Best Pan Seared Salmon Recipes

PAN SEARED SALMON RECIPE

Steps:

• If your salmon fillets are not descaled, use a knife to gently scrape off the scales.
• In a small bowl, mash together the butter, lemon juice, garlic, dill, and parsley. Set aside.
• Use paper towels to pat the salmon fillets completely dry - this will ensure even browning.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes, until shimmering and hot. (You can test that it's hot enough by adding a drop of water to the pan; if it sizzles, the pan is ready.)
• Once the pan is hot, right before you are ready to sear the salmon, season both sides with sea salt and black pepper.
• Add the fish fillets to the pan in a single layer, skin side down. Use a fish spatula to press down on top of each fillet for the first 10 seconds immediately after adding it to the pan, to prevent curling. Sear, without moving, for 5-6 minutes, until the salmon is 80-90% opaque; only the top will be not quite done.
• Use the fish spatula to flip the salmon fillets. Working quickly, immediately add the herb butter mixture to the pan near (but not on top of) the salmon. Cook the salmon for about 1 minute, stirring the butter around the salmon as it melts, but without moving the salmon, until the seared salmon internal temperature reaches your desired doneness: 125 degrees F (51 degrees C) for medium rare, 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) for medium, or 140 degrees F (60 degrees C) for well done.
• Flip salmon over and spoon the lemon butter sauce over it. Remove from the pan immediately to avoid overcooking.

PAN-SEARED CRISPY SALMON

Steps:

• 1. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a saute pan. Place the salmon, skin-side down, in the pan and cook (without moving the fish) until the skin is crispy, about 4 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat, turn the salmon, and continue to cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
• 2. Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon oil in another saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, shallots, and leek; saute for 3 to 5 minutes until the leak begins to soften.
• 3. Add the cannellini beans and the wine; bring to a gentle simmer. Add the butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

PAN SEARED SALMON

Steps:

• Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. With a paper towel, pat the fillets very dry on both sides.
• Heat the butter and oil in a 12-inch cast iron or heavy stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until the butter foams and the foam subsides, about 3 minutes. It's important the pan is VERY hot before you add the salmon, or it won't crisp properly.
• Just before adding it to the pan, season the flesh side of the salmon with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.
• Carefully place the fillets in the skillet, skin-side up, lowering them down away from you to protect yourself from splatters. Sprinkle the skin side of the salmon with a pinch of kosher salt.
• Let the salmon cook on the first side completely undisturbed until the flesh appears cooked about 3/4 of the way up the fillet, about 5 to 6 minutes.
• With a fish spatula or similar long, wide, flexible spatula, carefully flip the fillets. They should release easily from the pan; if they are sticking, the salmon most likely isn't ready yet. Let cook another 30 seconds or so, then try again.
• Reduce the pan heat to medium. Cook the salmon on the other side for 2 to 4 minutes more, until it is done to your liking (I remove the salmon at 130 degrees for medium). Remove to a plate and let rest 5 minutes. Squeeze lemon over the top and sprinkle with herbs. Serve hot or at room temperature.

PAN SEARED SALMON I

Steps:

• Preheat a large heavy skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes.
• Coat salmon with olive oil. Place in skillet, and increase heat to high. Cook for 3 minutes. Sprinkle with capers, and salt and pepper. Turn salmon over, and cook for 5 minutes, or until browned. Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.
• Transfer salmon to individual plates, and garnish with lemon slices.