Pan Seared Salmon

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5 from 32 votes
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Cook restaurant-style pan seared salmon in the comfort of your kitchen with only 5 ingredients and in less than 10 minutes! The salmon fillets turn out juicy and flaky, with moist flesh under flawlessly crispy skin. 

pan sear salmon.

Flaky and juicy salmon fillets are my top choice when I need to put together a quick dinner for myself or the entire family. 

We regularly enjoy cooking with salmon, whether that be air fryer salmon, sauteed salmon, lemon and pepper salmon, or evening stuffed salmon.

When we want to let the natural flavors of the fish shine and pair it with hearty sides, nothing beats pan-cooking the fish to perfection. 

Table of Contents
  1. Why this recipe works
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to pan sear salmon
  4. Tips for success
  5. Flavor variations
  6. What to serve with pan seared salmon
  7. Storage instructions 
  8. Recommended tools to make this recipe
  9. More delicious ways to cook salmon
  10. Frequently asked questions
  11. Pan Seared Salmon (Recipe Card)

Why this recipe works

If you enjoy the authentic buttery flavor of salmon without too many flavors overshadowing it, this pan seared salmon recipe will win your heart. The salmon fillets are seasoned with only salt and pepper and are seared to crispy golden perfection in butter and olive oil.

  • It needs minimal ingredients. If you have brought home some juicy cuts of fresh salmon and are looking for a simple but delicious way to cook them, this is the recipe to go for (along with baked salmon!).
  • It cooks quickly and easily. Like we do with blackened salmon or cast iron salmon, hot and fast is my favorite way to cook salmon. It takes a couple of minutes to cook salmon fillets in a heated pan and you never end up with overcooked salmon so long as you flip the fish at the right time (try it with honey garlic salmon, too).
  • It’s super versatile. This salmon pairs well with something simple like a green salad or baked potato, or something more elaborate like cabbage steaks and a potato au gratin

Ingredients needed

Salmon is a fish that doesn’t need much to taste exceptionally good. Using a proper cooking technique is all you need to make it shine. Here is what you’ll need. 

  • Salmon. Use skin-on salmon fillets, as the skin crisps up nicely once it touches the hot pan. It creates an additional layer of flavor and texture. 
  • Butter. It gives the seared fish a rich flavor and creates the most amazing golden crust. 
  • Olive oil. Adding a small amount of oil to the pan will help prevent the butter from burning. If you don’t like cooking with butter, feel free to use olive oil only. 
  • Salt and pepper. Nothing else is needed to enhance this fish’s rich buttery flavor. You can add other spices of your choice.

How to pan sear salmon

  1. Prepare the salmon fillets– Remove the salmon from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Pat dry the fillets using paper towels. Season both sides of the fish with salt and pepper. 
  2. Add the fillets to a heated pan– Place a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the butter and olive oil. Add the fillets to the pan with the skin side down when the butter has melted. 
  3. Cook and serve– Cook the fillets for 4-5 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip the fillets and cook them for another 2 minutes. Don’t overcook the salmon to keep it nice and moist inside. 
pan seared salmon.

Tips for success

  • If you are frying a few fillets at a time, ensure they have the same thickness to end up with evenly cooked fish. Otherwise, you must flip the fillets and remove them from the pan at different times. 
  • Don’t touch the salmon while it cooks. Touch it only once when flipping the fillets. This will ensure a good and even sear on the fish and a nice crust on both sides. 
  • When using frozen salmon, defrost the fillets in the fridge first. If you don’t have much time to do this, hold the fillets under running cold water to remove the ice layer on the fish. Then pat dry it using paper towels and cook. 

Flavor variations

If you want to experiment, feel free to add more ingredients to this salmon dish. Here are a few ideas. 

  • Cook with garlic. Adding chopped or crushed garlic to the pan is the easiest way to enhance the flavor of this simple dish. As a bonus, you will have a delicious garlic butter sauce that you can pour over the fish right before serving it. 
  • Add Mediterranean flavors. Add sun-dried tomatoes, capers, or Kalamata olives to the pan to give the salmon a Mediterranean twist. 
  • Use fresh herbs. Put a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme into the pan when you melt the butter. Wilting a handful of spinach in the hot pan once you remove the fillets is a great way to make a quick side dish for the fish. Fresh parsley and dill are other herb options that work amazingly for salmon. 
  • Add an Asian sauce. For some Asian salmon flavors, drizzle some katsu, eel, or bulgogi sauce.

What to serve with pan seared salmon

This dish’s simplicity makes it so easy to pair it with a range of side dishes or even on top of a salmon bowl. From vegetables to salads and pasta to rice, here are our favorite dishes to serve with pan-seared salmon. 

Storage instructions 

To store. Store leftover cooked salmon in an airtight container in the fridge. Eat it within 3 days. 

To reheat. You can bring the salmon to room temperature and use it cold for salads and sandwiches. If you want to warm it up, use the microwave or put the fish in the oven preheated to 275F degrees for 15 minutes or until heated through. 

To freeze. Put cooked salmon fillets into a freezer bag, push out the excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost the fillets in the fridge before reheating them. 

Leftover idea

Cooked salmon is such a fabulous protein option that can be added to a plethora of dishes. Flake the fish over a rice salad, add it to a quesadilla, or even use it as a pizza topping. Of course, you can also use it as a meal prep with some potatoes and broccolini.

how to pan sear salmon.

More delicious ways to cook salmon

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to pan sear or bake salmon?

Pan-searing and baking both work well for salmon. Baking salmon is a great cooking method for salmon if the fillets are frozen and you don’t have time to defrost them. Cooking salmon in the pan, on the other hand, is much quicker and helps crisp up the salmon skin. 

What side of salmon do you sear first?

If you are using skin-on salmon fillets, put them in the pan with the skin side down first. The skin will become nice and crispy, making it easy to flip the fillet with a spatula without damaging its integrity. 

How do you know when salmon is done pan searing?

You can use a meat thermometer to determine if the salmon fillets are done cooking. The internal temperature of perfectly cooked salmon should be around 125 degrees F. 
If you don’t have an instant-read thermometer, press on the fillet with your finger or a fork. If the fillet flakes easily, it’s time to remove it from the pan. 

pan seared salmon recipe.

Pan Seared Salmon

5 from 32 votes
This pan seared salmon has an extra crispy exterior and flaky flesh, and cooks up in less than 10 minutes!
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 9 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 4 salmon fillets 150 grams/6 oz
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions 

  • Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter and olive oil.
  • Once the butter has melted and the skillet is hot, carefully place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet.
  • Cook the salmon for 4-5 minutes on the skin side, without moving them, until the skin is crispy and golden brown.
  • Using a spatula, carefully flip the salmon fillets over and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the salmon is cooked through, but still moist and tender in the center.

Notes

TO STORE. Store leftover cooked salmon in an airtight container in the fridge. Eat it within 3 days. 
TO REHEAT. You can bring the salmon to room temperature and use it cold for salads and sandwiches. If you want to warm it up, use the microwave or put the fish in the oven preheated to 275F degrees for 15 minutes or until heated through. 
TO FREEZE. Put cooked salmon fillets into a freezer bag, push out the excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost the fillets in the fridge before reheating them. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 279kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 35gFat: 14gSodium: 885mgPotassium: 864mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 68IUCalcium: 23mgIron: 2mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is nice and awesome thanks for share us.Fantastic Blog…I will definitly share your blog with other people.Thank you

  2. Hello Arman! Glad to get connected with you and your blog, too! I would take your Mom’s Asian Pan Seared Salmon anytime over a French dish – looks so delish! Glad to know you got to know some Pinoy bloggers. Have you been to Manila yourself? Perhaps you can go with your dad one time. Sent a personal like to your FB page, too. 🙂

    1. I haven’t been yet- But I’m hoping to in the near future!

      Thanks so much, Abigail- Appreciate it!

  3. Whoa… they actually banned you from French?? That’s so intense. Either way, this recipe looks fantastic – the combo of soy sauce and tabasco seems like it would be a really intriguing one. Going to have to try it when we have salmon next!

    1. Haha yes! Mainly because I couldn’t do the written aspect took well! Please do- It’s so simple but really flavourful!

  4. Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you share this week! Its LIVE!

    Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com

  5. Love this dish, it looks amazing it, pinning it now. And go you for standing up and shouting – I’ve got a degree in French, lived there for 12 years, married a Frenchman and can’t stand bad French accents! And the best way to learn a language? Get a boyfriend/girlfriend of that nationality! It worked a million times better than my 11 years of French schooling, degree included!
    #Recipeoftheweek

  6. Hahaha, you’re so hilarious Arman! What a great story, can’t believe she wrote a two page letter. I’ve been taking Japanese for a year now but basically rely on translation sites to understand the textbook. I can’t form a grammatically correct sentence and lack your amazing pronunciation skills. Studying Japanese gives me a serious headache and I keep kicking myself for not picking English. Oh well, just one more year of Japanese to go.

  7. My high school taught Spanish, French and Latin. I took Latin because I really like languages that are super useful and spoken everywhere (not). Free translation sites did not exist for Latin… but did for my college French classes.

  8. You’re still a stubborn goat. It’s part of your charm.

    I think these are some of your best pictures yet, and I don’t even eat fish. For real, nicely done mon amie!!

  9. Haha she totally worded that rather rudely, I think. Eff French – bet you took something far cooler that year. 😉

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