Perfectly Pan Seared Salmon

Pan searing is a simple and versatile way to prepare salmon fillets. In this comprehensive tutorial, you’ll learn tips, techniques, and my favorite equipment for making tender, crisp-skinned, restaurant-quality pan seared salmon at home.

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In this article (click headings to jump)
What to Buy at the Market
Equipment
i. Pan
ii. Fish Spatula
Technique
i. Prep
ii. Searing
iii. Testing for Doneness
Serving

What to Buy at the Market

When shopping for salmon, look for the freshest possible fish at the seafood market or counter. The fillets should be moist in appearance, without a fishy odor. (If using frozen salmon fillets, defrost them fully before cooking.)

I like to buy skin-on fillets that are 6 to 8 ounces each and measure about 1- to 1-½ inches thick. Even if you don’t plan to eat the salmon skin, cooking the fish skin-on yields the juiciest, most-evenly cooked fillet. For consistent cooking results, buy fillets that are of a similar weight and thickness.

Note that very thick salmon fillets aren’t the best choice for an exclusively pan-seared cooking method. (The skin will over-crisp before the fillet is cooked. These fillets are better suited to roasting, or pan-searing and finishing in the oven.)

For the same reason (as well as maneuverability in the pan), I prefer to pan-sear portioned fillets rather than a single, larger cut of fish.

Pan-searing is an excellent cooking method for either farmed or wild salmon varieties. Brush up on the salmon varieties you’ll find at the market with A Guide to Every Type of Salmon You Can Buy from Food & Wine.

When ordering your salmon, ask your fishmonger to remove the pin bones from the fillets and descale the skin.

Equipment You’ll Need

The Pan

To sear salmon on the stove, you’ll need a large frying pan. I use either a 10-inch or 12-inch depending on the size of my fillets, and how many I’m cooking. (For the best results, don’t crowd the pan; 2 fillets is generally my max.)

My favorite types of pans to use for searing fish are clad stainless steel, carbon steel, enameled cast iron, and my GreenPan (Thermolon™ coated aluminum).

I find that clad stainless steel and well-seasoned carbon steel pans yield the crispiest skin. My favorite clad frying pans are from Made In and All Clad. I’m also a fan of Made In’s carbon steel frying pans.

When using cast iron to sear salmon, I prefer to use an enameled surface, such as my Staub 12-inch Fry Pan. Regular cast iron can absorb the flavors and oils of the fish, which can be an issue when cooking other foods later.

While I don’t usually reach for nonstick pans when searing, the exception is my GreenPan ceramic frying pan. While the skin doesn’t turn out quite as crispy as the other surfaces, it’s particularly easy to work with for a quick weeknight dinner.

The Fish Spatula

For the best success when pan-cooking seafood, a fish spatula is an essential tool. (You might also see it called a “fish turner” or “offset slotted spatula”.) These thin spatulas are a bit flexible, making it easy to maneuver delicate fillets in and out of the pan.

When pan-searing salmon, you’ll use the spatula for two purposes. 1.) turning the fillets in the pan/removing them when cooked; and, 2.) keeping the fillets from pulling in on themselves when they first hit the hot cooking surface.

I own two fish spatulas that I love; the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Fish Turner and Wusthof Gourmet Offset Spatula, 6-½ inch. You can’t go wrong with either choice.

How to Pan Sear Salmon

Prepping the Fillets

For even cooking, I let my salmon fillets stand at room temperature (70 degrees F) for about 15 minutes. When fillets are fresh-out-of-the-fridge, it’s difficult to perfectly crisp the skin and cook the fish at the same rate.

Also, very cold fillets hitting a hot pan are more likely to cause albumin to push out of the surface; i.e. the white stuff you sometimes see on cooked salmon.

Like steaks or chicken, you’ll get the best browning and crispiest skin if extra moisture is removed from the surface. Right before you’re ready to cook the fillets, pat them dry with paper towels on all sides.

I like to keep my seasonings simple with a sprinkling of kosher or sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper. For the best results, season the fillets just before searing so the salt doesn’t draw out moisture.

Searing the Fillets

I like start my salmon fillets skin-side down, and refrain from flipping until the fish is mostly cooked. The skin creates a barrier between the delicate flesh and direct heat for the most succulent fillet.

For the crispiest skin and crust, I get my pan pretty hot to start. Test the dry pan by shaking a few drops of water into it. The droplets should dance around the pan for a few seconds before evaporating. Add enough oil to just cover the bottom of the pan, and give it a moment to shimmer.

Once the fillets are in the pan, lower the heat to medium or medium low (depending on the stove, pan, and thickness of the fillets) to cook them through at a more moderate temperature.

Safety note: When adding the fillets to the pan, the fish’s moisture content (even though you’ve patted it dry), will create a little oil splatter. Gently lay each fillet into the pan from the front to the back, moving in a direction away from you.

As soon as the fillets are in the pan, you’ll notice that they start to pull in on themselves toward the center. Use your fish spatula to gently press them down to help regain their original thickness.

How To Know When Pan Seared Salmon is Ready

The first step in judging doneness is knowing when to flip the fillets. As the salmon cooks on the skin side, watch the side of the fillet. You’ll start to see the color change from a more vibrant, translucent coral, to a lighter, opaque shade.

When that line reaches about 75% up the side of the fillet, it’s time to flip. This typically takes between 5 and 9 minutes, depending on the salmon’s thickness.

Trying to flip and the salmon skin is stuck? Give it another minute or two and try again. If the fillet was seared with sufficient oil in a well-heated pan, the skin will naturally release when it’s ready.

The fillets will only need a few minutes on the second side. To determine doneness, take the temperature of the fillet with an instant-read thermometer. The FDA recommends an internal cooking temperature of 145 degrees F in the thickest part of the fillet.

Many chefs prefer to cook salmon to a temperature of 120 to 125 degrees F to retain juiciness. A lower internal temperature is particularly desirable when working with wild fillets. When cooking farmed fillets, I like mine cooked to 125-130 degrees F.*

*Disclaimer: consuming raw or undercooked seafood may increase your risk of food-borne illness.

Serving Pan Seared Salmon

You can serve pan-seared salmon with or without the crispy skin. If you’re leaving the skin on, serve the fish skin-side up. To remove it, gently slide your spatula between the fish and skin from each end to loosen, and lift the fillet in one piece.

A good piece of fish needs minimal treatment after cooking to be delicious. I usually serve pan-seared salmon with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and chopped fresh herbs, or a simple sauce. Some of our favorites are Beurre Blanc, Lemon-Caper Vinaigrette, Tzatziki, or Honey-Ginger Sauce.

We also love these fillets topped with a scoop of Cherry Tomato Confit, or flaked into a warm entree salad, such as my Seared Salmon and Couscous Salad.

Easy Side Dish Ideas

• Haricots Verts with Lemon-Herb Brown Butter
• Greek-Inspired Orzo Salad with Feta
• Arugula and Fennel Salad
• Simple Sweet Corn Succotash

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