Pan Seared Salmon

Our restaurant quality Pan Seared Salmon is a healthy and delicious weeknight meal that is so easy! These perfectly cooked salmon fillets are flaky on the inside and have the most amazing golden crust. Made with minimal ingredients and our whole family continues to request them again and again!

The Best Pan Seared Salmon

Some people feel intimidated to cook salmon, but we are here to assure you that it is super simple. No matter if you want to pan sear salmon (our favorite way), grill salmon, air fry salmon, smoke salmon, or baked salmon in foil… we are here to show you just how easy this simple cooking technique is! And these perfectly crispy salmon can be enjoyed so many different ways with so many different seasonings. This healthy salmon recipe makes the perfect quick and healthy meal for those busy weeknights!

Looking for More Fish Recipes?

If you love them as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Pan Seared Halibut + Lemon Beurre Blanc!

What You Will Need

fresh salmon fillets – we highly recommend wild caught salmon over farmed salmon and that it is fresh from your local grocery store or fish market! Frozen works too, but make sure they are fully thawed before cooking.
olive oil – use a little bit on the salmon and some in the non-stick pan with the option to sub with avocado oil, if you prefer.
salt & pepper – simple seasonings that are always a must!

How To Pan Sear Salmon

The first steps to making this great recipe are to pat dry the salmon fillets with paper towels, rub down with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Raw salmon covered in oil, salt, and pepper on a plate.

Now bring a large nonstick skillet to a medium high heat and add a tablespoon of oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Place salmon, skin-side up and the flesh side of the salmon down on the hot oil to sear for about 4-5 minutes.

Salmon fillets searing in a cast iron skillet with the skin-side up.

Carefully flip over each salmon fillet in the hot skillet. We love using a our trusty fish spatula. Transfer the hot pan to the middle rack of the oven and bake at 400 degrees F for 10-14 minutes cook time or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (use an instant-read thermometer) and they are golden brown. Exact timing will depend on the thickness of the fillets.

Salmon fillets in a skillet after being flipped and the skin-side is now down.

Best Ways To Serve Pan Seared Salmon

This perfect pan-seared salmon can be used in so many different ways! Make a salmon rice bowl, salmon tacos, or just enjoy these tender salmon fillets on a plate with some delicious side dish recipes. A few of our favorite sides are brown rice, roasted broccolini, or steamed asparagus. The options are endless for this flaky salmon!

Pan seared salmon fillets in a skillet after coming out of the oven.

Other Seasoning Options

We kept this recipe card very simple and just used olive, salt, and pepper. However, feel free to add other flavors to really level up your seared salmon. Our salmon marinade or salmon seasoning would be great on this. Or try a garlic butter sauce, blackened seasoning, lemon butter sauce, or another one of your favorite seasonings.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use frozen salmon?

Absolutely! Just make sure you thaw it fully before you start cooking.

What side of salmon do you sear first?

We recommend starting with the skin-side of the salmon up and the flesh down in the pan. This gives the salmon meat a wonderful crispness that is so yummy!

Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!

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