Can you say Blackened Salmon Sliders? I love creating Game Day Snacks for my friends and these little sliders are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
Audio Player
What would the world be like without all the different cuisines we have to choose from. And food from around the world blended together to create an extra special dish are my favorites. In my early days of cheffing, this was called Fusion Cuisine.
But intertwining different flavors from different cuisines has become the norm and dishes like my Blackened Salmon Sliders are typical of this type of cooking and is my favorite techniques for Game Day Food!
What ingredients do I need to make an Asian Slaw?
Let’s start by gathering our ingredients to make my Blackened Salmon Sliders. In chef speak this is called the mise en place (everything in its place). Let’s start with the ingredients to make the Asian Slaw.
Start by mixing the slaw ingredients together and the ingredients for the dressing together.
Then it’s just a matter of tossing them together. It’s best to make the slaw a few hours ahead of time to allow the ingredients to soak in the flavors.
How do I make Blackened Salmon Sliders?
Once your slaw is made the rest is easy-peasy and only takes slider rolls, salmon, your favorite blackening seasoning and your premade slaw.
These are the basics ingredients to make Salmon Sliders but feel free to add your personal touches.
- Not a fan of blackened salmon? Grilled salmon is a great substitute.
- Not a fan of salmon? Try tuna, snapper, redfish or any of your favorites.
- Leave out any of the items you don’t like in the slaw.
- Use your favorite bottled dressing instead of making my Asian dressing.
- Cut the salmon into larger pieces and make full-size sandwiches
The first step in preparing the salmon is coating one side with Cajun seasoning (aka blackening seasoning).
How do I make Blackening Seasoning?
If you can’t buy blackening seasoning aka Cajun Spice where you live, here is a basic recipe that can be adjusted to your likes.
- 2 tablespoons paprika (smoked or regular)
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tesaspoon ground black pepper
- 1½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon cayenne (more if you like heat, but be careful)
Prepare a sauté pan by letting it get really hot. Add a very small amount of oil to the pan, just enough to coat it. Place the seasoned side down in the hot pan and allow to cook for about 2 minutes. Turn the salmon over and cook on the other side for another 2 minutes.
This will cook the salmon to an almost done state. If you prefer your salmon well-done, allow it to stay in the pan a little longer.
Chef Dennis Tip-
Make sure to have your kitchen fan on and plenty of ventilation in your kitchen. The seasonings can cause choking if you’re not careful.
Once your salmon is cooked you can assemble the sliders and serve them to your guests.
Don’t these look OMG delicious? I hate to tell you I devoured 3 of these little sliders after taking the pictures. And thanks to Omeprazole ODT, there was NO HEARTBURN.
What Type of Salmon Should I Use?
You can use any type of salmon you have available in your markets. Most supermarkets carry Atlantic Salmon which is not my favorite but will work well with this recipe. If possible look for Pacific or Atlantic Salmon. My favorites are Sockeye (red) and Coho (silver) or Chinook (King).
Atlantic Salmon is more plentiful and usually less expensive but I prefer wild-caught fish to farmed seafood.
*Farmed salmon is much higher in fat, containing slightly more omega-3s, much more omega-6 and three times the amount of saturated fat. It also has 46% more calories — mostly from fat. Conversely, wild salmon is higher in minerals, including potassium, zinc and iron
Can I pre-cook the salmon?
If you’d rather not be cooking when your guests arrive you can precook the blackened salmon. Sauté the salmon on the blackened side for 1-2 minutes and then turn the salmon and sear the other side for 30 seconds.
Wait until it has cooled a little before covering the salmon, then place in the fridge until needed.
When it’s time to serve your guests, place the salmon in a baking dish in a 350 degree F oven for 15 minutes. Assemble your sliders and you’re ready to go!
If you love salmon you may also like these recipes:
- Marinated Grilled Salmon
- Grilled Cedar Planked Salmon
- Mediterranean Style Salmon
- Blackened Salmon Salad
- Stuffed Salmon with Cream Cheese and Crabmeat
Blackened Salmon Sliders with an Asian Slaw
Ingredients
- 2 lbs salmon skinned and boned
- 2 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to coat pan
Asian Slaw
- ¼ cup red peppers julienned into small strips
- ¼ cup carrots shredded
- ¼ cup cilantro cleaned and roughly chopped
- ½ cup green cabbage thinly sliced and chopped
- ½ cup purple cabbage thinly sliced and chopped
- 2 cups napa cabbage thinly sliced and chopped
Asian Dressing
- 2 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey (you can substitute maple syrup)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (you can substitute white vinegar)
- 4 tablespoon vegetable oil (you can use light olive oil)
Instructions
Asian Slaw
- Prepare the ingredients for the slaw then toss together in a medium-sized bowl.
- Mix all the ingredients for the dressing together with a fork or small wire whisk until they are fully combined.
- Add the dressing to the slaw mix and toss until all the ingredients are coated with the dressing. Refrigerate overnight or for at least two hours.
Blackened Salmon
- Remove the skin and any bones from the salmon.
- Cut the salmon into eight small pieces (About 4 ounces each).
- Press the fillet side of the salmon into the Cajun seasoning. Repeat until all the pieces have been coated on one side.
- Heat a large sauté pan until hot then add a very small amount of cooking oil to the pan. You can use a brush or a paper towel to spread the oil, just be careful so you don't get burned in the process.
- With the kitchen fan on high, carefully place the salmon, seasoned-side down in the pan and allow to cook for about two minutes. You want the seasoning to turn a lovely reddish color without burning.
- After 2 minutes, carefully turn each piece and sauté on the other side for about 2 minutes, or longer if you prefer well-done salmon.
- Remove the blackened salmon fillets from the pan to a serving dish.
Assembly
- Slice the slider rolls in half.
- Place the blackened salmon, seasoned side up on the bottom of the slider roll.
- Top the salmon with Asian slaw. Add the top of the roll, serve and enjoy!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This Blackened Salmon Sliders looks really mouthwatering! I can’t wait to have this on my plate right now!
1
Coralie says
My husband and kids would LOVE these! I need to add them to my menu next week. They look absolutely delicious.
Lizzie says
I love blackened salmon, but I’ve never had it as sliders. I’m going to make this for my dad who doesn’t eat meat. He will love it!
Kathy says
I love the idea of salmon sliders. I do love sliders. I’ve never tried one with salmon before though. I’m sure these are really good. They sure do look good.
Bethel says
Salmon is my favorite and thank you for introducing a new dish to me. Your recipes are always a 5 star to me
Ruth I says
What a healthy way making a sandwich. Love having fish with my bread. Good for those keen for their health.
Chris T. Hoov says
Blackened salmon sounds so interesting, and wow, it’s great that you’ve found the right remedy for your heart burn. Thanks for sharing about this.
Brandy says
Salmon is so good! I know that my oldest child loves eating it for health reasons, but I haven’t had it yet. These sliders do make me want to try it though.
Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers DFW Parenting/LIfestyle says
These Blackened Salman sliders look delicious. I’m not a huge fish eater but I’d be tempted to give salmon a try.
Terri Steffes says
These sound delicious. We eat salmon 2-3 times a week so this would be a little different way to eat it.
Beth says
These look delicious! I like the precook option too. I will have to make these for my family.
Heather says
These look delicious Dennis! I’m following Weight Watchers so I would totally enjoy these bun-less. You did a beautiful job.
Tammy says
Two of my favorite things to eat are blackened salmon and blackened grouper. These sliders look so good!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing this recipe and must try your rub.
melissa chapman says
Looks like a good go to recipe for a healthy tasty get together. I know the important games are coming up so i might make this for those great games.
Amber Myers says
These look incredible! I will have to make these for dinner. My mom would love these too! She’s all about salmon.