Pan Seared Salmon

This pan seared salmon has an extra crispy exterior and flaky flesh, and cooks up in less than 10 minutes! Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 8

Total Time 9

Servings servings

Calories 279kcal

Author Arman Liew

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.

Video

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.

Recipe variations

Cook with aromatics. Sauté diced garlic and onion with the butter mixture before adding the salmon.
Add Mediterranean flavors. Toss sundried tomatoes, capers, and kalamata olives into the pan, and top the cooked salmon with crumbled feta cheese.
Garnish with fresh herbs. Cook sprigs of fresh rosemary, dill, or thyme in the pan with the butter.
Serve with lemon garlic butter sauce. Sauté garlic and lemon zest with the butter, then serve the salmon with fresh lemon juice.
Add an Asian sauce. For some Asian salmon flavors, drizzle some katsu sauce, eel sauce, or bulgogi sauce.

Nutrition