Pan Seared Salmon Recipe with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to pan sear or bake salmon? ›

For smaller, crispy, skin-on Salmon; a crispy pan sear is recommended. For bigger fillets, and succulent, skin-off King Salmon; the best method would be cooking in an oven.

Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Cook the salmon, without moving, skin side up, until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes. Carefully flip the fillets and reduce the heat to medium. Continue cooking until done to your liking, 4 to 5 minutes more.

Add the olive oil and gently place the salmon into the pan, skin-side down. Cook for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove the fish to rest on a plate while you assemble the soup.

Coat salmon on both sides with cooking oil. Add enough cooking oil to coat the bottom of the pan and heat over medium-high heat. Place salmon, skin-side up, into pan and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Carefully flip salmon and cook for another 3 minutes or until done.

To start, get your fish to room temperature.

This ensures a more even doneness throughout the entire fillet. Heat a skillet until very hot before adding some vegetable oil and salt. Place the fish skin-side down in the pan, pressing down firmly with a fish spatula.

Ensure your pan is very hot (this will ensure a crispy crust) and add oil. Place the fillets skin-side down and sear for about 6-8 minutes, depending on how thick the piece of fish is. Flip once you see that the flesh has lightened about 3/4 of the way up the fish. Sear for another 1-2 minutes.

Marinating salmon can add additional flavor and help the fish stay moist during cooking. Most marinades include an acidic element like lemon or vinegar which add a pleasant tanginess to the fish. Salmon is considered by some to be a "fishy" tasting fish because it is firm and high in fat.

A creamy but slightly tangy sauce works really well with salmon, and it's why sour cream-dill sauce over salmon is such a classic. Try mixing in curry powder, Sriracha, or scallions into yogurt or crème fraîche for an easy, elegant salmon topper.

What happens if you don't rinse salmon before cooking? ›

No, it is generally not necessary to wash salmon fillets before cooking them. In fact, it is often recommended to avoid washing raw poultry, meat, or fish, including salmon, as it can increase the risk of spreading bacteria to other surfaces in your kitchen.

If your burners run hot, go with a heat level that's closer to medium. For salmon that's the same doneness all the way through, remove the pan from the heat after searing and cover. The residual heat from the pan will continue cooking the fillets without overcooking them.

Wrap your salmon in a parchment packet with aromatics, citrus, veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil. The steam trapped in the packet will infuse the fish with flavor and cook it gently, making it tender and juicy. Bonus: The parchment packets only take about 15 minutes at 425°F and the cleanup is minimal.

Always Start with the Fillets Skin-Side Down

While the salmon will cook on both sides, the process should always start by adding the fish to the pan skin-side down. The skin is tough and durable, and can withstand more time on the hot surface of the pan without overcooking the salmon.

Warm a large nonstick skillet with oil over medium-low heat. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Raise the heat to medium-high. Place the salmon, skin-side up in the pan.