American · Main course · 1 h

Cajun Blackened Salmon

Name: Cajun Blackened Salmon
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp smoked paprika; 2 tsp dried oregano; 2 tsp dried thyme; 0.75 tsp cayenne pepper (just a pinch for less heat); 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 2 limes (zest only, finely grated); 1 clove garlic, crushed; 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 peppers, cut into chunks; 2 red onions, cut into wedges; 400 g tinned black beans, drained; 800 g side of salmon with skin, pin-boned; 2 ripe avocados, finely diced; 1 firm, ripe mango, finely diced; 1 red chilli, finely chopped; 0.5 red onion, finely diced; 1 handful coriander, chopped; 2 tbsp lime juice; salt (to taste); 1 lime, cut into wedges (to serve)

Juicy salmon under a smoky, spicy Cajun crust on roasted pepper and bean vegetables, served with fresh avocado and mango salsa.

As of: 11 October 2026

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 200 °C (conventional). Mix the paprika, oregano, thyme, cayenne, sugar, salt, pepper, lime zest, garlic and oil into a paste.
Toss the peppers, onions and beans with half of the paste in a large roasting tin and roast in the oven for 25 minutes.
Stir the vegetables well, set the salmon on top skin side down and spread with the remaining paste. Cook for another 25 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through.
For the salsa, finely dice the avocados, mango, onion and chilli and mix with the coriander, lime juice and salt.
Serve the salmon with the vegetables and beans, with the salsa and lime wedges alongside.

Drink with it

White wine · excellent match
Riesling Kabinett off-dry
The residual sweetness tames the cayenne and smoked paprika, while the acidity cuts through the salmon's richness and echoes the lime and mango.
Which wine pairs with food? A simple approach to choosing
Rosé · good match
Full-bodied dry rosé, well chilled
Red fruit and freshness suit the mango and roasted pepper vegetables, and the chill refreshes after the spicy crust.
Red wine · good match
Pinot Noir, lightly chilled
Low tannin works with salmon, and the red fruit finds a link with the roasted notes of the paprika crust; avoid anything too high in alcohol, or the heat will burn on.
Pale lager · good match
Helles or Kölsch, ice cold
Fizz and cold refresh the palate after the fiery crust, and the lean malt keeps the focus on the salmon and salsa.
Pils or Helles: What's the Difference?

With the same drinks

This pairs well too.

American · Main course · 1 h

Cajun Blackened Salmon

Juicy salmon under a smoky, spicy Cajun crust on roasted pepper and bean vegetables, served with fresh avocado and mango salsa.

As of: 11 October 2026

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 200 °C (conventional). Mix the paprika, oregano, thyme, cayenne, sugar, salt, pepper, lime zest, garlic and oil into a paste.
Toss the peppers, onions and beans with half of the paste in a large roasting tin and roast in the oven for 25 minutes.
Stir the vegetables well, set the salmon on top skin side down and spread with the remaining paste. Cook for another 25 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through.
For the salsa, finely dice the avocados, mango, onion and chilli and mix with the coriander, lime juice and salt.
Serve the salmon with the vegetables and beans, with the salsa and lime wedges alongside.

Drink with it

White wine · excellent match
Riesling Kabinett off-dry
The residual sweetness tames the cayenne and smoked paprika, while the acidity cuts through the salmon's richness and echoes the lime and mango.
Which wine pairs with food? A simple approach to choosing
Rosé · good match
Full-bodied dry rosé, well chilled
Red fruit and freshness suit the mango and roasted pepper vegetables, and the chill refreshes after the spicy crust.
Red wine · good match
Pinot Noir, lightly chilled
Low tannin works with salmon, and the red fruit finds a link with the roasted notes of the paprika crust; avoid anything too high in alcohol, or the heat will burn on.
Pale lager · good match
Helles or Kölsch, ice cold
Fizz and cold refresh the palate after the fiery crust, and the lean malt keeps the focus on the salmon and salsa.
Pils or Helles: What's the Difference?

With the same drinks

Cajun Blackened Salmon

Preparation

Drink with it

Riesling Kabinett off-dry

Full-bodied dry rosé, well chilled

Pinot Noir, lightly chilled

Helles or Kölsch, ice cold

This pairs well too.

Beer-Battered Fish (Backfisch im Bierteig)

Bouillabaisse

Coconut Fish Curry

Cod in Mustard Sauce

Cajun Blackened Salmon

Preparation

Drink with it

Riesling Kabinett off-dry

Full-bodied dry rosé, well chilled

Pinot Noir, lightly chilled

Helles or Kölsch, ice cold

This pairs well too.

Beer-Battered Fish (Backfisch im Bierteig)

Bouillabaisse

Coconut Fish Curry

Cod in Mustard Sauce