Name: 20 Minute Blackened Salmon Tacos with Cotija Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs salmon; 1 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon thyme; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 teaspoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 8-10 corn tortillas; 1/2 cup grated or crumbled Cotija cheese; Optional toppings: sliced cabbage, cilantro, corn, avocado, or avocado lime crema

Jump to Recipe

These blackened salmon tacos are ready in just 20 minutes! Rubbed with blackened seasoning, seared in the cast iron, and topped with Cotjia cheese, these tacos are extra delicious when paired with my avocado lime crema.

three blackened salmon tacos on speckled plate with corn, avocado, cotjia cheese and cilantro

Why I love this Recipe!

I love me a good taco. In fact, tacos are one of those foods I can never tire of. Probably because there are so many opportunities to introduce variety – you can vary up the protein, the veggies, the cheeses, the sauces, the heat, etc. Speaking of sauces, these tacos would pair perfectly with my avocado lime crema.

I’m a big fan of fish tacos too, especially in the summer. They’re light and refreshing and oh, so satisfying.

As a dietitian and mama, I’m all about quick salmon recipes I can make on a weeknight like my Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies or my Baked BBQ Salmon.

And taco recipes are great for little ones (like my toddler) because you can serve it deconstructed and they can choose which toppings they’d like to put on. Usually for my 3 year old that means just cheese and avocado ;).

The blackened seasoning is easy to whip up or make in advance and the salmon only takes 6-8 minutes to cook in the cast iron! When’s the last time you cooked something in 6-8 minutes?!

I also really enjoy the flavor contrast of spicy blackened salmon with salty Cotija cheese and sweet corn as a topping. Cotija cheese is an aged Mexican cheese that’s firm and salty. I LOVE LOVE LOVE using it on my tacos. It’s kind of comparable to a feta cheese in terms of its texture and saltiness.

Ingredients You’ll Use

ingredients for blackened salmon tacos laid out on dark washed surface with white text overlay

notes on ingredients:

salmon: the protein source and foundation of this taco! buttery, flaky, and packed with omega-3s!

Cotija cheese: an aged-Mexican cheese that’s white, firm and salty! Sub with feta if you can’t find it!

cilantro: a fresh herb that pairs well with Mexican-inspired cuisine and has a fresh citrus, lemony-peppery taste!

corn tortillas: I like using corn tortillas for tacos but you can also use flour or whole-wheat.

smoked paprika: spice that is smoky and spicy with hints of sweetness

thyme: gives spice rub an earthy lemony flavor

oregano: offers an earthy slightly bitter flavor to the blackened seasoning

cayenne: packs in some spicy heat to the rub

brown sugar: adds some sweetness to the seasoning

onion powder: adds a zesty, sharp pungent flavor to the spice rub

garlic powder: adds a milder garlic taste to the seasoning

Dietitian Geeks out Over Salmon!

It’s true. As a registered dietitian, I get a little nerdy about how much I love salmon, not only for its taste, but its nutritional content too.

Salmon is loaded with vitamin D, magnesium, selenium, and B vitamins, and omega-3s which are essential fatty acids because we don’t produce them in our body naturally (we need to get them from food sources and/or supplements).

Omega-3s (primarily DHA and EPA) are well-studied have been associated with a whole host of health benefits including reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and supporting infant health and brain development, and cognitive function. They are also being studied for their effects on depression, ADHD, inflammatory bowel disease and childhood allergies.

Let’s hear it for omegaaaaaas!

How to Make Blackened Salmon Tacos

different spices in glass bowl to make a blackened seasoning

piece of salmon plate rubbed with blackened seasoning

Make the seasoning. Whisk together smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper until combined.
Rub that salmon! Rub blackened seasoning all over flesh of salmon until its covered.
Cook salmon. Heat olive oil in a cast iron pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, place salmon flesh side down into the pan, cooking until blackened, about 2-3 minutes. Flip salmon over, skin side down, and cook until internal temperature reaches 125-125 degrees F (for medium rare) or the filet flakes easily when a fork is inserted into the center, about 4-5 minutes.
Assemble your tacos! Divide flaked salmon, Cotija cheese, and other desired toppings like my avocado lime crema among tortillas.

Equipment You’ll Need

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Cast Iron Pan (I have the Lodge brand and really like it)

Expert Tips!

I like to cook my salmon to medium-rare, which is an internal temperature of 125-135 degrees F, however the USDA recommends cooking seafood to well done or 145 degrees F to ensure it’s safe from possible food borne illness. This will result in a dryer, tougher piece of salmon. You choose which temp is right for you!
Since this recipe is super quick to make, I like to take the extra 5 minutes to make my avocado lime crema to pair with these tacos. You could also whip it up ahead of time or while the salmon is cooking.

3 blackened salmon tacos on speckled plate with lime wedge, corn, avocado and cotija cheese

Storage and Preparation

Leftover blackened salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you make different components like the avocado lime crema, I recommend storing those separately.

Blackened salmon leftovers can be reheated in the microwave for 30-60 seconds.

Recipes that Pair Well

The Best Mexican Street Corn Dip

Vegetarian Nachos

5 Minute Avocado Lime Crema with Greek Yogurt

three blackened salmon tacos with corn, avocado, cabbage, and cotija cheese on grey speckled plate

For more taco inspiration, check out my other recipes below!

25 Minute Sheet Pan Crispy Black Bean Tacos

Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos with Ranch Slaw

Instant Pot Jackfruit Tacos

If you like this recipe, please be sure to comment and give it a 5 star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrd and I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!

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