This pan-seared salmon has crispy skin and golden on the outside yet flakey and juicy on the inside with a garlic butter sauce topped with slices of fresh lemon.
If you like salmon recipes, try our Grilled Salmon or the Cheesy Ranch Salmon.
Pan-Seared Salmon Recipe-
Pan-searing the salmon is such a quick and delicious method to prepare salmon. The ingredients in the recipe are so simple and will pair with just about any side making the salmon a go-to really for just about any occasion.
Ingredients for Salmon Pan-Seared:
- Salmon: Make sure your salmon is fresh or completely thawed before starting. Frozen salmon will not work in this recipe.
- Seasoning: Just classic seasoning of salt and pepper is all you need.
- Butter + Oil: The oil will give the salmon skin its crispiness and the butter will make up the sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds so much flavor.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon slices give the lemon butter sauce a slightly acidic kick, enhancing the fish.
- Herbs: Pair this salmon with your herbs to garnish, we like cilantro or parsley.
How to Make Pan-Seared Salmon-
This recipe comes together so quickly so you want to make sure your sides will be ready as salmon is best enjoyed fresh.
- Cut salmon- Cut your salmon fillets, we cut them into four.
- Season fish- With a paper towel pat dry the room temperature salmon and season the salmon with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Heat pan- Add the olive oil to the skillet and get it hot oven on medium-high heat. A cast-iron skillet that’s good quality works great.
- Sear salmon- Place salmon flesh side down and pan-sear salmon for 3-4 minutes undisturbed.
- Add garlic butter- Flip salmon, cook another 2 minutes and add the butter with garlic.
- Add lemon- Cook salmon for another 1-2 minutes. Add salmon slices over top of the salmon and pour the butter garlic sauce over the salmon.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy.
Serve with-
You can serve the easy salmon dish in so many different ways for a quick and easy dinner or hearty lunch.
- Entree- Serve as a main entree with Mashed Potatoes, Baked Rice, or even simple white Rice.
- Salad- Substitute chicken in our popular Cobb Salad with the salmon.
- Bowl- Enjoy it as a hearty salmon bowl with rice and veggies like spinach and tomatoes
- Vegetable- With a side of vegetables like Baked Asparagus, or Roasted Broccoli.
- Sandwich- As a sandwich with fresh Bagels, drizzled with fresh lemon juice, and red onion, topped with capers.
- Meal planning- This recipe is great if you meal plan and prep several days of meals
Storing-
- Fridge- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Freeze- The salmon may be easily frozen in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months.
- Reheat- Reheat the leftover salmon over low heat until reheated.
More Seafood Recipes:
If you love this salmon recipe, here are more popular seafood recipes to try:
Pan-Seared Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pat salmon down with a paper towel and cut the salmon in four parts.
- Season salmon on both sides with salt and pepper.
- High oil over high/med heat.
- Flip salmon and add in butter, galic and add slices to top of the salmon.
- Squeeze fresh lemon over salmon and pour the butter over tops of the salmon.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy.