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A perfectly cooked quick pan seared salmon fillet, golden-brown and flaky.

Classic Quick Pan Seared Salmon

Achieve perfectly crispy-skinned salmon in minutes with this simple and classic pan-searing method.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 fillets
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron or stainless steel)
  • Spatula

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 fillets Salmon Fillets 6 oz each, skin-on
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Garnish (Optional)

  • Fresh lemon wedges
  • fresh dill

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Pat the salmon fillets very dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.

Cooking

  • Place a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the salmon fillets skin-side down into the hot pan.
  • Press gently for 30 seconds to ensure even contact, then cook undisturbed for 4-6 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy and the flesh is two-thirds cooked.
  • Carefully flip the salmon and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the flesh side until cooked through and moist.

Serving

  • Remove the salmon from the pan and serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh lemon juice and dill.

Notes

Ensuring the salmon is very dry is key for a super crispy skin.