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.

Salmon Method: Poached in Olive Oil

Heat over low heat until the oil reaches 120 degrees F, at which point you'll transfer the entire pan to a 225-degree F preheated oven for 25 minutes. Results: I will admit that this method yielded the best-tasting salmon — but what would you expect from cooking something in fat?

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.

Firmness: Cooked salmon should be firm but still moist. When you press down gently on the flesh with a fork or your finger, it should feel slightly resistant but still give way easily. If the salmon is still hard or resists your fork, it needs more time to cook. If it is mushy or falls apart, it may be overcooked.

It's important to clean salmon before cooking as doing so can remove surface contaminants and bacteria. Pathogens may be present in fish, causing foodborne illnesses you can easily avoid through cleaning. Washing your salmon also eliminates impurities like sand and dirt, creating a clean canvas for cooking.

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.

Use a cooking oil with a high smoke point, like canola oil, sunflower oil, or avocado oil. Using an oil with a low smoke point, such as extra virgin olive oil, will cause that oil to burn in the pan & will not allow you to get a proper sear on your salmon.

Do you put oil on salmon before cooking? ›

Baked salmon is best when cooked at 425°F in the oven.

We recommend baking the salmon uncovered. Simply rub the fillets with a little oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then place them in the roasting pan skin-side down before popping them in the oven.

Cooking Crispy Skin Salmon in a Pan

Start by placing the skin side of the salmon down onto the preheated pan and crisping for 1 minute at 450°F (232°C). Then reduce the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and follow the guide for the recommended times to cook each side, based on the thickness and your desired doneness.

Directions: Bake salmon at 400 degrees for 8 minutes after searing it on a pan set to medium to high heat for 4 minutes .

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.

Cook Through on Skin Side Before Flipping

This is the big trick for salmon. Salmon skin typically has a thick layer of fat underneath it. This fat needs to be rendered to get the skin crisp and pleasant.

Baked salmon is best when cooked at 425°F in the oven.

We recommend baking the salmon uncovered. Simply rub the fillets with a little oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then place them in the roasting pan skin-side down before popping them in the oven.