This simple and deliciously crispy Pan Seared Salmon is a wonderful dinner recipe that can be ready in 15 minutes!
Fresh salmon is such an easy, healthy meal to add to your weekly meal planning. Recipes like this one and also this Citrus Roasted Salmon are our favorite ways to prepare it. No matter which method you like best, learning how to cook salmon is a must!
Who knew that simple salmon cooked on the stove could be such winner? This pan seared salmon recipe is restaurant quality!
A lot of recipes I see are for baking salmon in the oven. When I need something super quick and easy to make for dinner, this salmon recipe is my go-to often because there is hardly any prep needed. Plus salmon is full of protein, healthy omega-3 fat and other vitamins that we need.
When cooking salmon in a pan, I sprinkle both sides with a little garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and a tad of cayenne pepper. Then seared it in a little coconut oil, olive oil or butter. When it’s done, squeeze a little lemon juice over top.
There is no need to remove the skin before cooking the salmon fillets. Place the skin side down in the pan for the first 4-5 minutes of cooking.
How to Make the Best Salmon in a Pan
Heat oil in a frying pan on medium high heat.
Sprinkle the fillets of salmon evenly with spices, salt and pepper on both sides.
Place fillets into preheated pan, skin side down, and cook about 4-5 minutes. (Resist the urge to flip to soon)
Then flip it very carefully and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
Serve immediately.
ENJOY!
Pro Tips:
Do not to overcook your salmon. It is done when it flakes easily, which is typically takes about 4-5 minutes per side for the average salmon fillet thickness.
Serve salmon with rice, pasta or roasted potatoes. Add a simple vegetable like broccoli, asparagus, spinach or zucchini.
Add additions flavors to the finished product. I often top it with a mixture of soy sauce and ginger paste for an Asian flavored dish.
You could even top it with a corn salsa or cucumber avocado salsa as well. There are so many possibilities!
Try these other popular seafood recipes as well:
Shrimp Zoodles in Thai Coconut Sauce
Pan Seared Salmon
Ingredients
- 3 fillets salmon
- 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
- ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper more or less to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a frying pan on medium high heat.
- Sprinkle the fillets of salmon evenly with spices on both sides.
- Place fillets into preheated pan and cook on the first side until it is cooked about half way through, about 4-5 minutes).
- Then turn and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
- ENJOY!!
Jon
Wow! Amazing. I thought I knew how to cook salmon. Now I really do. I added lemon slices too and server on a bed of wild rice. The whole family loved it. Soooo Good! Thanks
Donna Baker
OMG! Super easy and SO delicious!!! A new weekly menu item,with salad and fresh veggies of my choice!!! Just make the salmon is good and fresh!!!
Thanks for the recipe!!!
Donna Baker
Make sure the salmon is good and fresh!
Irene Younger
I had just cooked up my salmon the other night but today I’m going to take a test today so I was trying to figure out a way to do something with my canned salmon and coconut oil. So I took this recipe and cut the oil and spices in half, lightly warmed that in a pan and tossed in my can of salmon. Stirred for one minute then put it on crackers. Came out as a tasty and low fat way to get those two super foods. Had a side of blueberries and walnuts. Added a green tea. Perfect combo of brain super food before my test. Thank you!
Vicki Griffiyh
Really enjoy salmon this way and so does my husband. Easy too.
Miz Helen
Your Pan Seared Salmon looks awesome and will be featured on Whats For Dinner Next Week on The Menu next week. Wishing you and your family a bountiful Thanksgiving and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Hope to see you again soon!
Miz Helen
April J Harris
It’s so wonderful when kids finally decide they like something we do! My son still isn’t keen on salmon at 22, although he will eat it if he has to! It’s definitely one of our favourites too and I love how you have prepared it here. Thank you for sharing it with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood
This looks so great and simple! I’ve been craving salmon something crazy since I got pregnant !
Cath
That sounds about the right age for them to start trying out foods although my daughter was closer to 15 and my now 26yo son will still not eat tomatoes…grrrr! but I myself only started eating salmon about 8 years ago because I thought it was hard to cook! Great post to encourage more people to try this wonderful fish.
GiGi Eats
Wow, did you sear that salmon to perfection, OR WHAT! I am the salmon perfectionist and I must say….. TOP NOTCH! And I want to eat it….. STEAL IT off you plate, LOL!
Sherri
THANK YOU Dear!!
Aliza B
My oldest will not eat fish. I will have to try this recipe and see if she likes it.
Melanie Redd
Hey Sherri,
Yum! This salmon looks wonderful! I am going to have to try this recipe for my family.
Came over on Modest Mom. Love you site, and love your photos!
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie