How to Cook Salmon

4.53 from 17 votes
Recipe IndexRecipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read myย privacy policy.

Learn how to cook salmon with this easy recipe. It takes 5 minutes to cook salmon in a pan on the stove. Juicy, moist and tender salmon fillet with salt, pepper and paprika.

How to cook salmon with salmon fillet in a pan on the stove.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Salmon

Salmon is one of the most popular fish in the United States.

Salmon is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and a great source of protein.

How to cook salmon with salmon fillet.

More importantly, you can buy salmon in any grocery stores, making it one of the easiest fish recipes for dinner.


How To Cook Salmon

How to cook salmon on the stove? Picture of salmon cooked on the stove.

How to cook salmon in a pan? How to cook salmon on the stove?

These are two of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to cooking salmon.

In this easy recipe, you are going to learn how to cook salmon fillet in a pan on the stove.


How Long To Cook Salmon On The Stove

How to cook salmon fillet in a pan? Picture of salmon in pan, after cooking for 5 minutes.

For regular salmon fillet that is about 1 1/2 inches in thickness, it takes about 3 minutes to cook on each side.

First, add some cooking oil to a pan. Next cook both sides of the fish until slightly charred and the inside is just cooked through, about 5 minutes total time.

If your salmon is slightly thicker, cook for an extra 1-2 minutes.


Cooking Tips For Moist And Juicy Salmon

Moist and juicy salmon fillet after cooking in a pan.

For the best, perfect and tender salmon, please follow my cooking tips and techniques below.

  • Brush or coat olive oil on both sides of the salmon filet before cooking. Olive oil will make sure that your salmon remains moist and juicy after cooking in the pan on the stove.
  • Season the salmon fillet with kosher salt or sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Season generously with paprika or smoked paprika for some heat.
  • Cook the salmon on high heat in a pan. Each side takes about 2-3 minutes to cook.
  • Do not overcook the salmon or the texture will become dry and tough.
  • Serve the salmon with lemon wedges. Squeeze the lemon juice on the salmon before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of pan can I use?

You can use all kinds of pan, for examples: stainless steel pan or skillet, non-stick pan or skillet, or cast-iron pan or skillet.
I personally like non-stick or cast-iron pan.
Both pans deliver the best result when it comes to cooking salmon fillet on the stove.

How to cook frozen salmon?

I don’t recommend cooking frozen salmon right out of a freezer.
Thaw frozen salmon to room temperature, then pat dry with paper towels.
Brush the salmon with olive oil and season with kosher salt, ground black pepper and smoked paprika before cooking in the pan on the stove.

How many calories per serving?

This recipe is only 224 calories per serving.

Flaky salmon after cooking on the stove.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Serve salmon with side dishes. For a healthy meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on FacebookPinterest, and Instagram for new updates.


Other Salmon Recipes You Might Like

Freshly baked cod fillet with seasonings crust on a plate, garnished with lemon slices and herbs.
5 Secrets to 20-Minute Dinners
FREE EMAIL BONUS: How would it feel to have dinner DONE in 20 minutes? I’ll show you how!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
4.53 from 17 votes

How to Cook Salmon

Learn how to cook salmon with this easy recipe. It takes 10 minutes to cook salmon in a pan on the stove. Juicy, moist and tender salmon fillet with salt, pepper and paprika.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 People
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients  

  • 8 oz (230g) salmon fillet
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Kosher salt , or sea salt flakes
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions 

  • Rinse the salmon fillet with cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
  • Brush or coat 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil on both sides of the salmon.
  • Sprinkle salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika on both sides of the salmon fillet.
    Salmon with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a pan over high heat. When the pan is fully heated, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the salmon for 2 to 3 minutes, without moving it.
    Cooking salmon in a pan on the stove.
  • Turn the salmon over and cook the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the inside is just cooked through. Do not overcook, as this will keep the salmon moist and juicy inside.
  • Top the salmon with chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges. Squeeze lemon juice over the salmon before eating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 224kcal, Carbohydrates: 0.3g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 62mg, Sodium: 50mg, Potassium: 567mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 296IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 15mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Please rate and comment below!

About Rasa Malaysia

Bee is a recipe developer and best-selling cookbook author, sharing easy, quick, and delicious Asian and American recipes since 2006. With a strong following of almost 2 million fans online, her expertise has been featured in major publications, TV and radio programs, and live cooking demos throughout the United States and Asia.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





5 Comments

  1. Tammi says:

    How do I keep the white protein from coming out of the salmon while cooking?

    1. Bee Yinn Low says:

      Don’t overcook.

  2. Angelina says:

    Does coating the salmon with olive oil also prevent the hot oil in the pan from splashing?

    1. Bee Yinn Low says:

      It helps!

  3. Beatriz says:

    5 stars
    I love salmon, thanks for teaching me how to cook salmon.