International · Quick Meals

Pan-Seared Salmon

Salmon fillets seared skin side down in a hot pan until the skin is crisp and the flesh stays moist and rosy. Fifteen minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 15 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
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Method

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  1. Pat the fillets very dry and season the flesh with half the salt and the pepper and the skin with the rest.

  2. Heat the oil in a large non-stick or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers.

  3. Lay the fillets in the pan skin side down, away from you, and press each flat with a fish slice for 20 seconds.

  4. Cook 5 to 6 minutes without moving, until the skin is crisp and releases easily and the flesh is opaque about three quarters of the way up the side.

  5. Turn and cook 1 to 2 minutes for medium, 54°C / 130°F, or up to 3 minutes for well done.

  6. Rest skin side up for 2 minutes and serve with lemon wedges and dill.

Chef’s Tips

  • Let the skin release by itself. If it sticks, it is not ready to turn.
  • Pull it at 54°C to 57°C for silky, medium salmon.
  • A white protein that seeps out is a sign of high heat. Lower the burner slightly next time.

Pairing Suggestions

  • Buttered new potatoes
  • Steamed asparagus
  • A lemon and herb salad

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate up to 3 days and flake into salads and pasta. Freeze cooked fillets for 2 months.

Common questions

How long does Pan-Seared Salmon take to make?

About 15 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.

What are the key tips for making Pan-Seared Salmon?

Let the skin release by itself. If it sticks, it is not ready to turn. Pull it at 54°C to 57°C for silky, medium salmon. A white protein that seeps out is a sign of high heat. Lower the burner slightly next time.

What should I serve with Pan-Seared Salmon?

Buttered new potatoes; Steamed asparagus; A lemon and herb salad.

Can Pan-Seared Salmon be made ahead or frozen?

Refrigerate up to 3 days and flake into salads and pasta. Freeze cooked fillets for 2 months.

Is Pan-Seared Salmon suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, high-protein, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Pan-Seared Salmon?

About 334 kcal per serving, with 34 g protein, 0 g carbohydrate and 22 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Nutritional Highlights

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

334Calories
34gProtein
0gCarbs
22gFat
0gFibre
0gSugar
420mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.