There’s something so comforting about perfectly crispy salmon with tender, flaky centers. This pan-seared version feels restaurant-worthy but comes together fast in your own kitchen. It’s simple, cozy, and ideal for both weeknights and quiet weekend dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels and season evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Heat a large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
- Add olive oil to the hot pan, then place salmon fillets skin-side down, pressing gently for the first 10 seconds.
- Cook skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and releases easily from the pan.
- Flip the salmon carefully, add butter to the pan, and spoon it over the fillets.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes until just cooked through. Remove from heat and serve with lemon wedges.
Tip
Dry salmon is the secret to crispy skin. Don’t rush the first side, letting it sear undisturbed makes all the difference.
This crispy salmon is perfect with a simple salad or roasted veggies, so save it now for an easy go-to dinner.
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Pan-Seared Crispy Salmon
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Simple pan-seared salmon with ultra-crispy skin and tender flaky centers, ready in minutes.
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels and season evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
2. Heat a large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
3. Add olive oil to the hot pan, then place salmon fillets skin-side down, pressing gently for the first 10 seconds.
4. Cook skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and releases easily from the pan.
5. Flip the salmon carefully, add butter to the pan, and spoon it over the fillets.
6. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until just cooked through. Remove from heat and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
Drying the salmon well and letting it cook undisturbed ensures the crispiest skin.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American