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Dinner

Garlicky Viet Cajun Salmon

This flavorful salmon combines the spicy kick of a Cajun boil with the aromatic garlic and butter notes found in Houston style Vietnamese cooking.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Fusion· August 2, 2026
Garlicky Viet Cajun Salmon
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
10 minutes
Total
20 minutes
Serves
2

Viet Cajun food is such a special part of the Houston food scene. It perfectly marries the bold, spicy seasonings of a crawfish boil with the fragrant, buttery garlic sauce that makes Vietnamese seafood so addictive. I love making this when I want a restaurant quality meal at home that feels comforting and exciting all at once.

My biggest tip is to use high quality butter for the sauce because it really carries all those lovely spices. If you want a bit more heat, feel free to add a pinch of extra cayenne pepper to your spice mix before coating the fillets.

Ingredients

  • 2 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat your salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with the Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika.

  2. 2

    Heat a nonstick skillet over medium high heat and add a drizzle of oil.

  3. 3

    Place the salmon in the pan skin side down and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until the skin is crispy.

  4. 4

    Carefully flip the salmon and cook for another 3 minutes until it is cooked through to your liking.

  5. 5

    Remove the salmon from the pan and set it aside on a plate.

  6. 6

    In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat and add the minced garlic, cooking until it is soft and fragrant.

  7. 7

    Stir in the fish sauce, sugar, and chili flakes if you are using them.

  8. 8

    Let the sauce bubble for one minute, then pour it over your salmon fillets.

  9. 9

    Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.

💡 Tips

Serve this salmon over a bowl of steamed jasmine rice to soak up all the extra garlic butter sauce. You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days, but it is best enjoyed fresh.

#seafood#dinner#fusion#easy dinner#healthy

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