To cook salmon in a pan perfectly, follow these expert steps:
- Prepare the Salmon
- Let the salmon fillets come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to help achieve a crispy crust.
- Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides
- Heat the Pan and Oil
- Use a 10-12 inch nonstick or cast iron skillet.
- Heat the pan over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering.
- Add a high smoke point oil like vegetable, canola, or avocado oil (olive oil can burn easily)
- Cook the Salmon
- Place the salmon fillets skin-side up if skinless, or skin-side down if skin-on, in the hot pan without moving them.
- Cook for about 4-6 minutes until the side is golden brown and releases easily from the pan
* Flip the salmon carefully with a spatula.
* Reduce heat to medium and cook for another 2-5 minutes until cooked to your liking. The total cooking time is usually around 7-10 minutes depending on thickness
- Finish and Serve
- Optionally, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
- Transfer to a platter and serve immediately with your choice of sides like steamed vegetables, salad, or mashed potatoes
Tips:
- Don’t move the salmon while it’s cooking on each side to form a nice crust.
- Use center-cut fillets for even thickness and cooking.
- A nonstick skillet helps prevent sticking and makes flipping easier
This method yields salmon with a crisp exterior and tender, juicy interior, restaurant-style at home
. Summary:
Step| Details
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Prep| Room temp, dry, season with salt & pepper
Pan & Oil| Medium-high heat, high smoke point oil
Cook First Side| Skin-side up/down, 4-6 mins, no moving
Flip & Cook Second| 2-5 mins on medium heat until done
Serve| Add lemon juice, serve hot with sides
This approach ensures perfectly pan-cooked salmon every time.
