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A perfectly cooked crispy pan seared salmon fillet with golden skin

Classic Crispy Pan Seared Salmon Fillet

Learn how to cook the perfect crispy pan-seared salmon with this easy-to-follow recipe. Achieve a beautiful golden-brown skin and tender, flaky flesh every time.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 fillets
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 Salmon Fillets (about 170g) each, skin-on, center-cut
  • 1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
  • 1 tablespoon Butter (optional)
  • Flaky Sea Salt to taste
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
  • 1 Lemon for serving, cut into wedges
  • Fresh Herbs (optional), such as dill or parsley, for garnish

Equipment

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

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, then add olive oil (and butter, if desired) until shimmering hot.
  3. Carefully place the salmon skin-side down and press gently for the first 30 seconds to ensure even contact.
  4. Cook undisturbed for 4-6 minutes until the flesh turns opaque and the skin is golden brown and crispy.
  5. Gently flip the salmon and cook for another 1-3 minutes until cooked through to your liking.
  6. Remove from the pan, let rest for a minute, then serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh herbs.

Notes

For best results, make sure your pan is very hot before adding the salmon to achieve maximum crispiness on the skin. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.