals.

It has a clean, mineral flavor that makes it perfect for seasoning foods like fish, chicken, and vegetables.

You can buy sea salt at the grocery store or online.

How Do I Use Sea Salt?

Simply sprinkle some sea salt on top of your food dish before serving!

You can also add some to your cooking water while cooking if desired (be careful not to over-salt).

Some people prefer more coarsely ground sea salts, which they use as a finishing touch after they’ve cooked their food.

This is especially good if you want an extra-crispy crust on your salmon fillet!

Mustard Powder

Mustard powder is a seasoning that can be used for all sorts of dishes, but it particularly shines when paired with salmon.

It adds a little bit of spice and a lot of flavor to the fish, making it taste like it came straight from the sea!

And you don’t even need to add much of it: just a sprinkling over the top will do.

That means you can keep the rest of your ingredients simple—just cook up some veggies, add some rice or potatoes if you want something starchy, and dinner is done!

You can use mustard powder on its own or as part of a blend. It has a strong flavor and will help your salmon stand out, but don’t overdo it—there are other spices that pair well with this, like turmeric or paprika.