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    Home » Seafood Recipes » Pan-Fried Salmon

    Pan-Fried Salmon

    Last updated: Jun 2, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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    Pan-fried salmon is so delicious when cooked in butter and olive oil. The skin becomes wonderfully crispy and the flesh is juicy and flavorful.

    Who needs fast food, when this homemade dish is ready in just ten minutes? Even the leftovers are good, especially in a salad.

    Pan-fried salmon served on a white plate, topped with lemon slices.

    It seems like people tend to either love strong-tasting fish such as seared tuna and broiled salmon, or delicate white fish such as grilled halibut and baked cod.

    Me? I belong to the first group. I adore salmon. Especially thick, fatty salmon steaks.

    Although I usually make baked salmon, or grilled salmon in the summer, I have to say that pan-fried salmon is so delicious, especially when cooked in butter. 

    And the bonus: it's a very easy meal to prepare, making it very suitable for a quick weeknight dinner.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Pan-Fried Salmon Instructions
    • Expert Tip
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • More Salmon Recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy salmon recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    • Salmon fillets: I prefer to use skin-on fillets - the skin is just so delicious. It's the best part of the fish!
    • To season: I use kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme.
    • For frying: I use a mix of olive oil and butter.
    • Optional additions: Lemon slices and chopped parsley. Optional, but they do add flavor and color to the dish.
    The ingredients needed to make pan-seared salmon.

    Variations

    • The best way to vary this recipe is to experiment with different spices and herbs. Good options that I tried and liked include onion powder, paprika, and dried oregano.
    • You can also choose to forego the butter and cook the fish in olive oil, using two tablespoons. I do feel, however, that the butter enhances the salmon's flavor and almost always use butter in this recipe.

    Pan-Fried Salmon Instructions

    The detailed instructions for making this recipe are included in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps:

    • Your first step is to season the salmon. (Photo 1).
    • Next, heat some olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet.
    • When the butter starts foaming, add the salmon fillets to the pan, skin-side-down. (Photo 2).
    • Sear the salmon, undisturbed, until the skin is crisp and browned, then flip it and cook it for 2-3 more minutes, until it's cooked through. (Photo 3).
    • Transfer the cooked salmon to a plate, drizzle or brush it with the pan juices, garnish with lemon and parsley, and serve. (Photos 4-6).
    A six-photo collage showing the steps for pan-frying salmon fillets.

    Expert Tip

    Don't forget to drizzle (or brush) the salmon with the pan juices after you've arranged it on plates. The pan sauce is buttery and rich. It adds tons of flavor to the dish.

    Recipe FAQs

    How can you tell when pan-fried salmon is done?

    when salmon is done, it transforms from red and translucent to pink and opaque.

    The USDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F, although many cooks feel that it's better to cook salmon to an internal temperature of 130°F and then let it rest for five minutes.

    Apart from using a thermometer, another way to check for doneness is to gently press down on the top of the fillets with a fork. If the flesh flakes (separates) easily, the fish is done.

    How do I make salmon skin crispy?

    To make sure the skin is crispy, cook the fish skin-side down for about 4 minutes over medium-high heat.

    Turn it to the other side only after you can see (when lifting the edge) that the skin is browned. It's also important to add enough fat to the frying pan.

    Can I cook salmon without the skin?

    Yes! Personally, I love salmon skin. Especially when fried and crispy! But if you prefer to cook it without the skin, simply follow the same instructions, cooking it for about 3 minutes per side.

    Can I use frozen salmon?

    No. I recommend defrosting the salmon before using it in this recipe. It's fine to use frozen salmon when baking the salmon in the oven. But when pan-frying, I feel that it should be thawed to ensure it is evenly cooked.

    Serving Suggestions

    Pan-fried salmon is such a versatile dish. It goes with anything! I often serve it with one of the following sides:

    • Zucchini casserole
    • Sauteed cauliflower
    • Broiled tomatoes
    • Cauliflower fritters
    • Cauliflower au gratin
    • Mashed butternut squash
    • Sauteed sugar snap peas

    Storing leftovers

    You can keep the leftovers for 3 days in the fridge, in an airtight container. I prefer to avoid reheating the leftovers because reheating can dry them out.

    Instead, I crumble them cold over a salad such as this arugula salad. Or I use the cold salmon in this Cobb salad instead of chicken.

    Sometimes I chop the leftovers up and mix them with some cream cheese and have that for my lunch the next day. It's really good!

    Three pan-fried salmon fillets topped with lemon slices and parsley.

    More Salmon Recipes

    • Broiled salmon served with tomatoes and lemon.
      Broiled Salmon
    • Asian salmon served on a white plate with chopsticks.
      Asian Salmon
    • Blackened salmon served with lemon slices.
      Blackened Salmon
    • Poached salmon served on a white plate with lemon slices.
      Poached Salmon

    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or updated recipe once a week. Want the new recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Pan-fried salmon served on a white plate, topped with lemon slices.
    4.98 from 103 votes
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    Pan-Fried Salmon

    Pan-fried salmon is so delicious when cooked in butter and olive oil. Who needs fast food when this homemade dish is ready in just ten minutes?
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time15 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 245kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
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    Ingredients

    • 4 (6-oz) salmon fillets 1-inch thick, skin on
    • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 4 lemon slices ¼-inch thick
    • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped

    Instructions

    • Season the salmon pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme.
    • Heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet, swirling to coat.
    • When the butter starts foaming, add the salmon fillets to the pan, skin-side-down. If using, add the lemon slices too.
    • Fry the salmon, undisturbed, until the skin is crisp and browned, about 4 minutes.
    • Flip the fish and the lemon slices over, lower the heat to medium, and continue cooking until the fish is cooked through, 2-3 more minutes.*
    • Transfer the salmon to a plate and baste it with the pan juices. Top each fillet with a lemon slice, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    *The salmon's internal temperature should reach 145ºF. If it's very thick, you'll need to cook the edges too, for about 2 minutes per edge.
    If your salmon is frozen, I recommend defrosting it completely before using it in this recipe. 
    Don't forget to drizzle (or brush) the salmon with the pan juices after you've arranged it on the plates. The pan sauce is amazing and adds tons of flavor to the dish.

    Add Your Own Notes

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    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 164mg
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    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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    More Seafood Recipes

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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